How to Charter a Yacht

You may want to charter a yacht for a number of reasons. Traveling by sea may be most expeditious way to get you to your destination, or you may want to hit the open waters for some big game fishing. You can even charter a cruiser or sailboat for a day or a week to see how it handles before you buy one for yourself.

Instructions

1. Schedule your charter in the off-season wherever you plan to go to get better rates. Summer in the islands is a great time to get fantastic rates. In the winter in New England, you'll find many charter boats available for lower rates.

2. Decide if you want to hire a crew or handle the boat yourself. When you charter a yacht without a crew it is called a bareboat or barefoot charter. You will have to show licenses or logs with hours that you've sailed in some instances, especially for sailboats or catamarans.

3. Go for a package deal that includes airfare and ground transportation if you don't live near the water where you'll board. You'll save money through a dealer or travel agent if you bundle all your travel needs.

4. Get a reference if you can before booking a charter to go fishing or diving. The success of charters that offer activities rely heavily on the skills and personalities of the captains and their crews. Talk to friends or spend a little time interviewing the captain before signing on for a charter. Some crews are very involved with their guests, while others will stay out of your way and just drive the boat to your destinations.

Resources

• Find directory listings for fishing and diving charters.
• Search huge database of charter boat companies worldwide.
• Charter a boat that you are thinking of buying.
• Charter a sail or motor yacht anywhere in the world.