Do you charter boats as well as sailing your own? Is chartering something you did before you bought a boat? Or do you charter as a destination vacation, when you're away from your home waters, or for a long weekend? When you charter, do you choose a boat that's similar to your own so you'll be comfortable? Or do you choose something you might like to own some day to give it a try? Have you chartered something really different like a multihull to see what it's like? Have you considered putting your boat into a charter fleet? Post your charter thoughts here, then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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J. COTTER THARIN
CHARTERED OFTEN
The question is about chartering. I own a Catalina 36. I've chartered ~15x in the Virgin Islands and 3x in Greece. In the Virgins I first chartered with CSY and later with CYC. Both orginizations did a first rate job. Good, clean boats, rapid response should there be a problem and excellent provisioning. The waters are clear, warm, and the wind blows. I've also chartered in Greece and except for the antiquities, it doesn't compare to the VI. The waters are cold, dark, and have scant life. We chartered with GPSC and they were a terrible organization -- don't compare even slightly with the VI companies. Boats poorly equipped and dirty. Old charts, and dock lines, etc., etc. I'm sure that Moorings, or Sunsail which charter around the world would be far, far better. Looking back, I should have gone "down island" rather than to Greece.
The question is about chartering. I own a Catalina 36. I've chartered ~15x in the Virgin Islands and 3x in Greece. In the Virgins I first chartered with CSY and later with CYC. Both orginizations did a first rate job. Good, clean boats, rapid response should there be a problem and excellent provisioning. The waters are clear, warm, and the wind blows. I've also chartered in Greece and except for the antiquities, it doesn't compare to the VI. The waters are cold, dark, and have scant life. We chartered with GPSC and they were a terrible organization -- don't compare even slightly with the VI companies. Boats poorly equipped and dirty. Old charts, and dock lines, etc., etc. I'm sure that Moorings, or Sunsail which charter around the world would be far, far better. Looking back, I should have gone "down island" rather than to Greece.
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Ken Meyer
Charter
I have often chartered when I am in other parts of the country / world. It offers an opportunity to see new vistas. When I charter, I look for boats in the 32 foot range, generally Tartans, O'Days, Catalinas, and Ericksons.
I have often chartered when I am in other parts of the country / world. It offers an opportunity to see new vistas. When I charter, I look for boats in the 32 foot range, generally Tartans, O'Days, Catalinas, and Ericksons.
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John Daix Leipold
Never Chartered but Own a Charterboat
I went through what was called the "fast track to cruising" program with Steve
I went through what was called the "fast track to cruising" program with Steve
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Katherine J Hancock
Chartering in the Caribbean
We have chartered sailboats in the Caribbean and on Lake Michigan. We have chartered for vacations only. We did not charter a Hunter 410 before purchasing. We did take several sails on other peoples Hunteres and our choice was between the 42' Catalina and the Hunter 410 and we chose the Hunter. We had planned a vacation to the Grenadines this March and were going to charter a Hunter but the vacation got cancelled due to illness.
We have chartered sailboats in the Caribbean and on Lake Michigan. We have chartered for vacations only. We did not charter a Hunter 410 before purchasing. We did take several sails on other peoples Hunteres and our choice was between the 42' Catalina and the Hunter 410 and we chose the Hunter. We had planned a vacation to the Grenadines this March and were going to charter a Hunter but the vacation got cancelled due to illness.
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Merrill Mant
Seasonal thing!
When the lake is hard enough to drive your car into the bays that we anchor in during the summer, it is time to head south and recharge your batteries. By the end of January the cold and short days can break even the hardiest of sailors - the only cure is to play in fiberglass, salt water, sun and sand. Chartered numerous times in the BVI's and itis a wonderful cure to the winter blahs. The Moorings and sister compant Footloose are supurb guests.
When the lake is hard enough to drive your car into the bays that we anchor in during the summer, it is time to head south and recharge your batteries. By the end of January the cold and short days can break even the hardiest of sailors - the only cure is to play in fiberglass, salt water, sun and sand. Chartered numerous times in the BVI's and itis a wonderful cure to the winter blahs. The Moorings and sister compant Footloose are supurb guests.
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Les Murray
Going to BVI this year
I have chartered several time both before and since buying my boat. I took a bareboat chartering course from J-world. Then I did an 8 day charter in San Diego on a Catalina 34. We love it so much that I bought a Catalina 36 soon after. Since then I have chartered once in the BVI and am going back again this winter. It makes a nice break during the long New England winters. I must echo the comments about charter companies. In San Diego I had a good older boat and the company (San Diego Yacht Charters) did a great job. In the BVI, I went with Fanfare Charters last year. Not so good. Older boat with not good maintenance. This year we are going with Sunsail on a newer Jeanneau 42. This should be fun. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh 86 C-36 #560
I have chartered several time both before and since buying my boat. I took a bareboat chartering course from J-world. Then I did an 8 day charter in San Diego on a Catalina 34. We love it so much that I bought a Catalina 36 soon after. Since then I have chartered once in the BVI and am going back again this winter. It makes a nice break during the long New England winters. I must echo the comments about charter companies. In San Diego I had a good older boat and the company (San Diego Yacht Charters) did a great job. In the BVI, I went with Fanfare Charters last year. Not so good. Older boat with not good maintenance. This year we are going with Sunsail on a newer Jeanneau 42. This should be fun. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh 86 C-36 #560
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Tom
Chartered before ownining
When my wife and I first got interested in sailing, 15 years ago, we weren't sure if it was a passing fancy or a long term interest. We didn't know much about sailing, either. At that time we lived in Orange County, CA., and there were many charter clubs available. They charter boats by the day, half day and week; and offered lessons in sailing and navigation. We found this the ideal way to learn about sailing, meet new friends with similar interests, and have the use of boats that would put severe strain on our budget if we were to own one. When we moved to New England in 1989, we searched for a similar club, but alas, could not find any. The few charter companies we found at that time wanted week long charters. We ended up buying a boat the next year. Chartering has advantages of lower cost and no maintenance responsibilites. You pay for the time you use and can walk away for a week, or 6 months, without concern. You can also sail a variety of boats. However, there are some downsides. You have to plan ahead to get the charter time you want, and you don't get the boat setup just the way you want. On more that one ocassion we had to delay departure to get all the proper equipment that had gone missing: Bilge pump handle, Winch handle, etc. All in all, chartering is a great way to go sailing with minimal cost and time commitment involved with boat ownership. Fair winds... Tom
When my wife and I first got interested in sailing, 15 years ago, we weren't sure if it was a passing fancy or a long term interest. We didn't know much about sailing, either. At that time we lived in Orange County, CA., and there were many charter clubs available. They charter boats by the day, half day and week; and offered lessons in sailing and navigation. We found this the ideal way to learn about sailing, meet new friends with similar interests, and have the use of boats that would put severe strain on our budget if we were to own one. When we moved to New England in 1989, we searched for a similar club, but alas, could not find any. The few charter companies we found at that time wanted week long charters. We ended up buying a boat the next year. Chartering has advantages of lower cost and no maintenance responsibilites. You pay for the time you use and can walk away for a week, or 6 months, without concern. You can also sail a variety of boats. However, there are some downsides. You have to plan ahead to get the charter time you want, and you don't get the boat setup just the way you want. On more that one ocassion we had to delay departure to get all the proper equipment that had gone missing: Bilge pump handle, Winch handle, etc. All in all, chartering is a great way to go sailing with minimal cost and time commitment involved with boat ownership. Fair winds... Tom
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Fred Carstensen
CHARTER -PACIFIC NORTHWEST
My wife and I started chartering in the British Columbia coastal area during the 70's, we eventually purchased a Columbia 22 and left it in charter service in the Vancouver cruising area while we started a family and moved inland. Having the boat in charter allowed us some sailing time while living in the praries and the boat was looked after while we were a 1000 kilometers away. Kid's have grown and we have taken a couple of charters back in the waters around Vancouver. A week in the Gulf Islands aboard a Catalina 34 and recently three weeks in Desolation Sound aboard a Hunter 34. We have also trailered our Macgregor 25 to the coast and spent a couple weeks as well. This is an excellent cruising area, I suspect boat and crew could spend years cruising this area and still not cover it all. When the time comes for us to purchase a boat it will probably be in the 34-36' size range so we were able to justify some of the cost as research. We will eventually try charters in the Caribean and/or South Pacific. But I suspect we will spend much of our cruising time exploring the inlets,islands and channels off the coast of British Columbia.
My wife and I started chartering in the British Columbia coastal area during the 70's, we eventually purchased a Columbia 22 and left it in charter service in the Vancouver cruising area while we started a family and moved inland. Having the boat in charter allowed us some sailing time while living in the praries and the boat was looked after while we were a 1000 kilometers away. Kid's have grown and we have taken a couple of charters back in the waters around Vancouver. A week in the Gulf Islands aboard a Catalina 34 and recently three weeks in Desolation Sound aboard a Hunter 34. We have also trailered our Macgregor 25 to the coast and spent a couple weeks as well. This is an excellent cruising area, I suspect boat and crew could spend years cruising this area and still not cover it all. When the time comes for us to purchase a boat it will probably be in the 34-36' size range so we were able to justify some of the cost as research. We will eventually try charters in the Caribean and/or South Pacific. But I suspect we will spend much of our cruising time exploring the inlets,islands and channels off the coast of British Columbia.
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Buck Harrison
Chartering
I own a H-420, but not because of prior chartering experience... Have chartered w/ Mooring: once in BVI, and twice out of St Lucia into the Grenadines... 1 w/ monohull, 1 w/ cat. Also chartered with Tahiti Yacht Charters this past August in the Society Islands (46' cat). All experiences have been good... Mooring runs a very good operation worldwide... and Tahiti Yacht Charters was just as good.. I'd rather pay a few hundred extra dollars and be reasonabilly sure of a good vacation. Of all the chartering trips, I would recommend getting 4 couples together, take 2 weeks, and charter a big catamaran in Tahiti (etc).... it is truly magnificent ! ! !
I own a H-420, but not because of prior chartering experience... Have chartered w/ Mooring: once in BVI, and twice out of St Lucia into the Grenadines... 1 w/ monohull, 1 w/ cat. Also chartered with Tahiti Yacht Charters this past August in the Society Islands (46' cat). All experiences have been good... Mooring runs a very good operation worldwide... and Tahiti Yacht Charters was just as good.. I'd rather pay a few hundred extra dollars and be reasonabilly sure of a good vacation. Of all the chartering trips, I would recommend getting 4 couples together, take 2 weeks, and charter a big catamaran in Tahiti (etc).... it is truly magnificent ! ! !
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Robert Polk
410 In Key West
We charter a 410 in Key West (L'Attitude Adjustment) almost every winter for 1 week from Florida Yachts and Charter. We tried the 410 when we were thinking of a new boat but ended up buying a 460. Still charter the 410. We also tried a catamaran but found how poorly they perform in anything except a reach in 15 knots. I would never charter our boat.
We charter a 410 in Key West (L'Attitude Adjustment) almost every winter for 1 week from Florida Yachts and Charter. We tried the 410 when we were thinking of a new boat but ended up buying a 460. Still charter the 410. We also tried a catamaran but found how poorly they perform in anything except a reach in 15 knots. I would never charter our boat.
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terry holt
Chartering 101
My friends and I have taken severl trips to the BVI and the Abacos Bahamas. The only slightly negative experience was the first. We chose the Moorings on the promise that they had good skippers and since it was our first trip, we wanted to have that extra help. The skipper we got however was an anal-retentive jerk -- too bossy, and he fought with his crew member in front of the guests. Puleeze, we were in paradise! Since then, we used Sunsail, and footloose in the BVI and stayed away from military style skippers, preferring the bareboat life. As a charter and owner of a H31, I have found that even in protected waters like the mention above, it pays to have more than one experienced hand on board. Anchor watches, close manuvers, and general chores are much easier. For all of those who have only used the BVI, also check out the leewards for more challenging, longer sailing days. Also try the abacos, an off the beaten track island chain in the bahamas. It's close, quiet, and beautiful. And the moorings staff there is friendly and responsive. Dont tell the provisioning people, but avoid the temptation to load too much food. You won't use the dinners if your group likes visiting shore in the evenings. Stick with breakfast and lunch. Stick to the basics -- While you are doing the boat check send your crew to the store. When the weathers turns on the Chesapeake Bay, we begin to look south to sooth our sailing urges. Grab some friends and just do it. It's cheaper than any resort and twice the fun.
My friends and I have taken severl trips to the BVI and the Abacos Bahamas. The only slightly negative experience was the first. We chose the Moorings on the promise that they had good skippers and since it was our first trip, we wanted to have that extra help. The skipper we got however was an anal-retentive jerk -- too bossy, and he fought with his crew member in front of the guests. Puleeze, we were in paradise! Since then, we used Sunsail, and footloose in the BVI and stayed away from military style skippers, preferring the bareboat life. As a charter and owner of a H31, I have found that even in protected waters like the mention above, it pays to have more than one experienced hand on board. Anchor watches, close manuvers, and general chores are much easier. For all of those who have only used the BVI, also check out the leewards for more challenging, longer sailing days. Also try the abacos, an off the beaten track island chain in the bahamas. It's close, quiet, and beautiful. And the moorings staff there is friendly and responsive. Dont tell the provisioning people, but avoid the temptation to load too much food. You won't use the dinners if your group likes visiting shore in the evenings. Stick with breakfast and lunch. Stick to the basics -- While you are doing the boat check send your crew to the store. When the weathers turns on the Chesapeake Bay, we begin to look south to sooth our sailing urges. Grab some friends and just do it. It's cheaper than any resort and twice the fun.
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Steve Winkle
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Ned Strain
North Channel - Lake Huron
Chartered a couple of times in the North Channel after finding our first vacation was spent getting to and from Manitoulin Island (from Chicago). Look for charter companies that are attentive and professional yet friendly. Make sure you take the time to become thoroughly familiar with everything on the boat before you cast off. Feel joyous about the fact that you don't have to maintain it (but leave it as clean as it was presented to you). Have fun! Ned and Tani Strain s/v Family Therapy 1995 h336 Chicago
Chartered a couple of times in the North Channel after finding our first vacation was spent getting to and from Manitoulin Island (from Chicago). Look for charter companies that are attentive and professional yet friendly. Make sure you take the time to become thoroughly familiar with everything on the boat before you cast off. Feel joyous about the fact that you don't have to maintain it (but leave it as clean as it was presented to you). Have fun! Ned and Tani Strain s/v Family Therapy 1995 h336 Chicago
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Warren Welch Captain of Weiser Lady
Fantasy vacations charters in the caribbean
We have a 1996 430 Hunter that we charter as a crewed yacht in the Virgin Islands and leeward Islands in the Caribbean sea. We enjoy sailing in the islands and the guests that come on board enjoy the boat and all of its amenities. We take up to six guests per custom charter, four is perfect. We also cater to the honeymoon guests, with special accomadations. I enjoy sailing the 430 hunter as I have complete control right from the companion way. My auto pilot is also in the arch along with all my instruments. We have added a radar and chart plotter for down island charters. All of our guests have enjoyed the charter on Weiser Lady.
We have a 1996 430 Hunter that we charter as a crewed yacht in the Virgin Islands and leeward Islands in the Caribbean sea. We enjoy sailing in the islands and the guests that come on board enjoy the boat and all of its amenities. We take up to six guests per custom charter, four is perfect. We also cater to the honeymoon guests, with special accomadations. I enjoy sailing the 430 hunter as I have complete control right from the companion way. My auto pilot is also in the arch along with all my instruments. We have added a radar and chart plotter for down island charters. All of our guests have enjoyed the charter on Weiser Lady.
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Jay Weimar
Sailing charters..you bet!
We bareboat charter every year down in the caribbean with the Moorings...eight years straight now...BVIs, St. Martin, St Lucia, Matinique, the Abaccos...you name it we've been there...the Moorings is great...new boats clean boats...great service...we call ahead about four months and set up the trip and airfare, and then start looking forward to it...after our 26' hunter its a luxury!!!!
We bareboat charter every year down in the caribbean with the Moorings...eight years straight now...BVIs, St. Martin, St Lucia, Matinique, the Abaccos...you name it we've been there...the Moorings is great...new boats clean boats...great service...we call ahead about four months and set up the trip and airfare, and then start looking forward to it...after our 26' hunter its a luxury!!!!
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Gary Scheier
We did
My wife and and I went through the U.S. Sailing courses, she through Basic Cruising and me through Coastal Navigation (so far). The sailing school/club is called Club Nautique, and we learned/chartered with them since they had many locations on San Francisco Bay and several new boats in their fleet (mostly Hunters). We chartered several times before we bought. We subsequently puchased a used Hunter 28 from their brokerage affiliate. The decision was mostly made based on the boat, which was only slightly used and in primo condition. Also, it was a 1991 model, which has a backstay, and can stretch a little longer than the new ones before reefing is needed in the strong S.F. Bay winds. We still charter, but usually try get other brands (Jenneau, C
My wife and and I went through the U.S. Sailing courses, she through Basic Cruising and me through Coastal Navigation (so far). The sailing school/club is called Club Nautique, and we learned/chartered with them since they had many locations on San Francisco Bay and several new boats in their fleet (mostly Hunters). We chartered several times before we bought. We subsequently puchased a used Hunter 28 from their brokerage affiliate. The decision was mostly made based on the boat, which was only slightly used and in primo condition. Also, it was a 1991 model, which has a backstay, and can stretch a little longer than the new ones before reefing is needed in the strong S.F. Bay winds. We still charter, but usually try get other brands (Jenneau, C
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Tom
Try CYOA
Last time out (USVI) we chartered from Caribbean Yacht Owners Association out of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. We had a nice "elderly" Endeavor in perfect condition. Red Hook, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Peter Island, Trunk Bay, and back to St. T CYOA took great care of us.
Last time out (USVI) we chartered from Caribbean Yacht Owners Association out of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. We had a nice "elderly" Endeavor in perfect condition. Red Hook, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Peter Island, Trunk Bay, and back to St. T CYOA took great care of us.
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NHsailor
BVI's in an Island Packet 42
My wife and I have chartered down in the BVI's as destination vacation and loved it. It was fun sailing a boat so much bigger than my last boat, a Beneteau 31, or my new project boat, an O'Day Tempest, built in 1960.
My wife and I have chartered down in the BVI's as destination vacation and loved it. It was fun sailing a boat so much bigger than my last boat, a Beneteau 31, or my new project boat, an O'Day Tempest, built in 1960.
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Ralph McGraw
Tortola Charter
Our only charter was a shared charter in Tortola last year for a week of learning how to sail. Was fantastic. I do hope to go to other parts of the country to charter and sail. San Diego, Annapolis, Bayfield for examples. After reading some of the other comments I can see that there is a lot of adventures waiting for us. Maybe we'll run into you some day. Not with the boat though. LOL I wouldn't mind hearing from any of you who have purchased a boat and left it up for charter. Seems like an ok way to go when you aren't able to get away but a week or two a year. In the end it would be nice to have the boat paid for for when I could sail more often. SEARAY0301@aol.com
Our only charter was a shared charter in Tortola last year for a week of learning how to sail. Was fantastic. I do hope to go to other parts of the country to charter and sail. San Diego, Annapolis, Bayfield for examples. After reading some of the other comments I can see that there is a lot of adventures waiting for us. Maybe we'll run into you some day. Not with the boat though. LOL I wouldn't mind hearing from any of you who have purchased a boat and left it up for charter. Seems like an ok way to go when you aren't able to get away but a week or two a year. In the end it would be nice to have the boat paid for for when I could sail more often. SEARAY0301@aol.com
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