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Charter

Charter: Bareboat, Crewed or Flotilla?

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Bareboat, crewed or sailing with a group in a flotilla each presents totally different experiences when chartering a sailing vacation.

When chartering a sailing vacation, what’s the best way to go? It is possible to go it alone with a bareboat, get a captain for a crewed experience, or tag along with a group of sailboats in a flotilla. It depends on your level of sailing and cruising skills, your tolerance for others aboard, how much work you’re willing to do on vacation and how much money you’re willing to spend.

Bareboat Charter

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A bareboat charter is generally cheaper than a crewed charter, but, you and your crew are responsible for the successful outcome.

1. Bareboat – The most common way to get your sailing fix and explore a new destination is to charter a boat that you will provision, navigate, dock and be responsible for on your own.

a. Minimum assistance – There will be a minimum of assistance in how you plan and execute your vacation. You will need to find the appropriate vessel, load it with food and drinks, decide on an itinerary and then sail, anchor and care for it yourself.

b. Bareboat doesn’t mean bare service – Most charter companies will help select a vessel and will offer partial provisioning which means they will provide the basics of a few meals (at a price) and deliver them to you prior to departure. They will also provide charts and a briefing on local attractions, hazards, weather and your boat’s equipment.

c. There are several large companies – These charter companies are all around the world that specialize in this service. The Moorings, Sunsail, MarineMax Vacations, Dream Yacht Charters, Footloose, as well as many regional outfits provide good boats and administrative personnel to help.

d. The pluses of bareboat chartering – You pick your specific location and make all the decisions aboard. You also have the satisfaction of achievement.

e. The challenges – It is important to know how to sail, dock and manage a boat, and navigating the nuances of a destination including safety issues, language barriers and cultural differences.

Crewed Charter

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A crewed charter entails chartering both a boat and the crew that comes along with it. This can be beneficial, especially when there is a lot of equipment that requires special handling, such as the amount of water toys on this yacht. It also relieves the charterer of the responsibilities of navigation and maintenance while underway.

2. Crewed – If you’d rather leave the driving and the details to someone else or would like instruction during your vacation, you may wish to find companies that offer crewed charters. On yachts below 60 feet, a crew can consist of a captain only or of a captain and chef/mate.

a. Crewed charter companies – Many of the same companies that offer bareboat charters also off crewed charters at additional costs.

b. The pluses of a crewed charter – With a captain, you need not worry about knowing how to sail. Captains will manage the boat and usually take you to the most popular parts of your cruising grounds. They will know details of what to see, where to eat, where to go diving and what to do if the weather turns.

c. The challenges – The downside is that your captain is on your vessel with you and therefore, is a part of the vacation at all times. A professional captain also adds to the charter fee, sometimes significantly, and you will not have that feeling of satisfaction that you’ve done it on your own.

Flotillas: Somewhere in Between

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With a flotilla, there is safety in numbers. Your boat will be one of a group of boats all with the same destination.

3. Flotillas are groups of boats that travel together – Flotilla operators will place you on a boat that you command or place you in a group with a captain. The itineraries are usually somewhat set as are the locations. In other words, if you want to charter in Tahiti or Greece, look for companies that have upcoming trips in those locations.

a. Flotilla operators – Many flotilla operators take care of booking the boats, organizing, provisioning, and providing a captain who may do any or all of the following: managing the boat and troubleshooting, sailing, anchoring, docking, teaching, and being responsible for the safety of the vessel.

b. The benefits of flotilla charters – The value of flotilla sailing is that you get to meet new people, not only on your boat but on all boats that sail with you. It can also be less expensive because you can book as a group or as a single. It’s a good way to visit exotic harbors without having to round up a group of friends to share the costs.

c. The challenges – The downside is that you travel with a fleet. All boats typically anchor in the same location each night although you may be able to convince your captain to take an excursion for the day. Also, unless you book an entire boat, you will be sharing the vessel with others who you do not know. That can either be great or less than fantastic.

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Online research will help you find which companies offer bareboat, crewed and flotilla fleets in all parts of the world.

Any way you approach it, a charter cruise in an exotic location will be an adventure you will treasure for years to come.