Mega Bored
There’s nothing quite like sailing to the open sea on a yacht full speed ahead. But to make your vacation an enjoyable one, there are several things you need to consider before hiring a yacht charter. In today’s post, we are listing down all the factors you have to consider first before booking a yacht:
Types of Yacht Service to Get
There are two types of charter yachts available for booking: bareboat charter and skippered charter. Bareboat charter is best for people who know the ins and outs of a yacht. This is a great choice for those who want total freedom to sail wherever and whenever.
But if you don’t know how to sail, then we recommend a skippered yacht charter. This service comes with an experienced skipper who is knowledgeable about operating a yacht as well as routes in a specific area.
Yacht Types
The size of the watercraft matters. You want a yacht that suits your needs so consider the number of people you will take on your trip as well as your budget. From here, you can narrow down your options to what yacht size to get. A larger yacht is suitable for locations with low wind and easy waters. When inspecting the yacht, check the equipment offered onboard and see if it is big enough to accommodate the number of guests you have.
Cabin Sizes
Some yachts can be rented overnight, but the cabin is usually cramped. Some yachts are licensed to carry more people and that means larger cabin spaces. However, yachts coded by the MCA under the Small Commercial Vessel regulations are not allowed to carry more than 12 guests.
Reputation and Sailing Experience
While it’s tempting to pounce on a great offer, cheaper rates aren’t everything. We strongly recommend choosing a reputable charter company that can provide quality service. The company you need to choose is one that puts your safety first.
The fact is, there is no legal requirement for charter companies to impose a formal qualification. Usually, the insurance companies will stipulate the level of experience required to charter a boat. This is the reason why terms will vary from one company to another. Your best bet is to check online to see which charter companies are most trusted by more people.
Rate Coverage
So what are the things covered by the rates? That’s another factor you need to know before signing up for a service. Most charter companies will only advertise the rates and not the things covered by the price. Don’t choose blindly. Ask if the charter company has a policy on refueling the tanks, the cleaning of the boat, and other pertinent charges for maintenance.
Safety Equipment
Ask if waterproofs, cruise chute, and outboard are available to hire. Finally, ask the charter rep what equipment is available in the yacht. In the UK, all charter yachts must carry a minimum standard of safety equipment under the MCA Code of Practice for Small Commercial Vessels or MGN 280. The safety standards will, of course, vary from country to country.
At the least, the yacht must have fire extinguishers, flares, dinghy, first-aid kits, life jackets, life rafts and other serviceable safety equipment. The yacht must be equipped with the right navigation tools including pilot guide, charts, radar, hand-bearing compass, binoculars, and so on.
