Before getting your heart set on your first bareboat sailing adventure there are a few things you should know.

Demise Charter/Bareboat Charter - The owner of the yacht is relinquishing all control of his/her valuable asset to you. This should be carefully considered for a moment. The responsibility of taking a yacht that may be worth anything from $40,000 to over $1,000,000 into uncertain sea conditions really warrants some sobering self evaluation. In no uncertain terms, the yacht is to be returned in the condition it was taken, and any discrepencies will cost you the same that it would cost the yacht owner to rectify. And if you think about it, would you yourself want anything less if it were your boat?

Qualifications - The charter company wants the boat back in clean, good working order with no damage. You shouldn't take a boat on your own unless you are confident that you can return the yacht in that condition. There are very good courses offered by US Sailing, ASA, or RYA. The skills must be practiced to be retained, so if you haven't been sailing in a year or more since you took the course, don't count on the charter manager giving much credence to your qualifications. In our contracts, we specify that the Skipper be able to maintain the boat as well. This is important because the systems on the yacht do not last very long if not maintained properly. Sails must be covered, engines need oil, belts occaisionally need tightening, water stainers need cleaning, batteries must stay charged, and a clean boat is a safe boat, etc. etc. If there is any doubt in your mind let the charter company know in advance that you will need a captain or instructor for at least a few days.

The Checkout - This is an inspection of the yacht and crash course on all of its systems and idiosyncracies. This procedure is extremely important. Firstly, if there is anything funky about the boat that you don't think you can live with, you shouldn't accept delivery and the charter company should try to fix it immediately. A few reasonable examples: the starter doesn't turn over or engage consistently; the battery levels are low, the toilet doesn't flush, running lights don't work. In general, anything that violates federal regulations or potentially could endanger the vessel or its crew. As the manager goes through how to work each system, take some notes. It is very likely that you will not remember everything and it is your responsibility to repair or replace anything you break through misuse (i.e. not following the specific instructions given you at checkout) Additionally, you will have to pay for any emergency chase calls if they are caused by your lack of attentativeness during the checkout.

Locations - Some locations are perfect for the novice bareboater and that will explain why there are so many boats around. The British Virgin Islands are probably the easiest place to sail. The water is clear; the weather is usually perfect, the islands are all within sight of each other. and there are mooring balls everywhere you need to go. While the BVI are a wonderful cruising ground, there are many who have been there several times and are ready for a different adventure and maybe something more challenging, in other words, the real world.

Bahamas

Pros: Beautiful scenery, clear water, beautiful reefs, good fishing, good diving, not very busy, good surfing, diversity, peaceful
Cons: Winter weather can be dramatic, hurricanes in late summer, isolated, provisions and fuel can be far apart, quiet and unpopulated, customs
Skill Level: Intermediate Bareboater, strong navigation skills

Florida Keys

Pros: Good reefs, great nightlife, good fishing, clear water, relaxing, good provisioning, many marinas
Cons: Mostly marsh and mangrove, not many really stunning beaches, One direction cruising, sparingly on good anchorages
Skill Level: Novice to Intermediate Bareboater

Dry Tortugas

Pros: Beautiful scenic islands with historic Fort Jefferson, clear water, great fishing, great diving
Cons: Many park restrictions, open water sailing to and from, overnight cruising to and from, weather can be dramatic, no services or provisions
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced Bareboater, Advanced Navigator, Novice Offshore Passagemaker

Naples/Marco Island/Everglades City

Pros: 10,000 Islands are a naturalists playground, nice beaches, good inshore fishing, fun nightlife, good provisions, no crowds south of Marco
Cons: shallow water, limited anchorages, returning against a NW cold front is tough, highly suggest weather contingency plans with charter co.
Skill Level: Novice to Intermediate Bareboater, Advanced Navigator

Sanibel/Captiva/Fort Myers

Pros: Beautiful beaches, fun bars and restaurants, good shopping, beautiful islands, good provisioning, intracoastal waterway, inshore fishing
Cons: Lots of shallow water, complex inlets, poor diving, not many nice reefs
Skill Level: Novice to Intermediate Bareboater, Advanced Navigator

British Virgin Islands

Pros: Great beaches, clear water, great diving, good fishing, fun nightlife, easy navigation
Cons: Slightly arid, too easy, crowded anchorages, travel cost and airfare, customs
Skill Level: Novice to Intermediate Bareboater, Novice Navigator

Costa Rica

Pros: Beautiful scenery, great beaches, big surfing, many rivers and anchorages, great fishing, complete isolation from crowds, calm weather
Cons: Isolation, few provisions and fuel, very few marinas, bad roads, no assistance in emergencies, no coast guard
Skill Level: Advanced Bareboater, Advanced Navigator, Very Self Reliant Cruiser

Important Information - The following information will help us efficiently and accurately match your needs when you call or email.

• Target Date.
• Power or Sail.
• Bareboat, Captained Only, or Fully Crewed.
• Cruising Region - Carib, Med, Bahamas, FL, Costa Rica, New England.
• Number of Private Staterooms Required.
• Multihull or Monohull.
• Number of weeks chartering.
• Any extras like Diving or Sailing Instruction?

The Booking Process - Like most other charter companies, we require a few things to make a Bareboat Reservation.

1. Experienced Designated Skipper - The designated skipper's experience level must meet the requirements of the Base Manager. This usually means that you will need a US Sailing, ASA, or RYA Bareboat Certification. Otherwise you will need to submit a resume that shows ample experience on a similar sized boat. It is up to the discretion of the Base Manager to evaluate your comfort level with the boat. If they feel that you are not up to a skill level necessary to ensure the safety of the boat and crew, than they have the absolute power to assign you a licensed captain either for part of the trip or for the trip in full, at your expense.
2. Cancellation Policies - You need to be committed. Your deposit is almost always unrefundable. You have now booked that boat for a time slot that the charter company can not sell to anyone else. Many of these time period are in high demand and other customers have to be turned away or diverted to another boat or destination. Most charter company contracts may include an optional Vacation Insurance Plan. (Usually supplied by an outside vendor) that will allow you to rebook at a later date if there is bad weather or an emergency causing you to have to cancel.
3. Deposit - 50% is required to reserve your time slot.
4. Final Payment - This is usually due 30 to 45 days in advance of the charter.

Other Misc Tips

1. Schedule time for provisioning the boat when you arrive, or ask the charter company about having the provisions brought to the boat by a provisioner.
2. Chart Briefing and Boat Briefing will also eat up some of your time when you arrive.
3. Snorkel Gear. Remember to bring Snorkel Gear.
4. Dive Gear. Arrange for tanks and rental gear in advance.
5. Don't be too ambitious your first day. Pick a close destination, get to know the boat a little.
6. If it is summertime - consider boats with airconditioning. Nights can be hot and humid without. Also this usually means that you will need to put aside money for nightly dockage, unless the boat has a generator.
7. Keep things neat as possible during the charter. A boat is not like home, where things can be strewn about. Only bring what you absolutely need and keep it in its place when not using it. If captained, your skipper is not their to clean up after you or your kids. This is a safety concern. In this kitchen and cockpit this is a health concern.
8. Communications - Best to let the cell phones and computer go for your vacation, but if that is impossible, ask the charter company about your options.

Toll Free: 866-561-2175 | Email: charters@360yachting.com