You don’t have to own a yacht to enjoy a sailing vacation. Chartering a sailboat gives you the independence to discover small, secluded anchorages for a romantic getaway or enjoy fun-filled island-hopping with family and friends. Charters are even great venues for corporate meetings and retreats.

 

Chartered sailing yachts are available in North America, the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean. The two major companies in the charter business are the Moorings, with 29 destinations, and Sunsail, with over 24 charter bases throughout the world. Both maintain the highest standards for their modern, cutting-edge fleets.  The fleets consist of sailboats in all sizes. Monohulls range from 30 feet to over 50 feet and catamarans are typically 38 feet to 47 feet. Catamarans have a bit more living space because the cabins are in the two hulls connected by a bridge deck. The twin hull design makes for more stability, while the average monohull will have a 35 to 45 degree heel. Catamarans also tend to have 20 – 30% more speed than similar length monohulls and their twin engines make it more maneuverable. It is a personal choice, but cats are very popular for family and group sailing.

 

So you aren’t sure if you know enough about sailing to charter a yacht? There is a charter option for every experience level. My favorite, and arguably the most popular, is a bareboat charter. This simply means that you rent the boat and skipper it yourself. You should have some sailing experience and understand seamanship and navigation, but most people with previous experience will qualify. While no formal certification is usually required, the charter company should assess your ability by a questionnaire or a demonstration. NauticEd offers a variety of online sailing courses, including a Bareboat Charter Clinic, or the major charter companies have sailing programs to refresh your skills. Provisioning options are available or you can handle your own grocery shopping, but galley duty is up to you!

 

If you like the idea of bareboat charter, but feel more secure with a helping hand nearby, you can sail in a flotilla of up to 12 boats.  The group will have a lead boat with a crew that includes a skipper, a technician, and a hostess, while you sail your own chartered yacht. This balances freedom and independence with support. A flotilla is a great way to travel with a group who has different skill levels, or even for experienced sailors to explore new destinations.

If the closest you have ever been to a sailboat was seeing one in the movies and you have no intention of learning to sail, you can still charter a sailboat by hiring a captain, or even a full crew, complete with professional chef. In this way, you can relax and enjoy the luxury of your chartered yacht with a skipper at the helm and a crew to attend to your every need.

Whatever your choice, chartering a sailing yacht is a fun, casual way to vacation. Prices are comparable to cruise line vacations, but you get to choose the itinerary and how long to stay in port. Contact Covington to arrange a bareboat or skippered charter for your next vacation, then put on some Jimmy Buffett music and get ready to sail away!