Living on board

• The boat offers a reduced living space 24/24 h.
• But the boat is also an opportunity to relax, get to know each other and to enjoy.
• We must be flexible and have a positive attitude.
• It is important to share equally the work and watches, every one should participate. It is better to create a roster in writing, with names and schedules that everyone can see.

Luggage

• Leave the fancy clothe at home! We normally use only half of what we pack. Space is vital on board
• Do not take hard luggage. Use flexible luggage that can be folded and stored.
• Cap or hat.
• Sun glasses.
• Sunscreen (the highest the better).
• Cotton T-shirts, one a day and some polo shirts (long & short sleeved).
• A sweater.
• A waterproof, windproof jacket.
• Bathing suits.
• Comfortable cotton trousers, shorts.
  Comfortable footwear with gum soles which don't leave marks.
• Sleeping mask, ear plugs (except the skipper)..
• Mosquito & insect repellent.
• Sea sickness tablets (good for everyone on the first day).

Food & Provisioning

• Even though the kitchens are totally equipped with everything we need, the space is reduced and moving. Digestions must be easy, avoid heavy foods, dishes must be light but provide lots of energy.
• On the boat we normally have breakfast, snacks and have some dinners but we also will want to enjoy the local foods and restaurants nearby. We must calculate for these meals. Normally it is easy to find big supermarkets near the base which are cheaper than supermarkets in small harbours we will visit, so it is a good idea to do the provisioning at the beginning of the charter. Don't buy in excess. Remember that on a boat we usually eat less than at home.
• Calculate 2 litres of water (or soft drinks) by person/day. Think that this is heavy and that when we visit other marina we will have no means of transport. Prefer 1 litre bottles that are easy to carry around and drink from without using a glass each time.
• Pasta, rice, ready to eat roasted chicken and meats, cold cuts, cheese, mashed potatoes, long lasting fruits & vegs, snacks.
• Look for resealable packages, such as tomato sauce, oil, dish washing liquid..
• The fridge and conservation of the food deserve their own chapter: normally the fridge is quite small and there is no big freezer. We must forget about buying frozen foods. The fridge works from the boat's generator and uses quite a lot of the batteries, so it must be used with care. Bringing along a cooler is a good idea. Use it for the cold drinks. The ice can last for 2 to 3 days if what we put in it is cold. A good idea is to store the drinks in the fridge's freezer and as they freeze put them in the cooler.
• Most of the charter companies offer on board provisioning, or we could order it on the internet before our trip.
  

Is there a set charter period?

• Normally the charter period is 1 week, boarding on saturday afternoon, returning to the base on the following friday evening with the possibility to sleep on board until saturday morning.
• It is also possible to charter for more than 1 week, what is difficult is chartering loose days, especially during high season.

What are the additional expenses to consider when chartering a boat?

• The provisioning, moorings out of the base, fuel and professional crew are not included in the charter fee.
• The moorings are not usually expensive, only if we do not go to "glamorous" harbours. Anchoring is free.
• The cost of fuel for sailing boat is quite low, the engine is used sparingly and has low consumption (2-3 litres/hour). Motor yachts are different and we advise you to ask beforehand how much fuel is consumed.
• Professional crew is not needed if you have the appropriate license. Should you need crew the skipper is approximately 1.000 euros/week, and the stewardess/cook 800-900 euros/week. The professional crew does not pay for food or drinks on board, you must provide for them.
• Some charter companies charge extra for bed linen, towels or outboard engine for the dinghy
• The security deposit is obligatory, and the amount varies from boat to boat. It is refundable at the end of the charter period, if the boat was used responsibly. The boats have full insurance coverage but with high exemption rates (usually for the amount of the security deposit).

What is the skipper's duty?

• If we hire a professional skipper, because we lack the proper license or simply because we want to sit back and relax, we must understand that he/she is in charge of the safety of the boat and crew. He/she is required to maintain the outside of the boat clean (we can offer a hand), to repair little things that may malfunction, safety and watches during anchoring. Should we do a passage that involves sailing at night, we can help him with some of the watches.
• The skipper's duties do not include provisioning, cooking, washing up, doing the beds or serving drinks & snack, he/she can help around like any other member of the crew. As with everything else in life good manners and mutual respect will help to create a healthy and enjoyable living environment.
  

Is it necessary to have experience to charter a boat?

• Legally not only is it necessary to hold the proper sailing licenses, but also the charter companies may not let the skipper sail the boat if they think he/she does not possess enough experience. We must realize that we will be responsible for a boat which is worth a lot of money and more importantly of all people on board. It is not a game, but a precious responsibility that requires wisdom and a great deal of care. If we do not feel at ease with our sailing experience it is better to use the services of a professional skipper or to bring along a friend with sailing experience. As the old man said..