New bareboat base featuring racing sailboats to open in San Francisco, California in June 2012 - contact bareboat.com for more information

We are thrilled to announce that a new bareboat base will open this summer in San Francisco, California.

Our partners at Sunsail will open a base on the United States West Coast for the very first time – in San Francisco, California in June 2012.   A brand new matched fleet of Beneteau First 40s will be introduced in the hopes of securing competitive racing bareboat charters.

This is a new product portfolio for Sunsail and will place greater emphasis on racing, corporate hospitality / special events, and team-building programs.   Traditional California bareboat sailing vacations and sailing school activities are also planned.

Euromonitor International ranks San Francisco as one of the top tourist destinations in the world.  Beginning in June, both tourist and local residents can explore the region in a whole new way – on a luxury sailing charter.

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California - one of the many sightseeing excursions bareboat sailors can experience in California

The San Francisco Bay area is a beautiful, natural harbor bordered by steep rolling hills and famous manmade landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and the prison fortress on Alcatraz Island.  Once ashore, sailors can visit the famous crooked Lombard Street, eat in Chinatown, and stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf.

An added attraction to the area is its close proximity to the Napa Valley region, with its many vineyards and redwood forests.  An extended sailing itinerary could include stops in Benicia, Petaluma, and Napa Valley.

Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800-BAREBOAT and parent company SailAway Yacht Charters notes the unique sailing conditions of the area.  “You’ll find consistent wind patterns in the enclosed waters of San Francisco Bay.  The spirited winds, along with constant cool temperatures and sunny afternoons make this an ideal location for both sailboat racing and corporate incentive yacht charters.”

The new base will be located the eclectic artist enclave community of Sausalito. The Sausalito waterfront is a quick 30-minute sail from the Golden Gate Bridge, offering spectacular views of the bridge and San Francisco.

New bareboat base in San Francisco, California features Beneteau First sailing yachts

The fleet will include 8 brand new First 40s. Built by Beneteau and designed by Farr Yacht Design, the First 40 bareboat is a thoroughbred sailing yacht, ideal for racing, cruising, and learning how to sail.  In 2009 the First 40 was selected as Crossover Boat of the Year by Sailing World Magazine.

The 3 cabin/1 head layout offers both comfort and space without compromising performance. Amenities include asymmetric spinnaker, bow sprit, chart plotter, autopilot, electric head, and heating.

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To arrange your first US west coast sailing vacation, contact the bareboat specialists at http://www.bareboat.com/contact_us.html

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

Deep discounts on bareboat one way delivery charters are available in Croatia between Split and Dubrovnik

Hot on the heels of these great deals in Greece comes news of similar savings for a Croatia yacht charter vacation.

Here are some offers on Croatia bareboat delivery charters:

FROM Split to Dubrovnik:

21 – 28 May, 2011
Bavaria 49 (2003)
5 cabins / 3 heads
Passengers: 10-12
Regular Price: EUR 3500
DISCOUNT: 15 %
TOTAL: EUR 2975
(EUR 120 cleaning fee + Dubrovnik marina fee extra)

25 June – 2 July, 2011
Salona 40 (2006)
3 cabins / 1 head
Passengers: 6-8
Regular Price: EUR 2400
DISCOUNT: 15%
TOTAL: EUR 2040 EUR
(EUR 120 cleaning fee + Dubrovnik marina fee extra)

25 June – 2 July, 2011
Sun Fast 43 (2004)
4 cabins / 2 heads
Passengers: 8-10
Regular Price: EUR 2950
DISCOUNT:15%
TOTAL: EUR 2507.50
(EUR 120 cleaning fee + Dubrovnik marina fee extra)

Bavaria sailboats are offered at deep discounts to bareboat sailors wanting to sail them one-way between Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia

FROM Dubrovnik to Split:

4 – 11 June, 2011
Bavaria 49 (2003)
5 cabins / 3 heads
Passengers: 10-12
Regular Price: EUR 4500
DISCOUNT: 15 %
TOTAL: EUR 3825
(EUR 100 cleaning fee + Dubrovnik marina fee extra)

25 June – 2 July, 2011
Salona 37 (2007)
3 cabins / 1 head
Passengers: 6-8
Regular Price: EUR 2300
DISCOUNT: 15 %
TOTAL: EUR 1955
(EUR 100 cleaning fee + Dubrovnik marina fee extra)

9 – 16 July, 2011
Bavaria 37 (2007)
3 cabins / 1 head
Passengers: 6-8
Regular Price: EUR 2200
DISCOUNT: 15%
TOTAL: EUR 1870
(EUR 100 cleaning fee + Dubrovnik marina fee extra)

1 – 8 October, 2011
Bavaria 46 (2005)
4 cabins / 2 heads
Passengers: 8-10
Regular Price: EUR 2200
DISCOUNT: 15%
TOTAL: EUR 1870
(EUR 100 cleaning fee + Dubrovnik marina fee extra)

17 – 24 September, 2011
Bavaria 39 (2007)
3 cabins / 2 heads
Passengers: 6-8
Regular Price: EUR 2000
DISCOUNT: 15%
TOTAL: EUR 1700 EUR
(EUR 100 cleaning fee + Dubrovnik marina fee extra)

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

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?

New bareboat catamarans available for charter in the Caribbean

Ahoy, mates! The following new catamaran bareboat sail boats are available for hire in Tortola, BVI.  They are so new that we have not had a chance to list them on our website!

We are so excited to offer these new yachts to you. To get you excited, 1-800-BAREBOAT is offering a 5% introductory discount for all new reservations on these yachts. Reservations must be completed by April 30, but your actual charter dates can be any time in 2011.

Here are your choices:

2011 LAGOON 450 CATAMARAN with 3 cabins, 3 heads, and air conditioning. Arriving in Tortola on March 24th, 2011.

2012 LAGOON 421 CATAMARAN with 4 cabins, 4heads, and air conditioning.  Scheduled to arrive in Tortola on November 1st, 2011.

2011 34 ft GEMINI 105Mc CATAMARAN with 3 cabins and 1 head. Arriving in Tortola on March 15th, 2011.

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GEMINI 105Mc – If you’ve never sailed a catamaran, now is your chance!

For as low as $3000 per week, our charter specialists will “convert” you from a monohull sailor to a cat lover! See why catamarans are so popular, and charter the 34ft Gemini 105 MC catamaran on your next sailing vacation. The 5% introductory discount brings the price of this little cat inline with a similar-sized monohull.

LAGOON 450 – This beauty arrives in the BVI on March 24th, but is only available for 8 weeks, so hurry and book the latest, hottest catamaran on the market!

Boat highlights:
3 cabin/3 head owners version with air conditioning
Forward cabin converts to V berth and can be suitable for 2 adults
Cockpit fridge
Aft sun canvas & cockpit sides
Cockpit table
Electric winch for davits
Cockpit cushions forward, canvas Bimini over helm station
100 V ice maker in cockpit, electric winch on mainsheet
Solar panels on Davits
Sun lounger pads for flybridge
2 Genoa electric windlass, windless remote control at flybridge with chain counter
Upgrade to 2 x 54 HP yanmars with double engine throttle at Nav Station, inverter
Electric quiet flush heads in all cabins

LAGOON 421 - This 2012 model splashes down in the BVI in November. This luxury sailing charter vessel is suitable for up to eight guests with 2 adults in each cabin. She features air conditioning throughout, and en-suite bathrooms and showers in the cabins.

Boat highlights:
12 V Cockpit Fridge
Cockpit table for up to eight guests
Air conditioning throughout in cabins, salon, and galley
Electric quiet flush heads in all cabins
Canvas Bimini at helm station

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Which boat is better, a monohull or catamaran? Please leave us a comment!

To book one of these new models, click HERE or call 1-800-BAREBOAT (800-227-3262)