Chartering a yacht is one way to see parts of the world that may not always be accessible from land, as well as offering a holiday that everyone on board will remember for a long time to come. Yacht rental also allows plenty of freedom around time and schedule, as well as a choice of mooring.
Everyone sailing on a yacht soon becomes proficient at carrying out essential jobs and working together, whether as a family or as a team. Perhaps the main worry that a number of travellers have about a yacht is that it may be too small. As yachts and other sailing vessels are designed to maximise available space, this ensures plenty of living space for those on board.
Types of Yacht Charters Available.
There are a selection of charters available, depending on the experience of the ‘crew’ that will be on board. Crewed charters come with a full crew (and will vary in number, depending on the yacht size) and depending on the charter service on offer, may cook and clean on board. These are probably the best option for those who have no sailing experience.
Bareboating requires at least one experienced sailor (with a yacht licence if necessary) on board, who is also able to organise and manage the crew (who may be inexperienced at sailing). All those on board a bareboat charter take full responsibility for sailing as well as cooking and cleaning. As a rule, most yachts available for bareboat charter are less than 40 feet.
There is also the option to charter bareboat with a skipper, which for those sailors with families on board, allows them to concentrate on the family rather than just on the sailing. A number of charters operate through a broker or specialist company and these will guide potential sailors through the process of arranging a yacht rental, as well as helping to identify the best locations to visit.
Popular Yacht Charter Destinations.
The Mediterranean is always a popular destination, with destinations such as the French Riviera, Monaco and the Greek Islands. Around the Caribbean, the many islands make interesting sailing, with Puerto Rico, Grenada, Martinique and Antigua being some of the favourite charter destinations.
New England, New York, San Francisco and Santa Barbara are just some of the choices available on either side of the United States. Florida is an important destination in the US, offering many miles of marinas as well as more than 800 islands that make up the Florida Keys. Miami (Florida) is only around 45 miles away from The Bahamas, with its many tropical islands available to explore in often shallow and relaxed waters.
With almost any destination in the world to choose from, for those who are experienced sailors as well as those who have never stepped foot on a boat, a luxury yacht is a unique way of travelling.