| There is nothing more enjoyable than being out on | | | | Guard regulations. - All US charter boats must comply |
| the water on a course of your own whim. Cruise | | | | with USCG safety requirements and are subject to |
| ships are locked into specific routes months in | | | | inspections. |
| advance. - And even if you sit at the captains table | | | | Private charter boats come in all shapes and sizes to |
| every night, you will probably not be successful at | | | | fit any would-be ocean explorer, weekend pirate, or |
| convincing him to steer an alternate course to satisfy | | | | legendary fish slayer - or anyone else that loves |
| your curious desires. Sight seeing and tour boats are | | | | boating. The basic categories for private charters are |
| usually the same kind of deal. If there are lots of | | | | most commonly Sailboats, Cruising Yachts, and Fishing |
| other people, your desires just don't count for much. | | | | Boats. Small watercraft like speedboats, day sailors, |
| However, charter your own vessel, and suddenly you | | | | kayaks and jet skies are usually referred to as |
| are in control of your vacation destiny! | | | | rentals rather than charters. It just doesn't sound |
| There are two types of charters generally offered in | | | | right when you call up your buddies to join you on |
| seaport towns. "Bare Boat" charters mean you're the | | | | the canoe you chartered for the weekend. |
| captain. - You are responsible for the safe navigation | | | | What is most important about booking a charter is to |
| and return of the vessel. "Skippered Charters" mean | | | | decide on what kind of experience you would like to |
| that a captain (and often a crew) is provided. - In | | | | have. Are you a wildlife enthusiast, adventure seeker |
| this case, if you are not sharing the charter with | | | | or sportsman? Are you desiring peaceful solitude or |
| anyone else, you are the Admiral. - You get to direct | | | | romance? Are you planning a special event or |
| the captain (within varying degrees of reason | | | | wanting to impress your clients enough for them to |
| depending on the region, sea conditions, schedule, | | | | buy your services? What ever it is, its best to think |
| and the tolerance the captain has for your incisive | | | | through your ideal voyage before you leave the |
| nagging to drive the boat where it can't be driven. | | | | dock. |
| Most skippers of private charter boats are more than | | | | The atmosphere varies greatly onboard each charter |
| happy to let you make decisions on where you want | | | | vessel. Some are elegant and modern, while others |
| to go within the confines of the sea charts, time | | | | carry traditional charm. While still others are very |
| limits, and safe operation of the vessel. | | | | utilitarian and ideal suited for a specific purpose like |
| Quite often in the United States, you will run across a | | | | fishing or adventure exploration. When you decide |
| term called "Six-Pack Charters". - It has nothing to do | | | | what kind of experience you are seeking, it will |
| with how much beer you can bring on the boat or | | | | become more obvious on the type of vessel you will |
| how well you exercise your abs. Six-pack is a term | | | | want to book. |
| used by the US Coast Guard to classify certain types | | | | It's good to know a few simple things about boat |
| of charter boats. Boats that are limited to six | | | | design too. In general, the bigger and wider the boat, |
| passengers are often originally built as private | | | | the less it will rock. If motion sickness is problematic |
| pleasure craft. The US Coast Guard highly regulates | | | | in your group, then chartering the largest boat your |
| the construction of commercial passenger vessels | | | | money can afford may be your best option. - Be |
| without regard to size. It's an expensive process for | | | | sure that it has a lot of windows so that queasy |
| the builder to get a US Coast Guard certificate. | | | | passengers can keep their eyes on the horizon. For |
| Because of this, the USCG allows small charter | | | | the smoothest, most peaceful ride, traditionally |
| operators to use "Uninspected Vessels" for charter | | | | designed wood boats can't be beat. Big engines can |
| as long as the number of paying passengers does | | | | make a lot of noise and fumes but get you long |
| not exceed six people (including children). This is why | | | | distances quickly, while lower horse power engines |
| you can scream, kick and holler at a six-pack captain, | | | | can be quite and efficient, but limit your cruising |
| without usually getting an ounce of sympathy toward | | | | distance and require strategic planning to avoid |
| your long lost cousin that happened to show up at | | | | bucking the tides. |
| the dock. The US Coast Guard is now governed by | | | | Whether can frequently be an issue when you are |
| Homeland Security and is not negotiable in such | | | | selecting a charter boat. If there is a chance of cold |
| matters. If you are looking to a skippered charter to | | | | rainy weather, you want may to make sure you |
| take out more than six people in the US, then it has | | | | either have the right clothing to stay warm and dry |
| to be on an inspected vessel. There is one exception | | | | or choose a vessel with comfortable inside spaces. |
| in that if the boat has a net tonnage in excess of | | | | Hot and muggy weather may prompt your desire for |
| 100 tons, then the limit is 12 people under certain | | | | air-conditioned cabins. Studying the equipment and |
| conditions. - This is usually a relatively large boat (80 | | | | amenities available on each charter boat you consider |
| to 150 ft). The term "uninspected" does not mean | | | | will help you decide what you need in the waters you |
| that the charter boat is not compliant with US Coast | | | | will be cruising. |