| A look at different types of yacht charter on the | | | | lunchtime barbecues and the famous last night party. |
| market - flotilla sailing, skippered yacht charter, | | | | The engineer is there to repair the boats while the |
| crewed yacht charter, bareboat yacht charter | | | | holiday makers will do their best to break things as |
| Chartering a boat is a good way to sail without the | | | | they learn to sail. My initial impression of this type of |
| expense of owning your own boat. If you can't | | | | charter was that the whole thing would be a bit |
| spend more than a few weeks a year sailing and | | | | regimented with all the boats in the flotilla following |
| few people can the the option of chartering is | | | | the lead boat like ducklings do a duck. This is far |
| definitely worth serious consideration. It also provides | | | | from what happens in practice. The day begins with |
| the opportunity to sail different boats in varied and | | | | the skipper of the lead boat carrying out a briefing |
| far off locations. Choose between sail and power. | | | | giving the destination you will be expected to make |
| Get the right boat in terms of size dependent on the | | | | for during the day and any navigational considerations |
| number of people chartering and the depth of your | | | | along the way and then you're pretty much on your |
| pocket. | | | | own. The next time you see the lead boat will be at |
| Apart from the choice of the type of boat, size and | | | | that evenings destination where the crew will be |
| cost there are various types of charter packages | | | | waiting to assist you with berthing. A great way to |
| available and this article takes a closer look at what is | | | | sail in company with the reassurance that |
| on offer. | | | | experienced help is never more than a VHF call away. |
| Flotilla Sailing - A great way to get started for those | | | | Skippered Charter - Perhaps you're a bit short of |
| with an bit of an independent streak. And the social | | | | experience or don't want the responsibility of |
| scene is can be something else. The flotilla | | | | managing the boat or the navigation. As the name |
| usuallycomprises of 8/10 boats, one of which, | | | | suggests you charter the boat and the skipper |
| referred to as the lead boat, carries a skipper, | | | | comes with it. You're expected to make up the |
| hostess and an engineer. The skipper will be | | | | numbers of the crew but all the responsibility is with |
| responsible for ensuring that the guests on the other | | | | the skipper. In practice the level of involvement of |
| boats in the flotilla have the navigational skills and | | | | the charterers is down to them. Most skippers are |
| boat handling/seamanship skills required providing help | | | | flexible enough to allow the customers as much |
| and advice where required. The hostess will organise | | | | involvement as they wish. |
| the social events - meals out in the evening, | | | | |