Sail Boat Charters

Thanks to Lee Stephens for this article. 

This article is beneficial to people who enjoy private yacht charter vacations or who operate their own private yacht or enjoy sail boat charters.

Boating safety education requirements have changed in Florida effective January 1, 2010.

Boat operators who were born on or after January 1, 1988 must pass an approved boating safety course and possess photographic identification and a boating safety education identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to legally operate a boat with a motor of 10 horsepower or more.

"We want to encourage everyone, regardless of when they were born, to take an approved boating safety education course, because all of us can learn something new, even if we have been boating all our lives," said Captain Carol Keyser of FWC's boating and waterways section. "For some, it is now required to take the course."

There are a few exceptions. For instance, a person born on or after January 1, 1988, who operates a boat within 90 days after purchasing it, does not need a boating safety education identification card if a bill of sale, which meets the requirements of Florida law, is onboard. After the 90-day period ends, the boat operator needs to meet the educational requirements. Those who possess a current United States Coast Guard license are also exempt.



For course information and educational requirements, visit http://www.myFWC.com and click "boating," then click "boating safety."

For inquiries, contact FWC's Division of Law Enforcement at 1-850-488-5600, or send email questions to the FWC at bobber-card@myfwc.com

While crewed sail boat charters and bareboat charter vacations normally last 5 to 7 nights, not everyone has the time for a multi-night term luxury yacht charter. In this economy, saving up for a special bareboat charter or luxury yacht charter holiday might mean postponing until 2010.
 
Now for the good news - sail boat charters can be as short as one day and are the perfect compliment to a land-based Caribbean island vacation.
 
Let's take a look at a single-day luxury yacht charter escape in the British Virgin Islands (also known as, the BVI):
 
There are four major inhabited islands in the BVI, as well as dozens of (nearly 60) smaller islands, cays, and rocks scattered throughout the archipelago. Of course, the fun way to see these sights is by boat on a luxury sailing charter.
 
You can rent a small Caribbean yacht charter sailboat or a fast powerboat for the day in Road Town, Nanny Cay, West End, or several other locations. Some experience driving a powerboat or basic chart-reading skills are important to ensure you have a pleasurable day.
 
A great trip could start from Road Town, Tortola and head south across the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Peter Island. You can tie up to the dock in Sprat Bay or anchor off the beach in Deadman's Bay and swim ashore (remember to wear your water socks). Visitors are welcome in the public areas, the boutique, and the beach grill. 
 


From Peter Island, it's a short boat ride to Norman Island. This is author Robert Louis Stevenson's legendary Treasure Island, and the source of countless tales of pirates and buried chests of gold. Today, the island is uninhabited except for a small restaurant on the beach in the Bight. Anchored in the bay is the old ship, William Thornton, affectionately known by bareboat charter lovers and the locals as the "Willy T," a trading vessel converted to a bar and restaurant. It's a great stop for a little "pirate" ambiance. Be warned - on holiday weekends, the Willy T is not appropriate for kids as it takes on a bawdy "adults only" atmosphere.
 
Just outside the bay are the Caves. These are more like grottoes and are a true snorkeler's delight. You can tie up your boat to one of the National Park moorings and swim in. Don't be surprised if a school of tropical fish swim alongside you, looking for a handout. The locals ask that you resist the temptation to feed the little critters, however. Human food is not healthy for the fish and may do them great harm in the long run.
 
After snorkeling at the Caves, it is a short boat ride to The Indians. These rock outcroppings are the size of houses and full of nesting seabirds in the summer. The waters around the rocks are teeming with fish of every shape and color. One local describes a swim here as a magical experience: "Floating among the fish, corals and sea fans will make you feel like Peter Pan flying through an enchanted forest."
 
If the sun is still high in the sky, and you still feel fresh for more adventure, zip over to Salt Island. You can tie up to the dock and walk around the abandoned houses to the salt pond where workers harvest and sell sea salt. If you still have any get-up-and-go in your tank, hop back on your boat and cruise around the corner to the wreck of the HMS Rhone, the BVI's first underwater park. Snorkel over the wreck and try to imagine what it looked like before it sank in 1867!
 
By now, you realize you are on "island time." There's little reason to hurry back to Tortola, unless you have an early dinner reservation at your hotel or resort. Assuming you are in the island groove, we suggest a cruise east to Cooper Island. Accessible only by boat, this island has a few rental homes and a tiny resort that's looks like a vacation postcard from the water - palm trees and long, white sand beach. By now, you must be hungry from a morning/afternoon of exploring. Drop in a local restaurant for a late lunch. With a full belly and a big smile, it's just a short sail or cruise back to Tortola.
 
There are many other itineraries for a day trip by boat. Your hotel concierge can recommend the best local boat rental operators and give you some ideas as to where to go and what to see there. You can go fast on a powerboat or slower on a sailboat - the choice is yours. Either way, a day boat trip around the British Virgin Islands will be the highlight of your land-based island holiday! 
 
For more information, call the yacht charter specialists at 1-800-YACHTCHARTER, email them at info@1800yachtcharter.com, or visit the website at 1800yachtcharter.com

The yachting industry has long held to the belief that a successful luxury yacht charter vessel can expect 12 weeks of charter business a year.  This expectation included both Caribbean yacht charter and Mediterranean yacht charter business.

Excluding the small sail boat charters that dominate the Caribbean market, in the world of megayacht and superyacht vessels, there are about 830 yachts 80 feet and larger available for a luxury yacht charter worldwide.  What might be surprising to many is this fact: some 600 of these vessels do no more than 3 or 4 weeks of chartering each year.

Thus the upcoming Mediterranean yacht charter summer season has a lot riding on it for boat owners and captains who have -- perhaps ill-fatedly from the start -- factored 12 weeks of megayacht charter business into their calculations.

So what does a 52 week year in the life of a superyacht look like?  A recent industry survey breaks it down like this: 
*Owner's personal use - 6 weeks.
*Yard time (for repair and maintenance) and crossing time to reposition (Caribbean to the Mediterranean, etc.) - 26 weeks.
*Undesirable charter dates - 14 weeks
*Actual Possible Charter Time:  14 weeks.

With these facts in mind, charter fleet managers now believe a realistic goal for a luxury mega yacht charter vessel is no more than 8 weeks per year...

Enthusiasts of Bahama yacht charters are quick to tell you, "It's Better in the Bahamas." The waters are warmed by the summer sun, and the blinding white sand beaches seem to stretch from here to the horizon.
 
Of course, a great summer special rate on a Bahama yacht charter makes it even better, and motor yacht Golden Times is ready to oblige.  Based in Nassau this summer, luxury motoryacht Golden Times is offering a deep discount on a mega yacht charter vacation in June or July.
 
A 10 night holiday is now priced at $33,500 for a family of 6 to 7, or a group of friends. (This is a savings of $8,600 on mega yacht Golden Times' standard summer rate.)
 
This 94’ Hargrave motoryacht was built in 2001 and is maintained to the highest standards of safety, comfort, and appearance.
 
Her main salon is well-equipped for audio visual entertainment. With a comfortable arrangement of sofas both to port and starboard, plenty of guests can gather for movies in front of the large flat screen TV.  The formal dining salon is separated from the salon ever-so-slightly by granite-topped cabinetry of light cherry wood and maple inlay.
 
Accommodations are provided in 3 guest cabins. The Master Stateroom is below amidships and has a King bed and en suite head with adjoining central shower for his and her use. Plenty of closet and drawer space is reserved for charter guests. There is a large flat screen TV with satellite and DVD player.
 
The VIP Stateroom is situated below amidships to port side with a Queen bed and en suite head with shower. There is a 13” TV with DVD player.
 
The Twin Stateroom is below amidships to starboard side with two twin beds and one Pullman plus en suite head with shower. It is also equipped with a 13” TV with DVD player. 
 
Of course, Bahama yacht charters are all about the views, the sun, and the sea. On the skylounge deck, a couple may have a cocktail at the bar while enjoying the panoramic view or choose to entertain in a more cozy setting with an additional TV here as well. Leading out to the sundeck, there are teak chaise lounges for reading and relaxing, or there are comfortable sunpads for soaking up the Bahamian sun's rays. The Jacuzzi may be inviting during the day or for a romantic evening under the stars.
 
Almost forgot to mention the watertoys! What would a yacht charter holiday be without some fun in the surf?  Her extensive toy list includes a 27’ Boston Whaler sport tender with twin 225hp Mercury engines (perfect for some quick exploration of the nearby coves and inlets), a second tender - a 16’ Novurania with 90hp power (good for wakeboarding, etc.), snorkel gear, a Laser sailboat, and extensive fishing gear.
 
Captain Jay and Chief Stewardess Breanna return in June as newlyweds. They are joined
by award-winning chef, Jeff Ciucevich.
 
Come enjoy a fabulous mega yacht charter experience with a fun, professional crew in the uncrowded and unspoiled islands of the Bahamas.
 
For availability and other pricing options, contact Jim Araiza at 1-800-YACHTCHARTER or email jaraiza@1800sailaway.com