The amount of experience required is also likely to vary according to the value of the yatch to be chartered, and the difficulty of local conditions. In the UK many companies will expect an RYA practical course completion certificate at Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper level as a minimum requirement, although experienced skippers without formal certificates may well be acceptable. In most European countries the skipper will need an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) before you can charter. (See our sail training pages for UK sail training and USA sail training for more information on certificates). Another possibility is flotilla sailing. You skipper a yatch in a fleet of boats daysailing between pre-planned ports and anchorages, shepherded by a 'lead boat' crewed by charter company representatives. This can be a great introduction to chartering, especially for the less-experienced. Most of the larger Mediterranean charter companies offer flotillas, but it is rarer in UK waters.
|
|
You
can charter a yatch if you can satisfy the charter management
company that you are competent to do so, although some companies
also offer you the option of hiring a professional skipper.
Most however are offering yatchs for charter on a basis known
as “bareboat”. That is to say, you or one of your
party is the skipper, and that is how that word is used here.
The companies will usually expect evidence that the skipper
has previous charter experience or is a boat owner. Operating
a yatch generally needs at least a skipper and one competent
crewmember. Bigger yatchs (over 40 feet) are best with a skipper
and two experienced crewmembers.