Tag: sailing

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Boat & PWC Rental

When Is The Best Time To Charter A Sailboat?

Any time is great to hire a boat for cruising, snorkeling, fishing, whale watching, diving, etc.

Charter A Sailing Boat

But it is likely to be best if you are able to choose a time that is in-season and offers the right weather for the activity you are planning.

Boat Season

A typical boat season is likely to run from April to October each year in many countries, such as those bordering the Mediterranean and in the United States and likely to experience a significant amount of bright sunlight throughout this period. A sailing vacation is likely to be more enjoyable if you are able to avoid the busiest time of the year when many of the locals are taking their holidays, so you might want to avoid July and August.

Best time to charter

In reality, a sailing adventure is likely to be best enjoyed at the start of the season (mid-May to mid-July) or at the end of the season (early-September to mid-October) when the crowds are much more manageable and sea water is still warm. A further benefit is that the prices quoted by the rental companies are certain to be that much more affordable if you are to stay outside of the busiest parts of the season.

Plan early

If you are looking for more flexibility in the available dates for the sailing holiday and selection of yachts, you might want to look at making the arrangements early and booking the holiday well ahead of time. For a high season charter (July & August), an early booking is likely to be highly desirable. Although, if you are looking to charter a yacht throughout the mid to low-season, more flexibility is likely to be available and even possible to book the last minute charters.

Obviously there is a far-sight more sunlight throughout the main boating season, but if you would like a bit more tranquility and peace, a winter cruise might be highly desirable.

Charting in the Bahamas

Before planning to charter a yacht it benefits so look at the likely temperatures and conditions related to the preferred destination. A charter in the Bahamas for instance is most favored throughout the summer months with the temperature kept at a constant 80-90 degrees with cooling wind and sunny skies. Plus, it is possible to experience these pristine waters throughout the winter (December to February) with temperature falling to about 60-65 degrees. While this is a lot cooler it is still more pleasant than certain areas of the United States.

Certain times

Certain times of the year are significantly more popular than others for charting a yacht in the Caribbean or similar popular destinations. Christmas and New Year will need advanced booking to ensure a yacht is available for the preferred dates. Plus, in regions of the Mediterranean the availability of ports or marinas can be limited, so planning ahead is needed to make sure a preferred dockage is reserved for the time of the voyage.

Categories
Go Boating

How to Prepare For a Sailing Trip the Right Way

Preparing for a sailing trip is likely to be a difficult process, especially if this is the first time you have experienced this type of adventure.

Sailing Destination

Making contact with the hire company is likely to provide a reliable checklist of the items that will be required, but in general travel items should include:

If packing for a sail charter, please remember that space is likely to be very restricted. You want to avoid the hard sided bags and suitcases since these aren’t practical choices on board a yacht. Rather a large-size duffel bag or backpack is ideal. A reason for using the duffel bags is that they are much easier to transport and can be folded and stored out of sight once the clothing and related supplies are packed away.

Visas, passports, boarding passes and similar such travel documents are vital to remember when it comes to preparing for the sailing holiday. If any of these documents are forgotten or mislaid, a sailing trip is certain to be compromised. And for any crucial items, like the travel documents, you might want to store them in a watertight and safe bag for extra protection.

Checklist: What to take on a sailing trip:

  • Flight Tickets
  • Insurance documents
  • Passports
  • Certification / qualifications (original copies)
  • Money (local currency) and debit cards/credit cards
  • Cell phone and charger (keep in contact and get regular updates on weather forecasts or similar important news)
  • Swimwear
  • Beach towels
  • Shoes for use on board (deck shoes and/or soft soled shoes)
  • Clothing (light fleece, jumper, waterproof jacket, sunglasses, hat, casual tops, T-shirts, casual trousers, shorts, etc.)
  • Toiletries
  • Sun cream
  • Cream, spray, or gel-based insect repellent
  • Prescription medication and anti-histamine tablets or ointment
  • Camcorder or camera
  • CD’s or MP3 player or similar electrical equipment
  • Magazines or books to read
  • Basic snorkeling gear (flippers, mask, etc)

Space on a hire yacht is certain to be restricted, so make certain to pack the appropriate clothing to match the itinerary of the trip. If you are aware of the expected weather and any details of shore-based stop off points, it will be possible to plan ahead and only pack what is most likely to be required.

For the passenger that requires certain non-prescription and prescription medications, make certain to include a sufficient amount to last the entire duration of the sailing adventure. Sourcing medication is likely to be extremely difficult at foreign ports if forgotten or mislaid.

If sailing in one of the more tropical destinations with intense sunlight throughout the day, a high-strength sun block is certain to be a highly beneficial addition, to ensure that you are able to relax on the deck of the sailing yacht.

Food

Most food tastes are easily catered to when exploring the open waters on a yacht charter and this food can be packed on the boat. But, for those with food allergies (wheat gluten, milk, peanuts, etc.) it can be more difficult to source the food needed to cover the length of the planned voyage. For this reason it is more practical to take along the safe substitutes that have been sourced from home.

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Go Boating

15 Sailing Terms for Beginners

Whether a complete novice or an experienced sailor, it is highly beneficial to have knowledge of the many sailing terms used in the day-to-day operation of a boat.

Sailing TermsBy having a fundamental grasp of the vocabulary used in sailing it will be that much easier to learn the different components of a boat and the relevant maneuvers. A sailor who is able to relay the right sailing terminology is certain to be that much more confident when it concerns conveying the right information and safely guiding a vessel.

Here are 15 useful sailing terms for the beginners:

  • Aft: aft relates to the rearmost region of a sailing boat.
  • Ballast: ballast is vital in sailboats to help weigh down or steady the boat to compensate for the lateral force of the sails. A sailboat with insufficient ballast is likely to heel or tip significantly in high winds.
  • Bilge: the bilge relates to the lowest and rounded region of the sailing boat, so forms the area between the sides and bottom of the hull.
  • Boom: the boom is designed to attach to the mast in a certain position to help with holding the foot or bottom of the mainsail.
  • Capsize: a boat that overturns is referred to as capsized.
  • Centerboard: a sector of the boat that is mounted to the bottom section of the vessel and helps with balancing and preventing the boat from drifting.
  • Helm: the helm relates to the equipment for steering the sailing boat, or an able skipper who is able to control such apparatus.
  • Keel: the keel is a structure of the hull which sticks down into the sea from the bottom region of a sailing boat, and helps with balance and avoids rolling.
  • Leeway: leeway relates to the drift or movement that is experienced by a sailing boat due to the wind or current.
  • Luffing: this is a term that relates to a sail that isn’t yet set and isn’t in a taught position and continues to move in the wind
  • Mast: the mast is there it help with supporting the mainsail. It is kept in a vertical position to the boat hull.
  • Rudder: the rudder is a suitably sized piece of plastic, metal, or wood which is mounted to a sailing boat to help with steering or turning the vessel. It helps with changing direction by altering the direction in which water or air pushes past a boat.
  • Seaworthy: relates to the condition of a vessel and ensures it is in a safe state to operate.
  • Starboard: relates to the right-side of a sailing boat (the opposite side of the boat is known as port).
  • Wake: a boats wake relates to the water mark that follows behind a faster moving vessel like a speed or a motorboat.

Categories
Insure My Boat

Does the Mooring Have an Impact on the Insurance Rate?

Location and type of mooring can have a significant impact on the risks a motor-driven or sailing yacht faces.

Boat Mooring Rope

Plus, the moorings can have an influence on the insurance rates quoted by underwriters. Most insurance policies provide coverage while the watercraft is afloat in use and laid-up on moorings, including launching and hauling.

Different moorings can make a noticeable difference in the price, terms, conditions, and limitations imposed by the insurance company.

Here are four of the common mooring options for vessels:

Marina berth

A safe and reliable mooring is in the marina berth, but this is the most in demand option up and down the country; therefore expect higher costs and longer waiting lists. Plus, having a boat moored in a marina berth 12 months of the year gives more freedom in use. Other types of moorings can limit the usable time in the water.

Also, other benefits might apply for the insurance policy, such as no loss of no claims bonus should an accident of loss take place while the vessel is moored up in the home marine berth.

Dry sailing

Dry sailing is a practical choice for many types of dinghies and similar small sized vessels. Storing the boat on dry land is certain to protect against the difficult conditions on the water, but there are greater risks of theft and/or vandalism. For this reason it is essential to put in place the proper security measures to ensure the craft is safe throughout this time. Certain types of crafts, such as 12-18-ft speed boats or similar will need to be locked in secure premises when not in use — but the specific requirements will be noted on the insurance schedule.

Swinging mooring

The exact location of this type of mooring is certain to have an impact on whether or not it is acceptable to leave the vessel in the water year-round. Certain regions will have restrictions in place to lift ashore or moor elsewhere for the most difficult months. A swinging mooring should be laid to a professional standard, properly maintained, and regularly inspected. Plus, the company involved in inspecting the mooring should have enough professional indemnity coverage in place. The use of a chain or rope strop will vary with the location and exposure of the mooring.

Laid up

A lay-up period is often stipulated in the policy schedule for those vessels moored in the more exposed waters. This is intended to protect the vessel from the worst of the winter condition. Alternatively, a vessel can be moved to a more secure mooring (afloat) throughout the winter, such as a protected marina or boatyard.

Mooring Covers

Give a vessel laid-up on moorings extra protection by using purpose-made mooring covers. A high-quality cover for the docked boat is certain to provide reliable protection against constant sun, rain, or wind exposure. A preferred type of material is cotton or cotton poly blend which has the ability to keep moisture out because of its breathable properties. Plus, storage and trailable covers are also available to match the specific needs.