What are the qualifications necessary to bareboat charter? 

Keel boat experience is necessary to charter a bareboat. We ask you to complete our Application to Charter [download now]. This forms asks for information about your sailing and boating experience and also your travel plans. The manager will review the information you supply on this document, and will determine whether you have the experience to charter. Our goal is to be sure you and all aboard have a FUN and SAFE time.

Some of the elements in your experience that are important to us in determining your competency to handle the boat you would like to charter are:

• Your recent boating experience (last 5 years).
  
• The size and types of boats you have sailed on in the past. Were they of similar size, give or take a few feet, to the size of the boat you wish to charter.
  
• Do you own or have you owned a boat in the recent past. This is important because most people who have owned boats have an understanding about systems and the inner workings of a boat, which is essential to happy cruising.
  
• Have you done some cruising. Have you planned a trip from A to B requiring navigation skills, decision making, anchoring, mooring or docking under sail and power?
  
• Have you sailed on the ocean or other large bodies of water such as Long Island Sound, Chesapeake Bay, San Francisco Bay, Great Lakes and so forth.
  
• Are you experienced in the operation of twin screw vessels. This is an important requirement to charter a trawler or a trawler catamaran and a slightly lesser important requirement for a sail catamaran. A boat with stern drives (inboard outboards) is not considered a twin screw vessel.. If you do not have any twin screw experience plan on spending at least a  half day getting up to speed in this area before we let you leave the harbor.
  
• Who are the crew that will be aboard with you. Are they knowledgeable people that will be actively participating in sailing the vessel. Can you count on them to help you or will they be inactive guests? If you are on a large cat or a power yacht you will need at least one (maybe two) good crew members to assist you.
  
• Have you had any professional or formal training?  Have you cruised in the area before?
  
• The answers to these questions will help us assess your skills and ability to take command of the charter boat.
  
• If your skills are a bit weak, we may suggest a SKIPPER be aboard for a few days, or if you are not approved to charter, skippers are available for your entire cruise.
  

• A Bareboat Certificate is not necessary to charter a bareboat. A Bareboat Certification course is valuable training, however, this document alone may not qualify you to charter. Your overall practical experience is what counts!

How do I make a reservation?

     Call our office, toll free 800-944-2962, or email us at info@cyoacharters.com, and check to see if the boat you are interested in is available for the dates you wish to sail. Check to see if flights are available to suit your charter dates. We will put a hold on the boat of your choice for 48 hours while you sort out travel arrangements.

     A 50% deposit and a completed Application to Charter [download now] are necessary to confirm your reservation. Deposits may be made with a credit card [download form now] or by check via overnight mail - credit cards must have a US mailing address. Once your application has been reviewed and approved and your deposit is received, we will mail a Contract Package to you. This package will include charter paperwork, provisioning forms  [available for downloading] and general information about chartering in the area. Your final payment is due 45 days before your charter starts by personal check or money order. We do not accept credit cards for the final payment.

Special deals require payment in full by credit card at the time of booking and are not refundable but you may change dates, subject to availability, for a $100 change fee up until the contract is issued. Any change after that is considered a cancellation.

Credit cards must have a US mailing address.

Cancellations  

     If your plans change, and it is necessary to cancel your charter, you must notify us in writing. If you cancel 91 days or more prior to your charter, you will receive a refund less a cancellation fee of $300 PLUS 10% of any amount that we have charged to a credit card. If you cancel 90 days or closer to your charter, a refund is not issued. Refunds are made in the same manner as the payment was recieved.

A change of dates or boat, once the contract has been issued is considered a cancellation.

 Trip Insurance may be purchased to protect your trip from unexpected emergencies. Contact ACCESS AMERICA, 800-284-8300.

Understanding Insurance

     Charter guests often have many questions about what is and what is not included by the insurance coverage of the charter boat. We have prepared a page that should answer all of your questions.  [click here]. 

Communicating with home

     Unfortunately the well known marine operator, VI Radio, has been driven out of business by the now ubiquitous cell phone.

Arrival and charter checkout

     All charterers are given a thorough orientation aboard the boat you are chartering. This review takes between 1 1/2 to 2 hours. All systems, both above and below deck are discussed in detail - afterwards you will be asked to sail the boat in the harbor for us. This gives both you and us a chance to get comfortable with each other. You'll have a chance to hoist all sails and get comfortable with all the lines as well as have an opportunity to operate the boat under power.. Taking the time to understand your boat is an important part of cruising, and will help make for a fun, and safe charter. Our staff will also review your sail plan and offer guidance or suggestions.

Planning your itinerary

   Onboard you will find a chart, suitable for use in conjunction with the Cruising Guide. You may wish to order a Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands  [available for downloading] or a chart of the area  [available for downloading] to do some pre-planning. It is fun to have a chart to plot your course and save for future reference. Contact BLUEWATER CHARTS & BOOKS (click link or call 1-800-942-2583). They have a great inventory of Virgin Islands charts and books.

Paperwork

     Paperwork is an important part of your charter. We ask that charterers return necessary paperwork to us on time and that you take the time to read what we send you. Your help in this area is appreciated and will make for easy vacation planning, and smooth sailing.

Identification

     You and your crew must carry proof of citizenship. You will be cruising the US and British Virgins. You will be stopping at Customs and Immigration in both countries. Be prepared. A Passport is required. A combination of certified birth certificate along with a photo ID issued by a governmental agency is the only acceptable alternative. A DRIVERS LICENSE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Be sure to call us or email us with any other questions.