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| Caribbean Sailing Articles |
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Having A Crew For Charter Sailing - Crewed Charter Contrary to bareboat, a crewed charter includes various members of sailing crew along with the boat, most importantly a captain or skipper. Though the captain sails the vessel, the charterers legally possesses it while under contract and create their own itinerary. A typical crew consists of a captain, cook, and maybe some other staff to help with anchoring, mooring, or watchout. Packages vary in price, depending on your budget, and fully crewed charters tend to be more expensive as the customer becomes responsible for the crew's wages as well as the vessel. The pricy fee per crew member can range around a thousand dollars a night, as an extreme. Most often, you will interview potential crew members through your agency after you make your reservation. Many companies stress the importance of having a compatible crew during your vacation. Large agencies tend to offer more choices than smaller ones. The captain's duties include sailing and maintaining the ship, with or without additional crew members, and acting as a tour guide if you're traveling through unfamiliar waters. Keep your preferences in mind as you choose a compatible captain. Visitors who charter for the first time usually prefer to hire someone who acts more as a guide. The captain might direct tours of the surrounding areas and even get involved with vacation activities, acting as a friend as well as hired help. Other charterers might want a more aloof relationship, preferring a more private vacation. Your cook prepares the meals onboard, accommodating your schedule, and cleans up the galley afterwards. Gratuities range 10 to 15 percent of the charter fee, per crew member. For an extra fee, some chartering agencies offer sailing courses. During your vacation, an instructor teaches you to sail. A typical course curriculum includes the parts of the boat, how to use them, and safety procedures. See the above section for more details on sailing lessons. |
