A Reliable Checklist To Read Before Hiring A Boat Charter*

Embarking on a new adventure is always exciting. However, as tricky as it is to plan a road trip, or foreign expedition, traveling by sea can get even more complex if you’re a newbie. However, there is no need to worry when you have experts like us on your side to give you all the relevant advice to hire a boat charter for your upcoming trip. Today we will cover all your bases by answering six highly important questions that will help you gather your friends and make a successful trip, minus the hiccups and pitfalls.

Let’s get right into it!

What are the important factors to keep in mind while planning a boat charter?

Just like planning every other trip, hiring a charter boat is a big decision which involves several factors. To begin with, you can start collecting your team that plans to travel with you. It is important that you have a group that has similar interests, especially when it comes to the style and schedule of tourism. What most tour operators and charter service companies often notice is that there is a lack of communication initially among group tour members, which can quickly turn into an annoying situation, when all the friends or family aren’t aligned when it comes to the entire trip. Some may be early birds who prefer to start at the break of dawn, while others may love to take their time and are active tourists later in the evening. Such little preferences may seem like a small deal initially, but can be a huge roadblock to your entire trip, dampening your experience. Traveling by sea intensifies this because some may feel anxiety or seasick, while others may enjoy the experience. It is important to take all of these aspects into perspective and decide upon the duration of the cruise, the timings, the route and activities to do.

Once you have your group in place, deciding what kind of yacht or boat would suit you comes next, which also has to be a group decision since it involves finances and comfort.

How to pick the correct charter?

Picking a boat or yacht charter for your sea excursion is a crucial decision which needs you to think about the finances and your preferences realistically. Most people expect to have an uber luxurious experience sailing, but don’t pay attention to the price tag that comes with such charters. As you’re traveling in a group, deciding the route, location, boat or yacht and the amenities it provides are the top things to check off your list  before building the excitement for your trip.

For those who have a boating license and experience in sailing, you can consider hiring a yacht along with a skipper or an attendant if you need a wingman to help you navigate the waves. It does make a pretty exciting venture when you do things independently. However, if you’re in a foreign country, your permit may not be valid, or the yacht rent may cost you a bomb that you’re better off spending elsewhere. To completely enjoy the trip with no worry about the navigation, weather conditions or any potential risks, we would advise tourists to take up the services of companies such as HK boat charters who have fully manned and crewed boats at your disposal to take up private tours as well. This will leave you stress-free while you can focus on enjoying the trip.

Will you be needing insurance?

Getting insurance and a skipper’s liability insurance is very important apart from paying the deposit in the event of the group not reaching  the destination or if the plan gets cancelled due to rough weather. The weather can be unpredictable at times and booking a boat charter in advance can backfire if you have paid a hefty sum. Being insured against such liability will help you retrieve your deposit with minimal cancellation fees, so you should look into it. Also, if you’re embarking on a sail by manning the boat yourself, iit would be a great idea to get damages insurance, which you can look up in the types of charter insurances.

Do you need a license or boating experience?

Usually it is sufficient for one person from the group to have a skipper’s licence or having a certain amount of experience in boating hours, but you need to be realistic about your ability to take on the task of bringing the group back safely to have a great vacation. Majority of the destinations are satisfied with one person’s ability and licence to man the charter, but Greece requires a second person in the group to have the ability to be a co-skipper.

On the other hand, hiring a fully crewed boat for your tour will take care of the license aspect since all the local charter companies and their skippers are officially approved.

What do you need to know about the charter seasons and weather conditions?

Every region has their own charter and boating seasons where cruising is permissible. Research the best time to visit these locations so that you avoid any rough waters. However, the weather at sea can be unpredictable, so bring appropriate clothing to adapt to sudden bursts of chill, rain or heat. Carry a waterproof jacket with you to protect you from getting splashed on a lot. There are tropical regions which have cyclone and hurricane seasons, so keep a watch out to not plan your trip close to these periods.

What are the documents required?

Make sure that you carry your permits, ID proof, insurance details and visas where necessary. If you’re entering a foriegn country using the sea route, ensure that you also get their necessary permits and visas to avoid legal complications. Other than these, ask the rental company if there are any specific documentation requirements or COVID-19 guidelines before embarking on your trip to spend it stress-free, basking in the ocean.