Expert Advice

Five Tips for a Safer Charter

by Zuzana Prochazka, Posted April 26, 2013

There’s nothing quite so liberating as being on charter. Not only are you on vacation, you’re on a sailing vacation, with the express mission to explore, enjoy and relax. Except, of course, when things get serious.

Forty-one Years of Bareboat Chartering in the Caribbean

by Rod MacIlvaine, Posted September 14, 2012

On Christmas Day 1969, after we’d opened presents, with wrapping paper still strewn across the floor, my father made an announcement: “Our big present this year is a trip to the Virgin Islands.” I was ecstatic.

Crewed Yachts for Bareboaters

by Laurie Fullerton, Posted May 22, 2012

Any bareboat skipper who’s experienced a restless night at anchor knows that bareboating can sometimes be stressful. And while some veteran bareboaters positively enjoy planning trips and controlling ships, others know how glorious it can be to give up the helm and embrace the vacation. That’s when they try out crewed yacht chartering.

5 Essential Travel Tips

by Sail Staff, Posted October 23, 2007

I somehow got on the distribution list for Magellan's newsletter—Magellan's is a catalogue and online seller of travel-related items—and (surprise!) find that its travel advice is often useful. If you're planning a charter outside the U.S., take note of these suggestions for using ATMs rather than traveler's checks (this seems to be the way things are going).

Have a Question About Chartering?

by Sail Staff, Posted April 15, 2008

ASK SAIL'S EXPERTS[Q:] I am going to be in Athens, Greece, on business and have reserved five days for a charter. What do you suggest?[A:] The best way to make use of the available time is to start and end your charter close to Athens; this means cruising to the islands of the Saronic Gulf—Aegina, Poros (the famous theater at Epidavros is nearby), Hydra, and

Is It Time for Boat Swapping?

by Sail Staff, Posted May 15, 2008

An online match-making service for boatowners interested in boat swapping, launched earlier this year at www.seemysea.com, is now claiming members from many corners of the world. The premise: To allow busy boatowners to travel in far-away spots without piling the cost of chartering on top of the cost of already owning a boat at home. A one-year

Have a Question About Chartering Hawaii?

by Sail Staff, Posted May 15, 2008

ASK SAIL'S EXPERTS By Amy UllrichA reader wonders"I have been trying to find either a crewed or bareboat charter in Hawaii and have been unable to find a charter of the type I've experienced in the Caribbean. Does Hawaii prohibit or limit sailing charters?"It isn't the political entity of Hawaii that limits sailing charters and discourages

Have a Question about Longterm Charters?

by Sail Staff, Posted June 12, 2008

Edited by Amy UllrichA READER ASKSMenno Speyer, who lives in Qubec, wants to know about longer-term charters. "We currently own a boat," he writes, "but are considering selling it. We would still like to be out on the water for at least a month each year. We're thinking of warm-water locationsthe Caribbean, the South Pacific, Asia, and other warm places. How can we

What if it Goes Wrong?

by Sail Staff, Posted July 10, 2008

The word is "most."Most bareboat-charter companies are able to hire a skipper for you at most or all of their bases and most can also find an instructional skipper, should you want to brush up your basic sailing skills or acquire cruising-specific knowledge. Most of the time it goes well. You not only pay the skipper, but are also expected to provide a cabin on your boat for him/her as

Special Treats

by Amy Ullrich, Posted August 7, 2008

Caribbean. Everyone likes to save money—and why not. If you must have some time in the tropics and can’t wait for the summer specials in the Caribbean and the Bahamas to kick in (see May SAIL for a rundown)—and if you’re flexible about dates—you’ll find that most bareboat companies in the Caribbean are offering last-minute online specials. The list on sailmagazine.com links to company Web