Today, there are several options for someone who would like to enjoy a sailing holiday. The “sea dog” or the complete novice, can both find a holiday which will satisfy their needs. Singles, pairs or a group of people, can all enjoy the pleasures of sailing holidays, thanks to the wide variety of options offered. Price also, NFT monkey can significantly vary to match all budgets and desired luxury levels.
I will attempt to analyze for you all the given options and leave to you the decision, as to which one of the sailing vacations suits you the most.
BAREBOATS
What is it: Bareboating is the chartering vacation, where you charter the whole boat for a certain time period -usually from one to three weeks- and you are fully responsible for the condition of your vessel, until the moment you will return her to the charter company/owner. You may skipper the boat by yourself (you must have the necessary skills for that), or appoint a member of your crew to be the skipper, or even hire a professional skipper. You will always need to leave a refundable security deposit with your company/owner, to cover possible damages to the yacht. Provisions, breakfasts, etc. are never included in the price. The boat is “bare”
Most bare boats are from 30 to 50 feet in length and you can charter a conventional single hulled yacht (mono-hull), a catamaran or a powerboat. Sailing yachts are far more popular, charteracatamaraninthebvi and common, than powerboats. Bareboats come equipped with everything needed to operate them from kitchen utensils to towels, sheets and bedding. Almost all bareboat companies provide you with a dinghy, when the outboard can be at no charge or charged as an “extra”.
Advantages: In one word freedom. To sail anywhere you like at any time you desire (within your sailing area and charter period limitations of course). Another advantage is your privacy, the luxury to be with your family or close friends only.
Disadvantages: The nature of bareboat requires the yachts to be as simple as possible for “ease of use”, as well as to minimize the chances of a problem occurring. So, forget fancy electronic equipment -a VHF, an echo sounder and a GPS- are the basic instruments you will find on all bareboat vessels. I don’t mention speed logs, as they usually do not function. Also, chances for something to go “wrong” are rather high, therefore a good and effective owner/agent is a must.
Costs: The price for a charter/week may vary due to the different yacht size, but per person the price is approx. euros 50 per day (a 44 feet -at euros 3.000 per week- for 8 persons will cost (per person) the same, like a 32 feet -at euros 1.500 per week- for 4 persons). You may reduce the cost if you choose a budget boat, an one-way trip or to sail out of the high peak season.
Other bareboat categories
Skippered bareboats: Like the simple bareboat, but you hire a skipper. You “lose” your privacy but you gain “luxury”, as there is somebody else to worry in the nights if the anchor is holding. Notice that the need for the security deposit applies, as when you hire a captain for a bareboat it is similar to hiring a driver for your rental car. You are still responsible for the operation of the yacht and the captain is treated as your employee. Skippered bareboats are also more expensive, as well as the skipper’s fees (approx. euros 130 per day), he is usually required to have a private cabin. This means you’ll need a larger yacht than would otherwise be necessary.
Flotilla sailing: Although by many is considered as a different type of yachting holidays, flotilla sailing is a bareboat, with the addition of a leading boat and crew. You still charter the whole boat and you are fully responsible for the condition of your vessel. You also need to leave a refundable security deposit.
Usually the flotilla boats are from 27 to 36 feet and they are sailing in a group of 6 to 12 yachts. You enjoy privacy but you lose the freedom (to a degree), bostonhaikusociety as you have to follow a pre-scheduled program. You also gain the comfort of a leading crew to guide you and provide you assistance whenever needed. This assistance and the large number of people in a flotilla group, has made this type of sailing holiday popular for families. As expected, is more expensive (approx. 20%) than simple bareboat…
SAILING CRUISES (cabin charters)
What is it: A sailing cruise (you may find the term as cabin charter, berth charter or skippered share boating) is the type of sailing vacation, where you will reserve a berth (or a cabin if you are a couple) on a yacht on a pre-scheduled trip. Is very similar to an ordinary cruise, only instead of a big cruise liner you sail with a yacht. As there is always crew on-board, you are not responsible for the condition of the vessel and there is no need to leave a security deposit.
The vessels in sailing cruises are usually yachts from 45 to 55 feet, although in some countries you may find other sorts of vessels (in Turkey you will find the “gullets”, which are 60 to 90 feet motorsailers, when in Holland they use traditional 30 meters boats). Sometimes breakfast is included, when in others it is not. Notice that, although this holiday is similar to a cruise, by no means you should expect the luxury and comforts a large cruise liner can offer you. It is always an “adventure holiday”.
Advantages: You can book a single berth, or as many as you want and there is no need of sailing experience on your side. You may choose to be as active or passive as you like. Since these yachts are operated continuously by professional crew, chances for major breakdowns are less than in bareboat.
