Frequently asked Questions

What's the difference between Bareboats and Crewed Yachts?

How do I find out if I am qualified to bareboat?

If I am not qualified, can I hire a captain?

Can I charter one-way?

How do I reserve a yacht?

Do charters start on a particular day of the week?

How many days are there in a charter "week"?

What's included in the rental fee?

Do we need passports?

Do we need to clear customs with the yacht?

Should we bring the kids?

What should I pack?

What if I have to cancel my trip?

Am I responsible for damage?

How can I be reached in an emergency?

What's on board the boat?

What about food and drinks?

Can I sail after dark?

Can I scuba dive?

What about extra "toys"?

Who do I contact if I can't find the answer to my question?

What's the difference between Bareboats and Crewed Yachts?
You operate a bareboat by yourselves, or hire a captain if necessary. Bareboats are just that - bare. No food, no floating sun mats, CD's or movies while crewed yachts have a permanent crew and many items are included in the price. For additional information on this subject click here.

How do I find out if I'm qualified to bareboat?
Bareboat companies want to see some experience in similar sized yachts or lots of experience in smaller yachts. For most charter areas including the Caribbean you don't need "bareboat certification" though this would help if you are relatively new to boating and sailing. In some overseas areas a "sailing license" may be required. For additional information click here.

If I'm not qualified, can I hire a captain?
Absolutely! In fact, if you're not qualified the Bareboat Company will insist that you do. All bareboat charter agreements state that the company has the right to put a captain aboard at your expense if the base manager feels this is necessary after he meets you and evaluates your skills.

Can I charter one-way?
Some companies permit one-way charters but it generally costs much more. The company will have to send a crew to return the yacht and will lose charter days while doing so. In most cases you're better off chartering for an extra day or two, returning the yacht yourself. This way you'll get extra sailing time and probably won't pay any more than you would for the one-way drop-off.

How do I reserve a yacht?
You'll need to make a charter deposit (usually 25% to 50% of the charter fee depending on the charter company) sign a charter agreement and complete a sailing resume and possibly other paperwork. Most companies accept credit cards for payment though some lower-priced companies do not.

Do charters start on a particular day of the week?
Most companies allow you to start on any day of the week that you like. There can be exceptions to this though, so ask ahead of time.

How many days are there in a charter "week"?
The majority of charter companies charter for a full week, beginning and ending on the same day of the week. In the Caribbean, most charters begin at noon although briefings and checkouts may start as early as 9 am. In such cases, you'll want to arrive on-island the day before your charter begins.

What's included in the rental fee?
Your bareboat charter cost covers the boat only. Most Caribbean companies include a dinghy with outboard. In Florida a dinghy is usually extra. Check for other areas. Many companies require you to take out damage insurance (typically $25 to $30 per day) or if they don't a hefty damage deposit is required. Other expenses (besides your airfare) include provisioning, cruising taxes and more. click here for more information about this topic.

Do we need passports?
You should have passports for all members of your group for any charter taking place in a foreign country. This includes the British Virgin Islands. There have been isolated reports of people being denied entry to these islands without passports. Some countries may require visas as well. Check with your agent or the bareboat company well in advance to avoid suprises.

Do we have to clear customs with the yacht?
Only if you leave one country and enter another. In such case, you need to clear both customs and immigration when you leave the first country, and enter customs and immigration upon arriving at the next. The Bareboat Company will provide you with information about this during your initial boat and chart briefing.

Should we bring the kids?
Kids are seldom bored on charter. They really get into the sailing and particularly the snorkeling and playing on the beach. We'd advise leaving really young kids at home, though. Those 5 and under who don't know the word "No" could be in danger of catching fingers in winches, etc. Get comfortable floatation vests for all young children - something they won't mind wearing.

What should I pack?
Very little. First-time charterers always pack far too much. In the Caribbean you'll be wearing bathing suits and tee shirts or other cover-ups 95% of the time and will NOT need a coat and tie! Bring some boat shoes, water shoes or old sneakers for exploring ashore, light cotton pajamas (wear for the first couple of days while snorkeling to avoid sunburn). For areas other than the Caribbean, needs may vary. Check with the Bareboat Company. Pack an extra flashlight, your own binoculars, a hand-held VHF and a hand-held GPS, if you have them. If your yacht does not have 110v power and you need to recharge a video camera, computer etc. consider bringing a small inverter that will plug into a cigarette lighter. (Radio Shack and other stores sell them). If you really want to live luxuriously, consider bringing a cordless or 12v blender as well, for those frozen drinks.

What if I have to cancel my trip?
Most companies have a relatively affordable cancellation charge ($200 to $500) if you cancel more than 60-90 days before the start of your charter. After that, you usually lose your entire deposit if you have to cancel. Check with the Bareboat Company that you intend to charter with and make sure you understand their cancellation terms. Ask about trip cancellation insurance as well, which under certain circumstances would take care of any such penalties.

Am I responsible for damage?
You are responsible for any damage or loss to the bareboat during the term of your charter. This liability applies even if you hire a captain as he is considered your employee, not the company's. Most companies limit your liability to the amount of the insurance deductible on the yacht and may require a security deposit equal to or less than this figure. Most companies also offer you additional insurance and some even make it mandatory. It reduces your liability further and in some cases provides full coverage. Make sure that you understand the insurance offered and the liability you assume. Insurance does not cover damage caused by extreme negligence. Examples of extreme negligence include sailing into prohibited areas, sailing after dark (unless permitted), and operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

How can I be reached in an emergency?
All bareboats have VHF radios and many areas have marine telephone operators that can contact you through your VHF. Many bareboats have cellular telephones that you can activate if you want to, and in some areas, calls to the base are free. You can of course bring along your own cellphone, but other than in the USA, your phone will probably not roam and you will have to activate it through the local cellphone provider. Calls from the British Virgin Islands back to the USA can be very expensive (up to $4 per minute!). Always get the local phone number of the bareboat base and leave this as an emergency contact number, and call home periodically from a landline if you need to keep in touch. In many areas including the BVI, purchasing a phone card from the local phone company is often the most economical way of making calls.

What's on board the boat?
Everything needed to sail it, anchor it and operate it, but not much else. In the Caribbean, most yachts have dinghies with outboard motors and most companies provide you with snorkeling equipment including mask, fins and snorkel. The galley is fully equipped including hot and cold running water and refrigeration. Most yachts include towels, sheets and bedding. Expect a stereo, and probably, fans in the cabins to help keep you comfortable. Most bareboats do NOT include 110-volt electricity, air conditioning, TV/VCR, video or audiotapes or CD's, floating sun mats, fishing gear, cleaning supplies or any "toys". In other charter areas your boat may not be nearly as well equipped, so make sure that you know what to expect.

What about food and drinks?
Almost all Bareboat Companies provide an optional provisioning service and will have food and drinks delivered right to the yacht for you. You can also arrange provisioning directly with a provisioning service or shop for your own food upon arrival. Take care bringing food with you on the plane. Check customs information for more information about what you can and can't import to Caribbean destinations.

Can I sail after dark?
In most cases Bareboat insurance regulations do not permit you to sail after dark. Exceptions are made in some areas for purposes of making a night crossing in order to make a daylight landfall.

Can I scuba dive?
Nearly all companies will permit you to carry scuba equipment aboard your bareboat. Check with your company to find out if there are any restrictions before making your reservation if scuba is important to you. Most companies will arrange for rental gear to be delivered to the yacht or you may be able to arrange this yourself through the links provided on eBare.com.

What about extra "toys"?
Many companies can help you to arrange for windsurfers, windgliders or kayaks to be delivered to your yacht prior to the charter. You can also arrange rentals yourself. Note however that such toys can get in the way while you are sailing and that in some areas, you can rent such toys by the day, which might be the better way to go.

Who do I contact if I can't find the answer to my question?
If we have not addressed your important question, click here to send us your question. We'll either answer it ourselves or pass it along to someone who can. And we may add your question to this section if we think others might want to know the answer as well.

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