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Bareboat Yacht Charters Blog

So you’re about to enjoy your first bareboat charter in the Caribbean.  You own a powerboat back home and can’t wait to try your hand at a Caribbean yacht charter vacation.  If you practice the same mechanical checks on your bareboat charter yacht that you do on your own boat, chances are you’ll be in for a hassle-free adventure.

The best advice we can offer a motoryacht bareboat charter client is this – perform a daily engine check – even if the engine was running well yesterday!

Here’s a step-by-step engine maintenance guide to follow during your Caribbean yacht charter odyssey:

Before starting your boat:

  • Engine compartment: Take a quick look – make sure the bilge is clear.  Look for oil or water leaks, look for loose wires, and make sure all belts are ok.
  • Raw water inlet: Valve should be open and the strainer clear.
  • Fuel filter: Use a transparent filter and check for water or dirt. Drain off if needed.
  • Engine oil refill: Check with the dipstick. Fill if low, but take care not to overfill.
    • Checking bareboat engine

    Checking bareboat engine

    Ready to Start:

  • Switch over to starting battery. Start the engine with the gearbox in neutral, and run at medium revs to warm up.
  • Check the cooling water: Is it running from exhaust?
  • Look at the instrument panel:  make sure batteries are charging, and check the oil pressure.

    • While running:

  • Check the stern gland twice a day for leaks. Tighten the grease filter (if fitted) as needed.
  • Gearbox oil: Check periodically when the engine is running and warm. Remember to top up with gearbox oil, not engine oil.

    • These daily maintenance tips can prevent costly time delays during your vacation.  Now get out there and have some fun!

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    A bareboat charter client of ours forwarded a nice, short article about the dangers of sailing in fog. Not sure where he saw the article so we will paraphrase it and pass it along.

    Be cautious when dealing with limited visibility when boating

    Be cautious when dealing with limited visibility when boating

    While most of our bareboat charter business takes place in warm-water locations (Bahamas, Caribbean, etc.) we know many of our New England clients like to “sneak in”  a little summer sailing closer to

    home. Fog make not be much of an issue for us in the Caribbean, but taking safety precautions during a sail bareboat yacht charter in Newport, for example, makes a good deal of sense!

    The biggest danger of operating a sailing yacht or a motoryacht in fog probably comes from commercial vessels, including fishermen. The skippers of these vessels are seasoned veterans and are comfortable (dare we say “complacent”) operating in the soup.   Sadly, some of these gents are downright negligent, as evidenced by the Block Island ferry which hit the USCG buoy tender last year.

    Commercial fishermen are particularly problematical.  Often short-handed, it seems these skippers feel that they know the local waters.  Many have a “attitude” when it comes to watching out recreational boaters and bareboat charter vessels.

    The bottom line – you need to look out for yourself!

    It is highly suggested that you have a strong radar monitor onboard, and you keep a sharp eye on it.  Going slow, and sounding your horn, is the safest way to cruise in the soup, but here’s an extra precaution you can take:

    When traveling in a busy area, send a sécurité broadcast. Note your location, speed, direction, and broadcast your message on Channel 16.  Something like this should work: “Sécurité, sécurité, sécurité, this is the yacht “your boat name here” leaving Camden Harbor at 5 knots on course 120 degrees leaving buoy R2 headed towards Gilkey Harbor, all vessels take note.”  Skippers on nearby vessels will certainly appreciate the heads-up!

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