Charter Company - Solo Sailors Need Not Apply??

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Joe Mullee

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Jun 3, 2004
418
Island Packet Island Packet 29 West River, MD
I was all psyched because I found a place in the middle Florida Keys that would charter a Catalina 27 for 3-4 nights in March or April. I put the money aside to fly to Miami, bus down to Marathon, and charter the boat with a few extra dollars for Key West. But when I called to ask a question about the charter questionaire the owner informed me he wouldn't charter his boat to a solo sailor. Ugh!!

Is this a common practice? I've never chartered before so I don't know what other companies practices and rules are about solo sailors. This was a small independant guy with three sailboats that got a few good write-ups so I thought it would work out. I'd like to go to the Keys if possible or possibly the Bahama's. If anyone has suggestions please let me know.

Thanks,

Joe Mullee
 
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Steve Walsh

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Oct 6, 2009
129
Newport Newport 28 MKII Jacksonville, FL
I suspect his insurance carrier will not allow it. I've asked a couple of BVI bareboat charter companies the Admiral and I have used in the past and they would not allow single handed bareboat charters, even for customers that have chartered with them several times. Good Luck with your search.
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
That's a good lesson for the rest of us I guess. Never tried to charter solo so never have asked. Do you not want a crewmate? You could easily find one. Maybe go down a couple of days early and hang at the local pub. Nah, just kidding.

I wonder why he didn't ask originally? Normally any paperwork would have identified that. I know The Moorings does.
 
caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
Ed Schenck said:
That's a good lesson for the rest of us I guess. Never tried to charter solo so never have asked. Do you not want a crewmate? You could easily find one. Maybe go down a couple of days early and hang at the local pub. Nah, just kidding.

I wonder why he didn't ask originally? Normally any paperwork would have identified that. I know The Moorings does.
Click to expand
Does your crewmate have to be certified? Sailing with my wife is no different than sailing solo, other than the pleasure of her company. It does force me to keep the boat flatter. Just had an ah-ha moment, a nagging spouse is probably the best safety feature a boat can have.
 
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Joe Mullee

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Jun 3, 2004
418
Island Packet Island Packet 29 West River, MD
Non-Sailor Crew Welcome

He said the crew did not need any sailing experiance as long as there was someone with you.
 
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Tom Monroe

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May 25, 2004
99
Catalina 27 Carlyle Lake
It must be an insurance thing. I ran into the same thing just wanting to rent a daysailer. And both of the places that I rent in the keys that are a cottage with a boat stipulate that i can't take the thing out by myself.

I kind of agree with caguy ... my wife can handle the helm while I'm doing some boat work. But if something happen to me, the only thing she could do would be pull out her cell phone.
 
BobM

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Just need to use...

Joe Mullee said:
He said the crew did not need any sailing experiance as long as there was someone with you.
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...a mannequin like people do when they drive solo in the car pool lane. You can even put her hand up in a nice wave as you sail by him. :D
 
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novelman17130

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Jan 22, 2008
146
Macgregor 22 Marina Del Rey, CA CA
WOW

Joe Mullee said:
I was all psyched because I found a place in the middle Florida Keys that would charter a Catalina 27 for 3-4 nights in March or April. I put the money aside to fly to Miami, bus down to Marathon, and charter the boat with a few extra dollars for Key West. But when I called to ask a question about the charter questionaire the owner informed me he wouldn't charter his boat to a solo sailor. Ugh!!

Is this a common practice? I've never chartered before so I don't know what other companies practices and rules are about solo sailors. This was a small independant guy with three sailboats that got a few good write-ups so I thought it would work out. I'd like to go to the Keys if possible or possibly the Bahama's. If anyone has suggestions please let me know.

Thanks,

Joe Mullee
Click to expand
My god man,
Have you checked into female sailors. I am sure there are some of them eager to go on a sail like this. If I was 20 years younger I would go this route, just ask caguy.
Novelman
 
caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
Novelman, if you were 20 years younger you'd still be to old to know what to do with a young female sailor. :poke:(Novelman giving a wet willy to a female sailor)
BTW I ordered your leaf springs. 6 leaves 27'' 2250 lbs. Should be here by next week.
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
There are times when having a warm body along, even one with no sailing or boating experience, can be helpful. They can hold a course or help tie up the boat, or pick up a mooring buoy... Just because they're not a seasoned sailor, doesn't mean that it doesn't make handling the boat easier and safer.
Joe Mullee said:
He said the crew did not need any sailing experiance as long as there was someone with you.
Click to expand
 
J

Joe Mullee

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Jun 3, 2004
418
Island Packet Island Packet 29 West River, MD
That's Funny

Novelman said:
My god man,
Have you checked into female sailors. I am sure there are some of them eager to go on a sail like this. If I was 20 years younger I would go this route, just ask caguy.
Novelman
Click to expand
My wife of thirty yeas might have a problem with that one. LOL

I sail solo 95% of the time because it's usually a weekday that I can get out and most people are working while I'm sailing my Hunter 34. That's not to say I don't enjoy sailing with others. And I agree that having that extra pair of hands is definitely a plus but sometimes so is time alone.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Joe Mullee
 
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novelman17130

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Jan 22, 2008
146
Macgregor 22 Marina Del Rey, CA CA
solo sailing

Joe Mullee said:
My wife of thirty yeas might have a problem with that one. LOL

I sail solo 95% of the time because it's usually a weekday that I can get out and most people are working while I'm sailing my Hunter 34. That's not to say I don't enjoy sailing with others. And I agree that having that extra pair of hands is definitely a plus but sometimes so is time alone.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Joe Mullee
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Sorry,
But you could still contact a sailing club in that area and offer a 2-3 day all expenses sail to one of their members. I'm surprised that someone from the area has not contacted you yet. If I was not on the left coast I would be happy to.
novelman
 
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