Deep in winter when my "26" is snow bound and I have been cruising the charter ads in the back of my sailing magazines..... How important or necessary is it to hold a "charter boat certification ? Does this ticket get you off the dock quicker ? Does it get you a cheaper rate ? Where in the midwest can you earn-learn this license ?
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Les Murray
I have one
I have Bareboat Cruising and Basic Cruising certifications from US Sailing that I got this summer at J-World in Newport, RI. I am taking my first charter later this month, so I cannot say whether or not it helps. The thing I liked about it is that you get some good structured instruction on how bigger boats work and how to handle them. My cruising class included 5 straight days on a Benneteau 42. The basics are the same, but everything is bigger with more loads and more complex systems. It's a real confidence builder. Les Murray H20 Limerick
I have Bareboat Cruising and Basic Cruising certifications from US Sailing that I got this summer at J-World in Newport, RI. I am taking my first charter later this month, so I cannot say whether or not it helps. The thing I liked about it is that you get some good structured instruction on how bigger boats work and how to handle them. My cruising class included 5 straight days on a Benneteau 42. The basics are the same, but everything is bigger with more loads and more complex systems. It's a real confidence builder. Les Murray H20 Limerick
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Michael Stuart
Certs not required
I chartered in Tortola in March 2000 from the Moorings. It was my first charter. I broke nothing, thankfully. I have a Hunter 170 which I sailed for 2 years, previously a 14 foot O'Day Javalin. I also took a bareboat cruising course in New York City from Offshore Sailing School where I learned how to motor and sail a Hunter 41. The course was 3 only days. I then passed the US Sailing Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, and Bareboat Cruising certification tests. Tough tests which are crammed with questions about garbage (what's the deck of the cabin called? [sole]). The Moorings let me charter, based upon this limited experience. The sailing course I took was great since I was slightly less afraid to handle the larger boat -- we got a Beneteau 352 for my wife, daughter and me. I think, for first time charters, they want you to get a smaller boat. But, with The Moorings, you pay for insurance which covers everything except for a $500 deductible, so who cares if you trash the boat, which is unlikely. You may pay a bit more from The Moorings than at some places, but the boats are in great condition and no hassles. They did not require me to do any boat handling in front of them before I took the boat out. They will give you a skipper for the first day for free (we didn't, and didn't need one). The sailing course was great to learn how all of the mechanicals work on a cruising boat, plumbing, electrical, etc. AND the best thing about the course was learning how to handle an auxiliary powered boat, i.e. a big boat with an inboard motor. There ARE some real tricks to learn which make things much easier. As far as sailing the 35' boat, it was much easier than my 17' boat. And Tortola is the place to start out on your first charter. All the islands are within sight and <3 hours sailing away from one another. You do not HAVE to anchor anywhere. There are moorings you can pick up for $20 a night. We went for 7 nights. It was great. We're doing it again this March, in Tortola again with a Beneteau 413. Other big multi island companies in Tortola are probably OK too. Sunsail, Sunyacht. Stick to the bigger companies. The boats are in better condition. They all have internet web pages from which you can order catalogs. Moorings' website has a resume to fill out. They will respond within two weeks with a letter saying what boats they will let you charter. Good luck.
I chartered in Tortola in March 2000 from the Moorings. It was my first charter. I broke nothing, thankfully. I have a Hunter 170 which I sailed for 2 years, previously a 14 foot O'Day Javalin. I also took a bareboat cruising course in New York City from Offshore Sailing School where I learned how to motor and sail a Hunter 41. The course was 3 only days. I then passed the US Sailing Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, and Bareboat Cruising certification tests. Tough tests which are crammed with questions about garbage (what's the deck of the cabin called? [sole]). The Moorings let me charter, based upon this limited experience. The sailing course I took was great since I was slightly less afraid to handle the larger boat -- we got a Beneteau 352 for my wife, daughter and me. I think, for first time charters, they want you to get a smaller boat. But, with The Moorings, you pay for insurance which covers everything except for a $500 deductible, so who cares if you trash the boat, which is unlikely. You may pay a bit more from The Moorings than at some places, but the boats are in great condition and no hassles. They did not require me to do any boat handling in front of them before I took the boat out. They will give you a skipper for the first day for free (we didn't, and didn't need one). The sailing course was great to learn how all of the mechanicals work on a cruising boat, plumbing, electrical, etc. AND the best thing about the course was learning how to handle an auxiliary powered boat, i.e. a big boat with an inboard motor. There ARE some real tricks to learn which make things much easier. As far as sailing the 35' boat, it was much easier than my 17' boat. And Tortola is the place to start out on your first charter. All the islands are within sight and <3 hours sailing away from one another. You do not HAVE to anchor anywhere. There are moorings you can pick up for $20 a night. We went for 7 nights. It was great. We're doing it again this March, in Tortola again with a Beneteau 413. Other big multi island companies in Tortola are probably OK too. Sunsail, Sunyacht. Stick to the bigger companies. The boats are in better condition. They all have internet web pages from which you can order catalogs. Moorings' website has a resume to fill out. They will respond within two weeks with a letter saying what boats they will let you charter. Good luck.
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Jim Russell
Depends on Your Experience
First time I chartered with Moorings, I had owned a 25 for 5 years and a 30 for 2 months. With that experience, they allowed me to charter a 32 without monitoring. I had some Coast Guard "book" certificates of written courses that I had passed as well as experience with buoys in the Florida Keys. Friend had lesser experience, and the only requirement that he had was to have a Moorings staff on board for a brief period of time while he tacted and jibed several times. If you can demonstrate a reasonable knowledge and experience of sailing, certificates are not necessary. However they will provide more confidence and perhaps fill in gaps.
First time I chartered with Moorings, I had owned a 25 for 5 years and a 30 for 2 months. With that experience, they allowed me to charter a 32 without monitoring. I had some Coast Guard "book" certificates of written courses that I had passed as well as experience with buoys in the Florida Keys. Friend had lesser experience, and the only requirement that he had was to have a Moorings staff on board for a brief period of time while he tacted and jibed several times. If you can demonstrate a reasonable knowledge and experience of sailing, certificates are not necessary. However they will provide more confidence and perhaps fill in gaps.
My experience is similar
I have been sailing dinghies and small keelboats for more than 20 years and I currently own an H23. Last year I chartered a Beneteau 400 from Sunsail in Antigua. All I had at the time was ASA Basic Keelboat certification. For the first day, I requested (and paid for) a skipper because I was sailing a large, unfamiliar boat in unfamiliar conditions with an inexperienced crew. After the standard briefings and a morning in the open ocean, the skipper was satisfied that I was comfortable with the boat and turned me loose. The weather turned bad for a few days aftrewards but everything went well and I didn't break anything. Based on that experience, I would say that certification seems to be more of an issue in the US, probably because of liability. In Antigua they were more concerned with how well I handled the boat. They suggested that I keep a logbook, which in most places will carry more weight than a sailing resume or a certificate from sailing school. Having got ASA Bareboat certification since then, I think the certification is well worth the time and money. Not only is it proof that you have had training and experience on a mid-size to large keelboat, but most schools have enough content in the curriculum to challenge even experienced sailors. If you are thinking about school, try to select one by word of mouth. I highly recommend St. Augustine Sailing here in Florida. It's a great location, the rates are reasonable, the boats are decent, the instructors know their stuff and the sailing conditions are DEFINITELY not boring. Peter S/V Raven
I have been sailing dinghies and small keelboats for more than 20 years and I currently own an H23. Last year I chartered a Beneteau 400 from Sunsail in Antigua. All I had at the time was ASA Basic Keelboat certification. For the first day, I requested (and paid for) a skipper because I was sailing a large, unfamiliar boat in unfamiliar conditions with an inexperienced crew. After the standard briefings and a morning in the open ocean, the skipper was satisfied that I was comfortable with the boat and turned me loose. The weather turned bad for a few days aftrewards but everything went well and I didn't break anything. Based on that experience, I would say that certification seems to be more of an issue in the US, probably because of liability. In Antigua they were more concerned with how well I handled the boat. They suggested that I keep a logbook, which in most places will carry more weight than a sailing resume or a certificate from sailing school. Having got ASA Bareboat certification since then, I think the certification is well worth the time and money. Not only is it proof that you have had training and experience on a mid-size to large keelboat, but most schools have enough content in the curriculum to challenge even experienced sailors. If you are thinking about school, try to select one by word of mouth. I highly recommend St. Augustine Sailing here in Florida. It's a great location, the rates are reasonable, the boats are decent, the instructors know their stuff and the sailing conditions are DEFINITELY not boring. Peter S/V Raven
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Bill Jones
Bareboat Chartering
Prior to owning my own larger boat I chartered quite a bit. I have taken ASA's basic, coastal cruising, and bareboat courses. The instruction was wonderful and you learn alot about boat systems. The USPS offers great instruction in navigation, which I've also taken. None of this is necessary for chartering. Your individual sailing resume is what counts. The courses I have taken make up for my lack of life long sailing experience. I feel responsible for taking care of someone else's property when I charter and like to leave the boat in the same or better condition than when the charter began. I've never chartered from Moorings, too expensive for me, but I highly recommend Tradewind Yachts. Older boats but they took care of all of my needs and concerns. The BVI is a wonderful place to charter. Just use common sense, read the cruising guides for anchorage infor and compare what you see to the chart. If you get four couples together you can split the cost of a Beneteau 510. Each couple gets a private cabin and head. A four way split makes the trip affordable. We just did it last month. Bill Jones
Prior to owning my own larger boat I chartered quite a bit. I have taken ASA's basic, coastal cruising, and bareboat courses. The instruction was wonderful and you learn alot about boat systems. The USPS offers great instruction in navigation, which I've also taken. None of this is necessary for chartering. Your individual sailing resume is what counts. The courses I have taken make up for my lack of life long sailing experience. I feel responsible for taking care of someone else's property when I charter and like to leave the boat in the same or better condition than when the charter began. I've never chartered from Moorings, too expensive for me, but I highly recommend Tradewind Yachts. Older boats but they took care of all of my needs and concerns. The BVI is a wonderful place to charter. Just use common sense, read the cruising guides for anchorage infor and compare what you see to the chart. If you get four couples together you can split the cost of a Beneteau 510. Each couple gets a private cabin and head. A four way split makes the trip affordable. We just did it last month. Bill Jones
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