This is the information I send to my friends who are coming along on bareboat sailing charters. I try to get them this information more than a month before they leave for the trip so that if they need to buy anything they’ve got long enough lead time to go shopping without a big rush.
I always review it before sending: the version below reflects the general policies of charter companies but I always verify the specifics before sending if there is any question.
Important Policy Reminders
The {money each paid for the trip} is non-refundable. If the trip is cancelled all money refunded by the charter company will be returned. If you can’t make it you will need to find a person to buy your spot. We can help you with this but ultimately it is your responsibility. The person taking your spot will pay you and not the trip organizers.
The other important term to be aware of is that any cost associated with damage to the boat will be split by everyone. Past estimates of the maximum cost were the deductible minus the insurance premium we pay. The ballpark for that is {ballpark estimate} for each boat.
Life on Board:
Now that you’ve signed up you’ve got no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into and you’re worried? Here’s how a charter has gone in the past, day by day. Or perhaps you prefer a video version of the day by day. Or one long day. Or a shorter more fun filled day.
What is your typical day to day/what kinds of things do you plan?
Typical day is get up, sail to the next awesome place, lunch (sometimes underway), swimming/snorkeling/exploring ashore, sunset then dinner (ashore or aboard).
What if I am not a strong swimmer? Should I bring snorkeling gear?
Let your skipper know ASAP if you are a non-swimmer or a weak swimmer.
Where snorkeling is worthwhile the charter company will provide limited snorkeling gear. Don’t expect it to be in great condition but it will get the job done. If you really care about the gear you use your should bring your own.
What, if anything, should I do about seasickness?
In my experience, for offshore sailors who get seasick half use one Scopolamine patch for the first few days. The other half use Scopolamine for the duration of the trip. None use any other remedy.
And I quote:
I’ve definitely been sea sick, but generally not on charter trips like this. From my observations seasickness is quite personal and there is no guaranteed way to prevent it. That being said, don’t stress about it, odds are you will be fine. Stay hydrated, stay fed but not overly so, and don’t stay below if you start to feel off. (Certainly don’t play pokemon on your phone below deck)
The problem with most seasickness medication is that you have to start taking it before you get sick, so unless you have an established history of getting sick it’s hard to know if it will be needed. If you’ve never been seasick and don’t easily get car sick I’d recommend doing nothing.
The various pills, Dramamine etc…, have never done anything for me, but they have helped others. Regarding Scopolamine: all the folks who wore it on my boat the last trip, 1) got sick at least once anyway and 2) experienced Scopolamine withdrawal at the end of the week that they described as “like sea sickness but much worse”. That being said, I have used Scopolamine off shore for 2 to 3 days and I believe it helped me and had no after effect. If you have an established history of motion sickness I would consider it, but only for the first few days. Scopolamine patches are worn one at a time and run out after three days. I wouldn’t put on a second after the first runs out.
I’d like to emphasize the seasickness is personal point. On the same trip that their boat had such trouble with Scopolamine patches everyone on my boat who used them 1) didn’t get seasick and 2) didn’t have any side effects.
If you want to try Scopolamine you need a prescription; so get on that ASAP. The rest is available over the counter.
If you’re trying out new seasickness medication I suggest trying it before the trip; that way you can figure out what the side effects, if any, feel like on solid ground.
I have dietary restrictions/food allergies/am a picky eater
If you have dietary restrictions of any kind you should let your skipper know and volunteer to help out with provisioning the boats.
Packing:
This is the full packing checklist that I use. I use this list for every sailing trip so it includes a lot of gear I won’t be bringing on this charter where we hop island to island in protected waters during daylight. Specifically, I’ll rely on much of the safety gear provided with the charter boat (ex: Life Jacket/PFDs, tether, bosun’s chair). I certainly won’t be bringing any of the cold weather gear.
For other items everyone always asks about keep reading:
What kind of Suitcase should I bring?
There is limited stowage aboard. What storage there is tends to be oddly shaped. BRING SQUISHABLE LUGGAGE. A cheap duffel bag you usually use for the gym is much better than an overhead rolling bag. Don’t bring:
- Suitcases with frames
- Suitcases with wheels
If you have waterproof bags that can stay on deck overnight that’s very useful.
If you bring a bulky suitcase you might wind up sharing your berth with it and cuddling it every night. That might not be a bad thing if you’re sharing a berth with someone who starfishes 😉
Linens
Linens and bath towels are provided with the boat. Less to pack.
What must I bring?
Sunscreen and swimsuits are required. A long sleeve rash guard is advised if you want to swim a lot and need sun protection. A shade hat is a less slimy sunscreen alternative.
Water Shoes!
Bring water shoes. I’ve only had two trips to the emergency room on boats and both would have been prevented if shoes had been worn.
Device Charging
The boats generally do not have AC power for charging; if you don’t have a DC charger for the device (cigarette lighter or USB) you probably can’t charge it.
Don’t bring a cigarette lighter inverter; it won’t work.
With boats this full I suggest extra batteries for “essential” devices. Or just unplugging altogether (;
That’s it! If you’re planning a bareboat charter hopefully you can put some of this information to use helping your crew.
Leave a Reply