There are three
types of charters: bareboat, skippered and crewed. What does this
mean? The bareboat yacht charter comes without a
crew, with skippered yacht charter you rent both the boat
and a skipper while with crewed charter you get a fully crewed
yacht.
You are allowed to choose a bareboat charter if you are
a licensed skipper. When chartering a yacht with no crew
you will be obliged to have all the necessary certificates, permits
and documents that prove you are able to sail by yourself. You and
your guests (your crew) will be required to take out accident
insurance and provide a security deposit before you can charter a
boat. All this evidence of your sailing abilities and prior
experience is necessary because neither the boat nor your life are
cheap.
On the other hand, if you do not have such documents, you will
have to choose a skippered yacht charter. Your
charter company will provide you with a skipper who will steer the
boat, decide on the route (in accordance with you), and keep you
safe. Skippers are usually chosen not only for their sailing
experience but also for their "people skills" and local
knowledge about the chosen sailing destination. Your
skipper will not only steer the boat but also show you some "trade
secrets" if you are interested in sailing and act as a kind of a
tourist guide who will show you the best your sailing destination
has to offer. Note that you have to take care of the skipper's
meals.
If you want the
maximum comfort and relaxation, opt for the crewed
charter. By choosing a crewed charter, you also get the crew
who will navigate, sail and prepare the beverages and meals. You
are free to decide on the itinerary whereas the crew takes you
wherever you want and provides you with three meals a day. Meals
they prepare are of the highest quality, prepared to meet your
taste and reflect the local cuisine. Note that
crewed charter yachts tend to be more luxurious and have additional
equipment like waterskis or A/C. The crew will take care of your
safety and your comfort but you must not treat them like
servants.
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