CHARTER GUIDE
AN INTRODUCTION TO A YACHT CHARTER
Whether you are considering chartering a yacht for the first time or just want to remind yourself of some chartering details, welcome! Knowing there are lots of questions to be asked and information to collect, the Fine Sailing team has composed a guide so that our clients can better understand the yacht charter process. It consists of some of the most important information you need to know, as well as some delicate but very helpful details. Please review our guide and gain a clearer picture, as you prepare for the conversation with your yacht charter broker.
How to charter?
The best way to charter a yacht is to find trusted professionals, like the ones in FINE SAILING, who can find the best yacht holiday tailored to your desires. Follow the few simple steps below and let us take care of the rest.
– Take a look at the destinations on our site and decide where you want to go
– Think about how many of crew you are coming with
– Explore our fleet to see approximately what type of yacht suits you the best
– Scroll through the rest of the FAQ to find more info about a yacht charter
– Contact our team and let them know your desires
– Your broker will guide you through the rest of the process and find solutions for your ideal yacht charter
– Decide on your final yacht, sign the Charter Agreement and finalize your booking
How far in advance should I book the yacht charter?
The brokers advise booking a yacht six to ten months in advance. This refers to especially when aiming for the peak seasons. Off-season weeks are recommended to be booked three to six months in advance. Bear in mind that the most popular yacht can be booked as much as a year in advance.
Why should I use the broker services?
With increased demand in the industry over the years, a yacht charter is giving limitless options for clients. Having a help of a yacht broker is therefore vital when trying to find your perfect combination for a yacht charter. Between thousands of boats, numerous places, and itineraries it is easy to find yourself confused or even disappointed because of ending up on the boat that looked different in the pictures or getting trapped into one of many tourist traps that pops out of every advertisement. The broker will understand what kind of yacht charter you seek and with the professional connections and knowledge will guide you through the yacht charter process.
Do I need to have a license for a bareboat charter?
CROATIA – You should own the license for operating the pleasure craft issued by the state authority of your country as well as the VHF license. Licenses from most European countries are accepted in Croatia. Please download a list of valid licenses issued by the Croatian Ministry of Sea to check are you in possession of a valid license.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS – A formal sailing license is not mandatory for a bareboat charter here. A completed Sailing or Power resume is required to ensure you have the necessary experience required to charter yourself.
When is the best time to charter?
There are two main seasons in the charter industry. The summer season stretches from May through October with its peak months – July and August, and the winter season from November to April with the peak season running during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
How long is a yacht charter?
Standard yacht charters run between 7 and 14 days. The Mediterranean season is intense, which means there is less flexibility when it comes to the period of the charter. Most of them, especially in peak season, will start on Saturday and finish on Saturday. Whether you are chartering for a week or two or even more. The Caribbean season is longer, and it might give you more options like booking on non-Saturday days or having a 5 or 10 days charter, for example.
How big are the yachts and how many people can fit?
Our yacht sizes are generally between 35 – 100 feet in range. Apart from length, they differ in type – monohull and catamaran. Depending on the size and number of berths, charter yachts can fit from 1 up to a maximum of 12 guests.
What type of the yacht should I charter?
Choosing the right yacht type for you and your crew is crucial and should fit your sailing type and preferences. While motor yachts are for the ones who like island hopping and getting to places quickly, sailing yachts are best for yachting enthusiasts. However, there are also sailing Catamarans if you decide to choose more comfortable sailing instead of a sporty one. Take a look at our fleet and explore what suits you the best, and let our agents give you some tips and recommendations.
Are there any extra expenses on top of a basic charter rate?
What is included and not included in your yacht charter fee varies from yacht to yacht and from the chosen package. Usual expenses you might find on top of a base charter fee are crew, transfer, provisioning, docking fees, fuel.
There are some all-inclusive packages that will release you of some expenses, depending on the chosen options. Speak to your broker to find out more about the packages.
What is the difference between the peak and off season?
Of course, apart from charter rates, there are few differences between the seasons. It is important to know yourself and what kind of holiday you want and then decide what time of the season fits you the best. What makes the busiest months so popular is – stable weather, tourist offer, and the holiday season. On the other hand, the main off-season advantages are – cheaper rates and a more relaxed holiday due to fewer travelers.
Are there any specific advantages of chartering with Fine Sailing?
Our charter experience and personalized approach to clients’ needs are what separates us from many. We have spent a decade working inside this industry as a professional crew before we started to work on-land and that, we feel, is a huge advantage. Whatever we are offering to you, we have personally experienced already numerous times. Check our company introduction to get to know us better and understand the knowledge we possess.
YACHT CHARTER HELPFUL INFORMATION
By now we hope you got the answers to all the basic yacht charter questions. Further down in our Charter Guide we would like to provide helpful information to make the very best of your yacht charter vacation. Please browse the rest of the guide to find out some questions that might not pop out of your head when thinking about the yacht charter. Learn about the finest details and charter like a pro.
Do all yachts come with the crew?
Most of our yachts up to 55 feet can go with or without crew. Some of them and most of the bigger yachts run with the permanent crew on-board. Charters without crew are so-called Bare-boat charters.
Should I go for a Bare-boat or Crewed charter?
While taking a hostess/cook is totally up to your preferences, please be aware of your yachting skills when chartering a yacht without a captain. Even though you might possess a license and you know the basics, some of the situations on the sea demands more skilled sailors. We understand the benefits of privacy onboard but we recommend taking a bare-boat charter only to well-skilled sailors.
However, even they should think about taking a captain if they are up to charter in unfamiliar waters. The safety of the crew onboard is the most important thing of yacht charter.
When is check-in and check-out time?
Arriving on your yacht for the charter is usually on Saturday in the afternoon hours. Depends on the charter and the package you purchased. While standard boarding is 4-5 PM, the VIP option gives you the opportunity to board at 2 PM. Check-out is on Saturday at 9 AM with returning to the base on Friday evening by 5-6 PM.
Why do I have to be back in the base on Friday rather than Saturday morning?
Charter companies are having 50 to 100 boat fleets. Most of them are out on the sea every week for the entire season. Having all those boats arrive on Saturday morning by 9 would be pretty chaotic and impossible. Respecting the Friday afternoon comeback is necessary for charters to run the business properly and have the boats ready for all the clients as they have extremely limited time before the charters.
How to manage provisioning on board?
While bare-boat chartering, you are in charge of purchasing all the food and beverages for the boat. You might think about that and plan to arrive earlier for going shopping before the yacht is ready for boarding. There is also a possibility to order provisioning online a couple of days before your charter and the food will be delivered to your yacht. If you have a charter with the hostess she will give you a hand with the provisioning upon your arrival or will assist you at online shopping. Full Crewed charter would usually provide full provisioning by the crew, and they will store it on the boat before your arrival.
Do I have internet and mobile connection during the charter?
Nothing to be worried about staying in touch with family, friends, or business. Most of the areas and islands will have signal coverage and you can connect through your own provider, or through WIFI on board.
What is the minimum age for children on a yacht?
Charter guests can be anyone. Small children and babies are welcome to enjoy the yachts as well. Consider focusing even more on safety when coming with the kids aboard. Your broker might advise putting the safety net around the yacht fence and choosing more of a relaxed route, skipping the rough sea navigation.
Can we bring our pets with us?
Most of the yachts will allow having your furry friends aboard. Communicate with your charter broker to find the pet friendly yacht, it shouldn’t be a tough mission.
How should I pack for a yacht charter?
Yachts are designed so that there is no space to waste. There are many hidden storage spots to put your stuff in. Make sure you pack clothes into the soft luggage so you can fold and store them once when you unpack. Big solid luggage takes a lot of space. Generally try to avoid overpacking as the space on the yacht is limited. Even though you are coming to sunny and hot destinations, it’s always good to have a piece or two of a bit warmer clothes when spending time on the sea.
How to create itinerary?
It’s great to have in advance the sample itinerary, but knowing that the yachting route is subject to changes is crucial for a happy charter. Whether you made your own route or in accordance with your crew, it should be modified on your first day of a charter according to the situation. Sticking blindly with the route that is made months in advance is impossible in nautical tourism and very often leads to disappointments.
Is it possible to change itinerary during the charter or stay at the same place for longer?
It’s very common to change itinerary during the week. Do the same route another way, skip some places or skip sailing for a day or two. Weather is the most important element when creating a charter route. After that comes the availability of places you want to go. When you have these two things on your mind then you can make your route wishes accordingly.
What if there is a bad weather?
We are happy to talk about this element a couple of times due to its importance. Safety is the primary on the boat. Don’t feel bad to stay around the port for one more day and explore ashore activities in severe weather. Bad weather in yacht charter doesn’t always mean rain and thunderstorms, it might include a sunny but very windy day for sailing. Don’t put your crew and yourself at risk and relax onshore or just on the boat in a protected area.
Should I tip the crew?
The right crew will be your right hand and help you in every situation possible. If you are happy with the service you might wish to give them gratuity. Even though the level is totally up to your preferences, it is customary to leave a tip of 10 to 15% of the base charter fee.
CONTACT OUR YACHT CHARTER EXPERTS
Submit the form below to get personalized help from our experienced team of yachting professionals.
FIND US
FINE SAILING NAUTICAL LIMITED
2 The Charter, Santry Cross, Dublin, Ireland
Office: Put Žnjana 43, Split, Croatia
