Q. How
do I book?
A. EASILY - see the How
to book section.
Q. Can I take babies and young
children sailing?
A. Yes. One of our owners has just taken his son (of three months) on
board! For toddlers invite another person, couple or family along if you
can so there is at least one adult who can crew and one who can be in
charge of children. Most children love being aboard but are not much use
as crew until they get to about 12 years old. Ask about specific safety
features we may be able to put on board such as safety netting. We recommend
you bring your own life jackets although some operators have a range of
sizes available.
Q. Do you organize two centre
holidays, perhaps a villa/hotel?
A. Yes we are happy to help put together holidays with our travel partners
who offer a range of villas and hotels so that the family can enjoy a
holiday ashore and afloat.
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Q. What does “bareboat
charter” mean?
A. It means you hire the sailing boat without skipper or crew for normally
one or two weeks cruising where you decide on your itinerary. You need
appropriate experience and qualifications.
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Q. When is a good time to
go sailing?
A. Any time is a good time to sail!
But seriously the Mediterranean sailing season tends to fit charter flights
from the UK which operate from around 1 May to 31 October. Luckily that
coincides with the best sailing weather in the Med. May, June and September
are popular months if you're not tied to school holidays. In the Caribbean
you can sail all year but the main season runs 1 November to 31 July when
the weather is superb for sailing.
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Q. What qualifications do I
need to charter a bareboat sailing yacht?
A. It depends where you want to charter but, generally, relevant experience
is more important than paper qualifications. Certificates are useful.
You should have sailing experience equivalent to Day Skipper standard,
i.e. basic navigation, sailing and boat handling skills, on a similar
sized yacht and will be assisted by at least one competent crew If you
have no certification, a short sailing résumé, extract of
your log, yacht club reference, or similar
documents to verify your sailing competence may be required.
Even on flotilla you have to be able to skipper your
own yacht so again you should be Day Skipper standard. Some port authorities
in the Mediterranean - currently Majorca, Tenerife, Croatia and Greece
- do require an internationally recognised certificate of competence for
the skipper, e.g. RYA International Certificate of Competence or Day Skipper
Practical. Greece also requires a certificate for 1 crew member, e.g.
RYA Competent Crew, although a short resume of crewing experience will
usually suffice. For bareboat motor yacht charters an international certificate
of competence, e.g. RYA ICC is required by the port authorities in Greece,
Croatia and Majorca.
If you don't have the experience to charter bareboat we can recommend
and help you book sailing courses to get your Day Skipper qualification
or to get the family up to Competent Crew standard.
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Q. Who decides who's 'qualified'
and who isn't?
A. Depending on the country, it may be the yacht owner/operator, or the
local port authority. If it's the port authority and the Skipper (and,
ideally, mate or "co-skipper") has a sailing licence, permit,
or certificate, the port authority will accept this. All you need to do
is provide us with the necessary information (see above) and we'll deal
with all the formalities for you.
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Q. Do I need a professional skipper?
A. Perhaps you cannot satisfy some of the bareboat criteria for the place
you want to sail, in which case a professional skipper may be hired for
any bareboat yacht. This can be for one day or the full charter. Prices
are around £60-£80 per day, but see the individual price lists.
Although not always professional instructors, many skippers are, so if
you specifically wish to learn we can arrange it. Their guidance enables
you to sail the yacht yourself, even if you are inexperienced, safe that
a trained eye is in constant attendance.
A skippered yacht can be a relaxed and informative way
of exploring new cruising grounds, perhaps experimenting with unfamiliar
yachts. Professional skippers are usually very knowledgeable about the
cruising area, enjoying showing people new places and the best “watering
holes”.
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Q. Which days of the week can
I begin and end my charter?
A. It depends on the country and its tradition. In the Mediterranean,
most charters are 7 or 14 days to fit charter flights. Most charters run
Saturday-Saturday or Sunday–Sunday, but some bases have mid-week
start dates to fit charter flights, e.g. Turkey flights are Monday-Monday.
However some fleets will offer odd durations / flexible start dates so
please do ask us.
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Q. What time can I get on and
off my yacht and what about night flights?
A. Mediterranean yachts are not normally ready for embarkation until around
5pm. You may be able to get on earlier if the yacht is ready or it did
not have a “back to back” turnaround. This cannot be guaranteed
in advance. If you arrive late in the evening you will be able to board
your yacht any time during the night and have your check-in the following
morning. We will give more information in your joining instructions.
The yacht must be back at the operating base (not nearby) by 6pm of the
last night of the charter and vacated by 9am on the last day. This is
to allow for cleaning and maintenance of the yacht between charters. If
your return flight is later that day or in the evening you will be able
to leave your luggage at the base while you spend the day on the beach
or sightseeing. Again if it is not a “back to back” you may
be able to stay on longer, or purchase an extra days charter.
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Q. Does a one-week charter
mean a full seven days?
A. It depends on the owner/operator. In the Mediterranean it's usually
seven days less several hours, as charters are booked back-to-back. In
such cases yachts are thoroughly inspected between each charter to ensure
you leave in a safe and reliable vessel. Your booking offer will show
the start and finish times.
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Q. What is included in the
price?
The price you pay and extras will be detailed and explained on your invoice,
we guarantee you no unpleasant surprises. The price structure does vary
between operators and we will point out what is included, as some operators
for example include cleaning whilst others charge extra.
Normally included
- The Charter of the boat
- Linen
- Cooking gas
- Outboard fuel (if supplied)
- Initial marina fees.
You can generally expect to pay the following as extra
to the basic price:
- Flights
- Transfers from airport to base
- Transit log
- Diesel Fuel used during the charter
- Any extras like spinnaker, outboard, skipper, etc.
- Your travel insurance
- Refundable security deposit or collision damage waiver
We ask that you buy suitable travel insurance before leaving home, including
cancellation insurance to protect your booking deposit. (We do not sell
travel insurance).
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Q. What is the yacht security
deposit?
A security deposit is required for all charters against the possibility
of damage to the yacht, loss of equipment or late return. This amount
is refundable and is stated for every yacht we offer. Return the yacht
(and her equipment) in the same condition as you took her and your Security
Deposit will be refunded in full. The cost of rectifying any damage or
loss will be deducted and the balance refunded. Normal wear and tear is
accepted.
Some owners/operators offer a non-refundable alternative to the Security
Deposit. This is a much lower figure than the refundable equivalent and,
like any insurance premium it is not refunded in any circumstances.
For skippered charter the deposit is often at much reduced rate.
All charter yachts are fully insured under marine insurance
policies against loss, damage and third party indemnity. You are expected
to take all reasonable care but in the event of loss or damage to the
yacht and its equipment your liability is limited to the amount of your
security deposit unless such damage or loss was caused by your negligence
or willful damage. It is important that previous sailing experience is
correctly shown on the Booking Form for full indemnity of any risks.
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Q. What do I need to bring
with me?
A. Not much! Every yacht we offer is fully equipped for charter, from
every imaginable viewpoint. Apart from stowing your personal possessions,
you could step aboard any one of them and leave the dock without a further
thought. Clothes should be packed in soft bag type luggage which makes
them ease for storage.
Useful items to pack:
• lightweight waterproof jacket
• sun hat / cap
• non-slip deck shoes
• bath towel
• beach towel
• extra tea-towels
• CDs or cassettes (most have CD players but please check
• mobile phones (in the Mediterranean)
Q. What’s on my yacht?
Please check the individual spec. sheet, but, as a general guide yachts
have roller furling genoa, electric anchor windlass, electric fridge,
hot water, VHF, radio cassette, 12volt cigarette lighter socket, dinghy
with oars, safety and navigational equipment, bedding - sheets, pillows,
pillowcases and blankets. Not all have towels - please check.
galley equipment. log/speedo, sun canopy, bathing platform and deck shower.
Many yachts also have furling mainsail, GPS autopilot, bimini, outboard
for the dinghy.
Yachts in some Mediterranean cruising areas can connect to 220volt shore
power so take a continental adaptor if you want to run a hairdryer, recharge
camcorders, etc.
All charter yachts have safety equipment. These comply with local maritime
regulations which may not match UK standards, lifejackets (foam jackets
for emergency use, not always self-inflating although some are) and harnesses.
For children under 7, we recommend you take their own jacket which is
the right size for your child.
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Q. What about provisioning?
A. Depending on the operator, if you list your requirements two to four
weeks before your charter, your shopping will be brought directly to your
yacht. You will be charged for the shopping at cost price & there
is usually no extra charge for the service.
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Q. Who owns the yachts and
what about back up?
A. Most charter yachts are privately owned and put with a professional
yacht management company who maintain, repair, clean, handle check-ins,
insure the boats and look after local legal requirements etc. Because
they are often owner’s boats and their pride and joy they are well
equipped and maintained. The local operator has a back up and call out
service to cope with any problems. You normally contact the base by VHF
(or mobile phone) for technical assistance and they will either come to
your aid or send a local agent to meet you at your next port of call.
All the yacht charter companies we use have 24 hour emergency telephone
numbers and all have full-time technical staff at the base.
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Q. What does a crewed charter
mean?
A. crewed charter is a yacht (sailing, motor or motor sailer) which has
crew. You are not required to assist in the operation of the yacht.
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Q. What type of crewed yacht
is best for me?
A. The choice of yacht for your cruise is very important. There are three
different types of yachts.
MOTOR YACHTS combine
style, comfort and luxury. Outdoor areas are usually large while their
indoor areas comfortably cater to guests’ requirements. Motor yachts
might be either heavy displacement that generally gives a cruising speed
of between 10 and 14 knots, or fast planing motor yachts capable of continuous
speeds in excess of 20 knots.
MOTOR SAILERS (often
called gullets in Turkey) blend tradition with comfort and the relaxed
experience of sailing. Motor sailers have a more spacious interior than
the performance sailing yacht, and a larger, robust machinery for cruising
under power alone. Other advantages can be the additional deck space for
sunbathing and dining areas plus increased storage for water sports equipment.
SAILING YACHTS rely on
wind and sails aided by an auxiliary engine. Large sailing yachts combine
exhilarating performance under sail with the ability to motor at speeds
of up to 10 knots and luxurious facilities. A wonderful advantage is the
total peace and quiet when the engine is turned off and you sail off into
the sunset.
If you are not sure which is best suited for you, we are happy to discuss
with you all the different options to help you decide.
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Q. Do the yachts have air-conditioning?
A. Most of the motor yachts have air-conditioning. Please ask to confirm.
Please note that in some harbors the authorities do not allow the generators
to run throughout the night. Therefore, if you are on an air-conditioned
yacht you may be unable to run the air-conditioning at all times. In this
case you can anchor outside the port, weather permitting.
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Q. Do the yachts come with
“toys”?
A. Depending on the size and luxury of the yacht they are equipped accordingly.
Most are equipped with snorkeling & fishing gear, windsurfers and
water skis. The larger yachts are equipped with jet skis.
Please note: Among the countries that have brought in severe restrictions
on their use, Greece has recently enforced a law that obliges users to
be certified with speedboat license. Therefore it is always on captain’s
responsibility to choose the appropriate area away from swimmers or other
anchored yachts for usage of all water toys.
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Q. Do the yachts come with
scuba diving equipment?
A. Not normally, instead we suggest the hiring of equipment (boat &
escort guide included) from organised centres where scuba equipment is
available at reasonable rates.
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Q. Can we plan our own itinerary?
A. Generally yes. Weather is unpredictable, and your captain may suggest
an alternative itinerary to your first choice. We will try to accommodate
your requirements and desires, weather permitting.
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Q. What should I pack?
Q. Yacht charter is generally an informal and relaxed kind of holiday
and dressing is casual. For clothing bring bathing suits, cotton shorts,
T-shirts, an extra sweater and long cotton trousers for cool nights and
a light foul-weather gear for the occasional rainy days. Rubber-sole shoes
for a firm grip on slippery decks, to prevent foot injury and to protect
the boat’s surface is always recommended. The crew appreciates soft
luggage instead of bulky space-consuming suitcases since on board storage
may be limited. For sun protection, do bring your favourite sun block
or sunscreen, sunglasses with an anti-ultraviolet coating and a sun hat.
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Q. Will I experience sea sickness?
A. It depends. If you are worried about seasickness there are certain
medications which can help in preventing this. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are new to yacht chartering, let the crew know; they will make
your trip as comfortable as possible by recommending routes in protected
waters and keeping tabs on changing weather conditions.
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Q. What type of shoes should
I bring?
A. It is customary for guests to walk in the interior yacht areas without
shoes. Soft shoes are recommended for the teak deck areas where high heels
can be harmful for these surfaces. Wearing high heels when walking ashore
in the villages in Mediterranean islands, where they are built on various
levels with lots of steps and narrow coble stoned alleys, can be a painful
experience.
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Q. Is smoking allowed on board?
A. For safety reasons for the prevention of fire and additionally to keeping
the interior clean, smoking is not normally allowed in cabins but only
on deck areas and other specified areas.
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