| Whether you decide to opt for a sailing yacht or a | | | | with company nearby then you might choose to take |
| power yacht depending on your taste and experience | | | | a flotilla charter instead. This allows you to sail your |
| the categories of charter are the same, what ever | | | | own yacht but have the support of a professional |
| your budget, and there are three basic types. | | | | skipper and crew member leading the flotilla on their |
| Bareboat charter is for the more experienced person | | | | own yacht. You sail in company with other yachts and |
| who has been sailing before. In fact the boat owner | | | | the agenda is arranged by the flotilla skipper who has |
| will insist on some type of qualification from a national | | | | all the local knowledge to make your vacation |
| authority before agreeing on the charter. This | | | | pleasurable. As you acquire knowledge and become |
| qualification will be something like an Offshore Skipper | | | | more confident you may wish to sail independently of |
| Certificate, depending where you are from. On a | | | | the flotilla but arrange to meet up with them at the |
| bareboat charter you are your own skipper, mate, | | | | next harbor or anchorage. You will still be able to stay |
| mechanic, deckhand, chef and dinghy driver. Whilst on | | | | in contact with the flotilla by radio in case you need |
| charter it is up to you to arrange all the watch keeping, | | | | help. |
| safety, daily routine etc. To be able to take on a | | | | The other category is that of a crewed yacht. This |
| bareboat charter you will be familiar with a yacht | | | | can be any amount of crew from just a skipper |
| routine and know what to do. If you are a little rusty or | | | | owner through to a large yacht with captain, mate and |
| not familiar with the type of yacht then you may wish | | | | full crew. A husband and wife crew on their own |
| to employ a skipper for the whole charter or for just a | | | | yacht is quite common where the wife will do all the |
| few days. You will quickly learn from the skipper | | | | cooking and domestic chores and lend a hand crewing |
| before taking over on your own but you must realize | | | | as well. You will not be asked to do too much work |
| that the skipper will require a cabin for his time on | | | | but of course you can be involved as much as you |
| board so allow for that when planning your vacation. | | | | want. So what is the difference here to the skippered |
| Yachts offered for bareboat charter are more than | | | | bareboat, it is the fact that the yacht is owned by the |
| likely to be older yachts that have been used as | | | | husband and wife team and will be in better condition |
| instructional yachts as well as hired by less than | | | | and well maintained. They will take greater pride in their |
| accomplished sailors. They are unlikely to be in pristine | | | | yacht and will see themselves as hosts rather than |
| condition as they have been used and have acquired | | | | paid crew. |
| bumps and scratches from contact with jetties and | | | | Fully crewed yachts are the most expensive option |
| inside galley spills leaving their mark. However you will | | | | but if you can afford it then you will find yourself fully |
| still have lots of fun with good value for money a the | | | | pampered and served by the crew. If you are |
| charter rate will be lower for this type of yacht. | | | | combining your budget with your friends then possibly |
| The size of the yacht could be anything up to 60 feet | | | | your will be able to charter such a yacht. The yachts |
| and will be comfortable and easy to handle for you | | | | vary tremendously in size and style but luxury and |
| and your party. Single hull sailing yachts, catamarans | | | | service are the key words. A 46 foot sailing yacht |
| and power yachts are all available for the same cost | | | | with four guests will cost around $20000 for a week |
| or less than the cost per person on a mid range cruise | | | | plus expenses such as food, fuel and berthing fees. At |
| ship. If you wish to employ a skipper or a chef | | | | the other end of the scale hiring a 170 foot motor |
| deckhand then obviously the cost will increase to pay | | | | yacht with accommodation for ten guests would be |
| their wages, possibly up to $300 per day for the | | | | around $250000 plus expenses. So you can see that |
| skipper, who will do most of the work on board and | | | | at this end of the market there is a yacht for every |
| make life easier for you. | | | | taste as long as you can afford to pay for it. |
| If you are lacking the experience or would feel happy | | | | |