Owning a boat often feels like the pinnacle of wealth. The expense and upkeep are steep and one most can’t afford. Many people choose to charter a boat and want the experience without incurring everyday costs. My husband and I never in our life thought we’d own a boat better yet charter a yacht. Our wedding anniversary was approaching and decided to charter a yacht to celebrate. It was an adventure we’ll never forget and found could be cost-effective in certain circumstances. In this article, I’ll share 3 important details to keep in mind to have a safe and cost-effective charter experience.
- Pick a date during the off-season -There are two times of the year when it is the charter season. The first is the summer (May-October) and winter (November until April). Although we chartered our yacht in September, Florida has a heavy hurricane season during September leaving many people unwilling to travel or charter during that timeframe. Although still expensive, it’s easier to find a great deal at a destination when the charter season is low.
- Deciding between Bareboat and Crew- This is a personal choice and based on what is in your budget. Are you looking to spend the night or only need the vessel for a few hours? Bareboat charters are when you are responsible for the vessel and no crew members are included in the contract. A bareboat was appropriate for us as we were only chartering for a few hours. Many times an experience with a crew is for individuals spending a day or several days on the yacht. In our instance, we were provided a Captain but no other crew members.
- Charter A Captain Who Is Cost Guard- Selecting a charter that comes with a Coast Guard is the most important tip I can provide. In the event, there is an accident your captain can assess the situation to ensure everyone’s safety. If there is an emergency while at sea, having a Coast Guard on board ensures all passengers’ safety to the best of their ability.
We enjoyed our first charter experience and will be doing another soon. If you’re interested in shopping for what I wore see my links below.
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Outfit
- My dress is from Showpo and can be found here.
- My earrings are no longer available but I found very similar earrings that can be found here.
- My sandals are Tory Burch.
