Hire Boat Charters For Your Sailing Vacation
David Hackert, president of Prestige Yacht Charters, says nothing beats boat charters when it comes to celebrating your special day, whether it is a birthday, an anniversary or a wedding. “Think about the weddings you have attended in the past. You celebrated, danced and went home,” he explains. “A wedding on a yacht, however, could offer panoramic views, imposing skylines or even an exploration of serene inlets and coves. It would be an occasion your guests would remember for the rest of their lives.” There are many decisions to make when it comes to selecting from the diverse pool of luxury yachts but the benefits far exceed the initial effort.
Do you want to be a skipper? This is one of the first decisions to make when considering a private boat charter. If the answer is “yes,” then be prepared to hand over your boating resume to the charter company, which includes several years of experience sailing the size and type of boat you intend to charter. At www.ebare.com, you can take an assessment to see if you are ready for smooth sailing and to see what your options are if you are not quite prepared. You may need to take a few boating and safety courses before being allowed to hold supreme power aboard your private yacht.
- You may need to take a few boating and safety courses.
- You can find knowledgeable brokers through the American Yacht Charter Association.
- Smaller boats, sailboats and off-season trips all offer deep discounts.
On the day of your charter, some companies may take you out on a demo cruise, where you will demonstrate your knowledge. If you flunk the demo, then the company will place a captain aboard your vessel. If, on the other hand, you pass your demo, then congratulations! You will be commanding your first bareboat charter.
Next you will need to decide whether you want to go through a yacht broker or a boat charters company. A yacht broker is like a personal travel agent paid a commission by various charter companies at no extra expense to you. This trained professional will have an in-depth knowledge of various crews, chefs, ships, companies and destinations to assemble a grand sailing vacation.
You can find knowledgeable brokers through the American Yacht Charter Association, the Charter Yacht Brokers Association or international groups, like the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association or the British Columbia Yacht Brokers Association. If you decide to go with an experienced charter company which has packages already put together, then be sure they have at least 10 years of experience, client testimonials, new yachts, a wide choice of amenities and a friendly staff.
The cost of boat charters is entirely up to you. Many beginners choose to hop aboard sailing yachts with a handful of other couples to offset the cost. Affordable trips can also be taken in a flotilla fleet, which offers a good middle-ground for relatively inexperienced sailors who still crave the privacy of their own boat.
Smaller boats, sailboats and off-season trips all offer deep discounts. Choosing an all-inclusive sailing vacation is a good way to prevent overspending on port stops, food or other unanticipated expenses. As you travel more and more, you will soon be ready to command your own boat, sail on luxury yacht charters or throw an extravagant party aboard a crewed yacht charter!
