How to Plan and Book a Bareboat Charter - Guide from a Broker with over 1,000 Trips

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 13:34:39 +0000

NauticEd Sailing and Yacht Vacations - https://www.nauticed.org/sailing-vacations

Planning your first bareboat charter? This step-by-step guide walks you through how to book (broker vs direct), license/experience requirements, beginner-friendly destinations, real costs & deposits, insurance, contracts, provisioning options, add-ons, and common scams to avoid—so your sailing vacation (mono or catamaran charter) goes smoothly.

What you’ll learn:

- Bareboat vs crewed, and broker vs direct booking
- License/experience proof (SLC/ICC & skipper resume)
- Top beginner destinations (BVI, Bahamas, Croatia, Greece) & best seasons
- True costs: base rate, fees, security deposits, damage waiver, fuel, moorings
- Add-ons & provisioning (skipper, toys, meal plans, shopping services)
- Contracts & insurance fine print + red flags/scams to avoid
- Boat choice: monohull vs catamaran, size, layouts
- Booking timeline, checklist, and tips for families & first-timers