Bareboat.com

Typical mooring field for a bareboat yacht charter vacation

So here you are, planning your first time Caribbean bareboat charter. Of course,
you are excited – you’ve read the glossy brochures, submitted your bareboat
charter paperwork to your yacht charter broker, and you and your friends
and anxious to take to the sea!
 
As you begin to pack your bags and review your personal travel check list, remember
preparation is biggest “secret” to a successful voyage and a great Caribbean yacht charter
vacation for everyone.
 
Let’s review some helpful tips that can “make or break” your first time
Caribbean yacht charter – docking, anchoring, and tying up in a mooring field.
 
Remember to BE AWARE OF WINDAGE, especially on catamarans and bigger-model monohulls. This is also
important and applies to any slow maneuvers in confined or crowded areas like harbors, mooring fields or channels.  Check prevailing wind conditions BEFORE you enter a confined area, and appoint a crew member to serve as your second set of eyes, to make sure you do not hit anything.
 
When anchoring and docking, the captain and crew should USE HAND SIGNALS. Get together
before the trip and come up with several agreed-upon hand signals. You don’t want to be attempting a maneuver
in a channel or confined area and find your self guessing as to the meaning of a particular arm wave or gestures by your crew!
 
Grabbing a mooring ball takes good communication (again – hand signals). An extra crew, if you have one,
should assist the bow person, who has the toughest job. Preparation, planning and practice definitely contribute to success.
 
You should always scope out a dock, mooring field or anchorage prior to picking your target destination. This
gives you a chance to compare your notes from the chart briefing, as well as your destination cruising guide.
It is important to NOTE ALL PREVAILING CONDITIONS – the wind speed, direction, water depth,
current or swell, any land protection, boat traffic and any charted hazards in the area.
 
A final tip – listen to that little voice in your head. There are times something pops up in your head or you have a 6th sense to double check something, or make a certain decision. If you have practiced and planned ahead, your instincts should keep you on the right course. Bon voyage!

Trust your intuition!