We receive many questions regarding the what, where, why, when and how to charter when talking to clients. In the future, this section will discuss chartering including terminology, procedures, regulations, etc. This month we will discuss some of the terminology used in chartering.
 
Types of Charters -  There are several types of charters which sometimes cause confusion

Bareboat - this doesn't mean the boat is bare (yes, believe it or not we have been asked). A bareboat charter only means that one or more of the passengers act as the captain.
Captain or Skippered - a Captain is hired on a daily basis to skipper the boat. A skipper does not have to be hired for the entire charter. It is suggested that a skipper be hired for a couple of days when chartering in unfamiliar areas. Charter companies require that provisioning for the skipper and generally a separate cabin be provided by the client.
Crewed - crewed charters are similar to skippered charters, but include a second crew member that acts as a cook/host. Larger yachts may have a third crew member that assists the Captain and passengers with a variety of duties.
All Inclusive - these charters can vary from operator to operator. They usually include crew, provisioning and toys. When asking for an all inclusive charter, it is highly recommended that a complete understanding of what is included and what is NOT included is specified.
Cabin Cruise - these are charters where only a cabin or cabins are contracted. The charter company fills the other cabins that are not filled by the client. These charters always have a complete crew and are usually on larger yachts with provisioning and numerous amenities included. If you like to meet new people, this can be the most economical way to charter. It is also the easiest way to introduce yourself to a new area.
Flotillas - flotillas are several boats that travel together during the charter. The client can charter more than one boat or join other boats in the flotilla. They are organized by the charter company for clients that are not familiar with an area or enjoy the camaraderie of sailing in groups. The charter company will have a skipper and possibly a host on one of the yachts to "show the way" and assist with problems. Most companies allow yachts to venture away from the flotilla and rejoin when wanted.
 
Sailing Levels - Many charter companies rank sailing areas due to the weather, currents, sailing distances, availability of anchorages, etc. Level 1 is the easiest and Level 3 the hardest. You will need to provide additional sailing experience or resume to sail in the higher level areas.
 
 If you have any questions that need answers or have suggestions to what information should be included in this section, please drop us an email. If you have any experiences or comments that could be useful, such as the Salerno experience in our earlier newsletter, please send them to us and we will include them if space permits. We want everyone to feel part of our sailing family, so we hope you will pass on any comments and ideas that we can share with everyone.