Bareboat sailing iphone apps

At our sister company, SailAway Yacht Charters, we recently read about a superyacht app launched by Heesen Yachts that allows users to browse an extensive gallery of Heesen’s latest launches, and their crewed yacht charter vessels in the SailAway fleet.

That made us pause and think about apps more suitable to bareboat yacht charter enthusiasts.

We are pleased to report, whether you are planning a Virgin Islands yacht charter or a bareboat excursion closer to home in the good ol’ US of A, there are now many more reasons to take your Android or iPhone with you. An increasingly wide range of special apps for sail bareboat enthusiasts can prove very useful indeed. We have selected some of the best for your consideration.

Depending upon the type of smartphone you have, you’ll find these apps in either the Apple iPhone “App Store” or the Android “Market”.

WindGuru smartphone app

WindGuru – Provides wind predictions for ports of call around the world.  Available:  App Store, Market

Marine day tides – Shows where and when the tides are coming in. Available: App  Store

ANWB watersport charts maps -  Charts all information from the ANWB Almanac about two waterways, marinas, and operating times of locks and bridges. Available: App Store

ANWB Watersports Charts iPhone App

Navionics – Offers maps and so much more.  Available:  App Store, Market

Navionics app for bareboat sailors

Botenjaarboek . Search engine of yachts and boats internationally.  Available:  App Store

JustSpeed large GPS: A simple yet accurate speedometer displaying max speed and course.  Available:  App Store

JustSpeed iPhone app for bareboaters

Ship Finder – Realtime ship finder using AIS feeds transmitting ship name, position, and more. Available: App Store, Market

Boat Trader iPhone app -  Provides a GPS-enabled boat search and puts more than 100,000 new and used boats, yachts, sailboats, and personal watercraft at your fingertips.   Available: App Store

iPhone app for Boat Trader

iAIS  -  A simple AIS target plotter that uses a bareboat sailor’s iPad or iPhone for position.  Available: App Store

Knot Time – Provides video instructions on how to tie knots.  Available: App Store

Knot Time iPhone app for bareboaters

Thanks to technology, sail boat charters will never be the same.  Set a course to the App Store and the Android Market and have fun downloading nautical apps for your SailAway vacation!

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The crowds are gone, and a bareboat Bahamas yacht charter is a great way to close out the summer.  Download your apps, then contact our bareboat destination specialists at http://bareboat.com/contact_us.html to plan your bareboat yacht charter vacation.

Second Annual Catamarans Cup Regatta in Greece

The second annual Catamarans Cup Regatta takes place October 22 – 29 in Athens, Greece and there is still time to join the festivities.

Bareboat catamaran race, Catamarans Cup

While Greece yacht charters are extremely popular in early summer, more and more bareboat charter enthusiasts have discovered the advantage of sailing in October.  The waters are still warm and the throngs of tourists have headed home. Participating in this late season regatta is the perfect opportunity to experience the ultimate Greece bareboat charter – a holiday filled with sailing, racing, and socializing with boaters from around the world.

Even if you have no or limited sailing experience, you can still participate in the regatta, as many of the yachts have open spaces for novices, where experienced skippers will be at the helm. The cost to join an open space on one of the skippered bareboat catamarans is just € 550 per person based on double occupancy.

If you rent your own bareboat catamaran, the entrance fee per boat is Euro € 480.

Over 15 catamarans have entered the 2011 regatta. Available yachts include a Lagoon 620, Salina 48, Nautitech 47, Bahia 46, Lagoon 450, Lavezzi 40, and an Athena 38.

Family vacation bareboat catamaran charter

Billed as a family event, the program begins in Athens, with sailing legs to Poros, Spetses, Leonidio, Dokos, and Hydra. Along the way, participants will enjoy beach barbeques, cocktail receptions, a cooking competition, and a costume party for children and adults.

The overall regatta winner will receive a free 2012 catamaran charter in Greece, valued at € 5550.

The deadline for entries is October 17. For further details contact our destination specialists at 1-800-BAREBOAT or go online at http://www.bareboat.com/contact_us.html

Take Precautions to Make Your Caribbean Yacht Charter Safe and Fun

Every year, about a week or two before Memorial Day, the President of the United States issues a proclamation for “National Safe Boating Week.”   In part, the proclamation reads, “As Americans anticipate the warm weather of the summer months, we look to our Nation’s abundant outdoors and waterways for relaxation and recreation.  America’s lakes, rivers, and oceans are enjoyable, but can sometimes pose dangers to watergoers.  National Safe Boating Week (May 21 – 27, 2011) is an opportunity to highlight the importance of safety precautions and sensible behavior when spending time on the water.”

As bareboat charter enthusiasts head to the Bahamas, Caribbean, New England and points in between, it seems the perfect time to take a few extra moments planning for safety on the water.

Here are four tips to help you stay safe:

1. Wear a Life Vest. Ok, you’ve rented a Bahamas bareboat sailboat, and you think you’ll look like a goof wearing the bulky day-glow PFD (professional floatation device) provided by the charter company.   The solution, spend $100 or so on a vest that automatically inflates when needed. Take it home after the charter and use it on your personal boat.

2. Don’t Drink and Drive. We understand – the Virgin Islands yacht charter lifestyle is all about freedom.  With freedom comes responsibility. You have your family and friends onboard your sail bareboat and their safety is your responsibility.  Local police and marine patrol officers have beefed up enforcement to cut down on boating accidents.  Local judges are now throwing the book at DUI boaters involved in an accident, and that just mean serious jail time.

3. Keep a Constant Watch. This rule is a basic as they come – it is always important to stay on watch and keep a good lookout.  Many novice sailors do not know the rules of the road. By maintaining a look out, you’ll have an opportunity to spot potential danger and take evasive action to avoid trouble.

4. Steer Clear of Fast-moving Boats. The biggest concern we hear from luxury sailing charter customers in South Florida is that “the weekend warriors with the speedboats pay no attention to the smaller, slower vessels.” It’s sad, but true, and many accidents are the result of reckless boating involving high speeds.   Stay away from other boats going fast. It’s so easy for many boaters to get distracted while driving fast and not see you.   A simple solution is to always steer behind fast boats, no matter who has the right-of-way.

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Can you think of another safety tip to help us carve out a “Top Five” list of boat safety tips?  Submit your tip HERE as to what safety protocols you follow when you rent a private yacht for your island vacation.  We’ll share your tips with our readers and send you a small than you gift, as well.

Learn to scuba dive in the BVI among the incredible reefs

For an exciting twist to your next Virgin Islands bareboat yacht charter, take a little time and learn to scuba dive.

Charterers spending time in Tortola, BVI can now take rendezvous diving and scuba education programs during their sail bareboat vacations, thanks to a new partnership with Sail Caribbean Divers, a PADI dive center.

Says, Mike Rowe, a course director at Sail Caribbean Divers, “We realize families often refine their traditional travel plans for more meaningful and interactive vacations.“

Indeed, self-drive luxury sailing charter vacations combined with watersports such as snorkeling and diving can certainly fulfill such wishes.

A new diving reservation desk has been opened in Roadtown, Tortola, BVI at the Moorings bareboat fleet base.

Sail Caribbean Divers has three full-service dive centers, with four dive vessels at the three centers in the BVI – at Hodges Creek Marina, Cooper Island, and Norman Island.

Wreck of the Rhone, BVI - British Virgin Islands

The correct distribution of charter sail boats at the various bases can mean the difference of a successful or a ho-hum charter season.

No where is this distribution of monohulls and catamarans used in sail boat charters more critical than in Greece.  With hundreds of islands, the number of bareboat charter bases in Greece stands at nearly 50, and anticipating which bases will be busiest is a challenge.

Delivery charters offer deep discounts for bareboaters

To facilitate the distribution of dozens of yachts, the fleet managers turn to the retail charter market. Bareboat clients are enticed with deep discounts, from approximately 30% to over 50%, to reserve one-way, off-peak season delivery charters.

The arrangement is a win-win for all parties:  the fleet managers get their boats delivered to various bases, and the charter customers get to enjoy Greek yacht charters for a fraction of the summer season rates.

Bareboaters looking for discounts can deliver boats to Greek bases

Here’s a list of some of the delivery charters currently available in Greece:

Code     Type         Departure     Arrival     List Price     Discount     Price
Date     From     Date     To

S10110
OCEANIS 473R
23/04     KOS     28/04     RHO     2.025 €     40,74%     1.200 €

S10104
CYCLADES 50.5
23/04     ATH     30/04     CFU     3.070 €     51,14%     1.500 €

S10105
CYCLADES 50.5
30/04     ATH     07/05     SKI     4.050 €     55,56%     1.800 €

S10106
CYCLADES 50.5
30/04     ATH     07/05     RHO     4.050 €     48,15%     2.100 €

S10112
FIRST 47.7
30/04     SAM     07/05     ATH     2.640 €     43,18%     1.500 €

S10111
OCEANIS 473R
07/05     ATH     14/05     SKI     2.640 €     54,55%     1.200 €

S10118
CYCLADES 39.3
14/05     ATH     21/05     PAR     1.920 €     27,08%     1.400 €

S10107
CYCLADES 50.5
15/05     RHO     21/05     KOS     3.471 €     30,86%     2.400 €

S10102
BENETEAU 57
21/05     ATH     28/05     LEF     8.330 €     27,97%     6.000 €

S10113
OCEANIS 461R
28/05     ATH     04/06     KOS     2.565 €     41,52%     1.500 €

S10117
OCEANIS 373R
25/06     KOS     02/07     RHO     2.030 €     26,11%     1.500 €

S10103
OCEAN STAR 56.1
06/08     KOS     20/08     PAR     17.050 €     33,72%     11.300

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Interested in a delivery charter in Greece?  Contact our charter department HERE and mention one of the codes you see listed above.

The Exumas, Bahamas

Let’s take a quick look at the latest boating-related news coming out of the Bahamas:

1)  The wreck at Bacchus Rock (Exumas) has been raised and is now anchored where it  sank.  It is no longer a hazard to navigation.

2) There are two new locations for food and beverage provisioning in Georgetown (Exumas):  Denny’s (next to Exuma Markets),  and Pet’s Place (behind Tranee’s Beauty Salon).

Pet's Place healthy food deli and internet cafe bareboat provisioning market in the Exumas

3)  Remember – Elizabeth Harbour (Great Exuma) is a no-discharge zone, with fines running $1000 to $5000.

Elizabeth Harbour (Great Exuma) is a no-discharge zone

An excellent service for cruising boaters and bareboat sailors is the recycle center, located near the basketball court to the south of Lake Victoria.    They take glass, plastic, metal, and cardboard.  

Recycle on your bareboat charter to protect the ocean

4)  Watch your mast height when passing under the bridge from Great Exuma to Crab Cay.  Clearance is 5 meters at low water.  Vessels with a shoal draft and a height clearance under 16 feet should have no problem.

Crab Cay Bridge - watch your mast height

5)  There is talk of a proposed,  $64 million bridge to link Abaco to Grand Bahama.  Those in favor say a bridge would make it easier to conduct commercial activities between the islands. Opponents are concerned about the cost.  Some say the least expensive alternative is to fill in land between the two islands and build a road.

Do you think a bridge from Abaco to Grand Bahama is a good idea?  Comment on this blog, or contact us HERE to share your opinion!

How to provision for your bareboat yacht charter

So you’ve made the decision to do a Virgin Island bareboat charter. Congratulations! Obviously, you are comfortable with the responsibility of taking the helm and charting your own course.

Now, what should you do about your food and drink provisioning? After all, when you decide to do a bareboat charter, instead of hiring a crew, the responsibilities of cooking and cleaning are all up to you.

Here are your two basic options for provisioning:

1.  PURCHASE A PROVISIONING PACKAGE

Most charter companies will offer to stock your yacht with food and beverages – for a fee. You can choose from a half-board plan, sometimes known as split provisioning, or a full-board plan. The split plan gives you two meals a day, and the full-board plan is three meals a day.

Unless you are sailing in a remote area, our charter specialists suggest the split plan. This gives you the option of going ashore for either lunch or dinner and sampling the local island cuisine.

We also recommend provisioning for no more than 3-4 days during a 7-day charter. There are just so many opportunities to dine ashore in most Caribbean locations – it’s a shame to let extra food go to waste.

In the Caribbean, the typical cost to arrange for split food provisioning is approximately $30 per person per day.

As to drinks, most charter companies will give you a list of available beverages, including waters, soda, and alcohol. These items are purchased at a slight premium above retail and are stocked onto the yacht before your arrival.

In addition to food and beverage options, most charter companies offer a “starter” package of non perishable items, such as toilet paper, matches, charcoal, and plastic utensils.

2.  PROVISION THE YACHT, YOURSELF

If you have the time prior to the commencement of your sail boat charter, you can hit the local market and provision the boat, yourself. Of course, this might cut into your time on deck, enjoying the sunshine, but it can also save you a wad of cash.

If you elect to stock the boat yourself, save time by planning your basic food and drink menu from home, prior to your charter. Don’t forget to purchase non-food items such as charcoal for the grill, napkins, paper towels, etc.  Again, we suggest no more than 3 to 4 days worth of fresh food onboard for a 7-night charter.

*TIME SAVER!*  If you arrive a day before your charter and are staying in a hotel, ask your charter company if you can have access to the boat prior to the charter. Early access gives you time to stock the fridge and bring supplies onboard without cutting into your actual charter time.

Whether you purchase a provisioning package or you do it yourself, it is nice to have options.  The choice is yours and simply depends upon your budget…and your time!

When you charter a bareboat, do you pay for provisioning, or do you provision it, yourself?  Why?

Compilation of world cruising destinations -- a must read for bareboat charter enthusiasts!

The latest offering by one of the most influential cruising journalists, World Cruising Destinations is a must read for any bareboat charter veteran who dreams of going beyond a Caribbean yacht charter vacation.

Jimmy Cornell has sailed over 200,000 miles on all the oceans of the world, including three circumnavigations and voyages to the Arctic and Antarctic. His successful guide to sailing around the world, World Cruising Routes, has helped many aspiring yacht charter voyagers turn their dreams into reality and follow in his footsteps.

This substantial new handbook, World Cruising Destinations, serves as a whole earth guide, and is intended as a partner to Cornell’s celebrated, World Cruising Routes, a compendium of information about hundreds of countries around the globe, every destination comprehensively detailed with information on cruising attractions, history, culture, local laws, regulations and formalities, facilities available, public holidays, public events, emergency telephone numbers, and much more.

There is also detailed information on climate and weather, including average monthly temperatures, rainfall and tropical storm seasons.

Lavishly illustrated throughout, it is not only a must-have onboard reference work for long distance sailors, but it will undoubtedly inspire the adventurous to sail to where they have never ventured.

Available from Amazon.com for $32.97

GET YOUR **FREE** COPY OF JIMMY CORNELL’S NEW HANDBOOK! Book your next bareboat yacht charter online at www.bareboat.com and simply mention “PROMO CODE – WCD2011″

Classic schooner BONNIE LYNN is offering basic seamanship course for juniors and teens

Anyone who enjoys the Caribbean bareboat yacht charter lifestyle can attest to the wonders of exploring a new cruising ground, or lying at anchor with family and friends as the sun sets on the horizon. It’s a relaxing vacation, and a great hobby to pass down from parents to their children.

Of course, every experienced sailor knows the better prepared they are at “Situational Awareness,” the more enjoyable the bareboat experience will be. Training that begins in adolescence can be carried throughout a lifetime of sailing adventures.

Now, the classic schooner BONNIE LYNN is offering basic seamanship course for juniors and teens. Students who take the course will be better prepared to handle the unexpected circumstances that can arise when boating. An increased awareness will help them avoid dangerous situations.

Schooner sailboat BONNIE LYNN is the ideal classroom. Last summer, in their homeport of Islesboro, ME, the yacht’s crew offered 2 day/1 night courses for 9 – 11 year olds, and 3 day/2 night courses for 12-15 year olds. Six to eight students slept onboard and worked as part of the crew.  They will again offer Junior Seamanship Courses on Islesboro this summer, as well as expand the program to include adult courses. The Islesboro schedule will be announced at a later date.

During the months of June and October, they will offer Junior and Adult Seamanship Courses out of Newport, Rhode Island.

2-day programs ($300/pp) will be offered:

• June 4 – 5
  
• June 11 – 12
  
• June 18 – 19
• June 25 – 26

• October 1 – 2
• October 8 – 9
• October 18 – 19
• October 25 – 26

3-day programs ($450/pp) will take place:

• June 7 – 9
• June 14 – 16
• June 21 – 23

• October 4 – 6
• October 11 – 13
• October 18 – 20

Sessions are limited to 12 students, and prices includes food, beverages, and training manual.  Family and group rates are available.

Courses include basic safety orientation, situational awareness, positioning, communications, line handling, rules of the road, and much more!

To learn more or to register, contact SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html.  In the comment box, mention the “Bonnie Lynn Seamanship Course.”

New bareboat moorings in the Virgin Islands -- FREE!

If you’re planning a Virgin Islands bareboat charter, new moorings await you – and they are FREE!

A dozen sand screw-style moorings have been installed in Christmas Cove, off  St. Thomas, USVI. An additional 10 moorings will be installed next year.

Caribbean yacht charter enthusiasts have long known about this great anchorage.  A holiday raft-up in the mid 1950′s earned the scenic bay at Great St. James Island, off St. Thomas, the name, “Christmas Cove.”   It has become one of the most popular destinations in the U.S Virgin Islands for bareboat charter yachts, as well as local cruisers looking for an overnight anchorage.

In an effort to protect the seagrass beds – critical habitat for protected marine species like sea turtles, the local Fish and Wildlife Division of the Natural Resources Department came up with the idea to install moorings in this area.  Funds for the project have come from a Boater’s Infrastructure Grant.

Brochures with information about the moorings, their GPS coordinates, a map. and rules of use are available at St. Thomas, USVI marinas, or you can call 340-775-6762.

Use of the moorings is currently free – but the length of stay is limited to 10 days.

To book a St. Thomas yacht charter, click here to visit our bareboat website.