I have been sailing lakes etc. for several years and would like to charter here in Florida. I have owned boats up to 26 feet, but have no ocean experience. What do you think would be the easiest and least expensive way to get qualified to charter in Florida coastal waters? I have two kids in college, so money IS important!! Thanks in advance for your advice.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
G
Geof Tillotson
ebare.com
I've been using the site www.ebare.com to gather info about chartering next winter. The site seems to have a lot of information. I have not used their services so I can't reccommend them, but it might be a place to start. www.ebare.com Geof
I've been using the site www.ebare.com to gather info about chartering next winter. The site seems to have a lot of information. I have not used their services so I can't reccommend them, but it might be a place to start. www.ebare.com Geof
D
David Tomlinson
My Advice
I started the same way you did. We chartered a boat in Pensacola just based on a sailing resume. Pensacola bay is a great place to learn how to sail, great places to go, lots of national seashore (spectacular) beaches, restraunts accessable to any boats (great marinas that will allow you to park) plus Pensacola is mostly sandbars, as you learn to navigate any error is a bump on a sand bar not a hole from some unforgiving coral. After chartering in Pensacola (they let me have the boat, I had only sailed a handfull of times, but had memorized the Annapolis Book of Sailing) they went with me for a quick check out sail and off we went. After this trip, a year latter we were able to rent a 45 foot boat in the BVI where the sailing is a little less forgiving (still very easy to do). I think those classes are rediculously expensive, do it the old fashioned way, read! read! read! I am in the Navy and we now own a 40 foot boat in Puerto Rico (right next to the virgin islands) and sail all the time, Pensacola was a great training ground. I still lack experience, but by being well read I at least have the basics. If you read the adds for the big sailing classes they make you think you have to have their "certification", BS. We chartered through the Moorings and they just made me go on a check out sail that was delightful, I had no "certification". We did fine, and probably sailed with more eticate and better then the person that took the class because we were all self educated and very motivated and self conscious sailors. Hope this helps, be happy to answer more specific questions.
I started the same way you did. We chartered a boat in Pensacola just based on a sailing resume. Pensacola bay is a great place to learn how to sail, great places to go, lots of national seashore (spectacular) beaches, restraunts accessable to any boats (great marinas that will allow you to park) plus Pensacola is mostly sandbars, as you learn to navigate any error is a bump on a sand bar not a hole from some unforgiving coral. After chartering in Pensacola (they let me have the boat, I had only sailed a handfull of times, but had memorized the Annapolis Book of Sailing) they went with me for a quick check out sail and off we went. After this trip, a year latter we were able to rent a 45 foot boat in the BVI where the sailing is a little less forgiving (still very easy to do). I think those classes are rediculously expensive, do it the old fashioned way, read! read! read! I am in the Navy and we now own a 40 foot boat in Puerto Rico (right next to the virgin islands) and sail all the time, Pensacola was a great training ground. I still lack experience, but by being well read I at least have the basics. If you read the adds for the big sailing classes they make you think you have to have their "certification", BS. We chartered through the Moorings and they just made me go on a check out sail that was delightful, I had no "certification". We did fine, and probably sailed with more eticate and better then the person that took the class because we were all self educated and very motivated and self conscious sailors. Hope this helps, be happy to answer more specific questions.
It depends...
As David mentioned, bareboat certification is not mandatory, especially if you charter outside the US. It's just an indication that you've met the MINIMUM requirements for managing a boat, and gives the charter company some idea of your sailing and boatkeeping ability. However, even if you are certified, the charter company will probably still ask you to take a check ride. They want to see your ability for themselves, because some people inflate their sailing resumes. The last thing a charter company wants to do is turn over a $100,000 boat to someone who's going to run it into a channel marker on the way out. Here are a few tidbits from past experience: The check ride may be up to four hours long and it IS considered part of your charter time. A seven day charter is usually not seven 24-hour days, it's actually seven days and six nights. Going over the systems, the chart briefing, the check ride and provisioning the boat will easily burn up the first day. Here's what I'd suggest. Sign up for the two-day ASA Basic Keelboat school at St Augustine Sailing (www.sta-sail.com). Don't let the word "basic" fool you. The instruction is thorough, they cover more than the B.K. course material, use 30-foot boats, go out into the Atlantic and the price is reasonable. Since you already have experience, you can concentrate on developing new skills while your less-experienced classmates are still trying to remember the names of all the parts of the boat. Added plus: The area around St Augustine Inlet is tricky. There are shifting shoals, strong reversing tidal currents, few aids to navigation and a seabreeze that builds a wicked chop when the tide is ebbing. If you're confident sailing there, you can sail just about anywhere. Finally, if you don't already have one, start keeping a log book. When it's time to charter, take your log with you and produce it at check-in. The mere fact that you keep a log speaks volumes to the charter company about your attitude towards sailing, with the added advantage that the proof of your ability will be right there for the reading. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
As David mentioned, bareboat certification is not mandatory, especially if you charter outside the US. It's just an indication that you've met the MINIMUM requirements for managing a boat, and gives the charter company some idea of your sailing and boatkeeping ability. However, even if you are certified, the charter company will probably still ask you to take a check ride. They want to see your ability for themselves, because some people inflate their sailing resumes. The last thing a charter company wants to do is turn over a $100,000 boat to someone who's going to run it into a channel marker on the way out. Here are a few tidbits from past experience: The check ride may be up to four hours long and it IS considered part of your charter time. A seven day charter is usually not seven 24-hour days, it's actually seven days and six nights. Going over the systems, the chart briefing, the check ride and provisioning the boat will easily burn up the first day. Here's what I'd suggest. Sign up for the two-day ASA Basic Keelboat school at St Augustine Sailing (www.sta-sail.com). Don't let the word "basic" fool you. The instruction is thorough, they cover more than the B.K. course material, use 30-foot boats, go out into the Atlantic and the price is reasonable. Since you already have experience, you can concentrate on developing new skills while your less-experienced classmates are still trying to remember the names of all the parts of the boat. Added plus: The area around St Augustine Inlet is tricky. There are shifting shoals, strong reversing tidal currents, few aids to navigation and a seabreeze that builds a wicked chop when the tide is ebbing. If you're confident sailing there, you can sail just about anywhere. Finally, if you don't already have one, start keeping a log book. When it's time to charter, take your log with you and produce it at check-in. The mere fact that you keep a log speaks volumes to the charter company about your attitude towards sailing, with the added advantage that the proof of your ability will be right there for the reading. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
D
Dennis Thomas
U. S. Sail and Power Squadrons
For inexpensive instruction, both the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the USSPS are good choices. I’m an instructor for the USSPS “Piloting” course available to members only. The general public boating course is basic but does qualify you in those states that require a boating license. If you join, there is a whole series of advanced courses that can really teach you a lot. It is all for motivated self-starters like David Tomlinson (David, you should join!). You are being taught by other members that have already gone through the series and have gained some experience. You may be able to memorize Chapman’s but the class’s help focus your study. As an instructor, I always find that my students have had experiences that teach all of us something new. Being in a group, sharing ideas, etc. can be very helpful. You might even like some of the people you meet. The Squadrons are generally made up of fine people with safe enjoyable boating as their common feature.
For inexpensive instruction, both the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the USSPS are good choices. I’m an instructor for the USSPS “Piloting” course available to members only. The general public boating course is basic but does qualify you in those states that require a boating license. If you join, there is a whole series of advanced courses that can really teach you a lot. It is all for motivated self-starters like David Tomlinson (David, you should join!). You are being taught by other members that have already gone through the series and have gained some experience. You may be able to memorize Chapman’s but the class’s help focus your study. As an instructor, I always find that my students have had experiences that teach all of us something new. Being in a group, sharing ideas, etc. can be very helpful. You might even like some of the people you meet. The Squadrons are generally made up of fine people with safe enjoyable boating as their common feature.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.