Pure, fluid lines on the Sun Odyssey 32i make it a unique bareboat charter yacht. Architect, Philippe Briand, and the Jeanneau design team have created this cruising sailboat in keeping with Jeanneau’s values.

Jeanneau 32i

At sea on a Caribbean yacht charter holiday, bareboat sailors can savor the simplest pleasures of coastal cruising, whether as a keel boat or lifting keel with twin rudders. At anchor, 2 couples can easily stretch out in the generous cockpit of the Sun Odyssey 32i. On the interior, refined details in the cabins, head compartments, saloon, galley, and even the card table enhance barefoot charter comfort onboard.

Jeanneau has turbocharged their 32 foot model. This has been achieved by adding a taller rig, a deeper keel, and some racing hardware. The interior, a surprisingly spacious two cabin layout, remains untouched. The new sail charter 32 is equipped with the best hardware and a voluminous interior making the perfect balance between the fast designed hull and the exceptional comfort of this two couple yacht.

This yacht will suit any level of sailor, making it a fine choice for the simple point of sight sailing found on a Caribbean yacht charter or the more challenging legs encountered on a Mediterranean yacht charter adventure.

One of the newest bareboats on the market, this monohull is available in Tortola (British Virgin Islands, Caribbean), the Ionian (Greece, Eastern Mediterranean), the Sporades (Greece, Eastern Mediterranean), Gocek (Turkey, Eastern Mediterranean), Marmaris (Turkey, Eastern Mediterranean), Turgutreis (Turkey, Eastern Mediterranean), and Bodrum (Turkey, Eastern Mediterranean).

For more information, visit 1-800-BAREBOAT at www.bareboat.com for Great PRICES and the NEWEST Bareboats in the World’s BEST Destinations.

While Procida is less well-known than its glamorous neighboring islands of Ischia and Capri, its mainland location makes it the ideal starting point for a bareboat charter to the Pontine Islands or along the Amalfi Coast.

Located in the Tyrrhenian sea within 50 miles of Italy’s west coast and just a one-hour cruise from
Naples, the Pontine Islands are only accessible by sea.  They remain relatively unknown, thus
making this archipelago ideal for an authentic Italian holiday on a monohull or catamaran bareboat.

The Pontine Islands include Ponza, Palmarola, Zannone, Ventotene, Santo Stefano, the small island of Gavi, and the solitary rock of la Botte, offering a variety of coastal conditions, with rock outcroppings, dockside villages, and small Mediterranean yacht charter ports.

Sail charter enthusiasts will enjoy mild climates, flourishing gardens, and fragrant citrus groves.  The waters are clear and perfect for summer snorkeling, especially in Palmarola. There are numerous coves and inlets – enough to fill a week or more with exploration possibilities. Walking shoes are a must – as there are many historical ruins and nature trails for hiking.

The marina at Corricella is a perfect overnight anchorage, at the edge of a postcard, picture-perfect fishing town, surrounded by nets and fishing boats. Only attainable by sea, there are no vehicles here. The village faces due southeast and is sheltered from all other sides by the cliff behind. A long ridge of rocks protects the marina from the occasional southeasterly wind (Scirocco).

Marina Corricella - Procida Italy near Naples - bareboat charter destination

What could be better than a monohull or catamaran sail yacht rental along the Amalfi coast, with its magnificent stretch of mountainous coastline and small fishing villages?  The charter base in Procida is sure to grow in popularity.  It is hard to imagine a more authentic slice of Italian coastal life.

An excellent sail monohull yacht for consderation is the Sun Odyssey 39i, featuring 3 cabins and 2 heads. Twin steering positions with winches placed near the helms provide easy sail handling. For safety, with a dedicated life raft locker integrated into the stern skirt, the Sun Odyssey 39i truly represents the next generation of yachts.

For more information, contact your charter specialists at www.bareboat.com through our website at
http://bareboat.com/contact_us.html
by email via info@bareboat.com 
by phone via 1-800-BAREBOAT (227-3262) or 305-720-7245
or via twitter http://www.twitter.com/bareboatdotcom

Lost luggage and trip cancellation insurance

Q. Does travel insurance cover terrorism?
A. Many travel insurance policies do not cover terrorism; but some do. 
 
Q. Is the financial default of an airline or tour operator covered?
A. Many programs include financial default coverage if insurance is purchased within 15 days of making the initial trip deposit. 
 
Q. How much does coverage cost?
A. The cost is based on the value of the trip and the age of the traveler. Typically, the cost is five to seven percent of the trip cost. 
 
Q. What else is offered?
A. Most providers offer 24-hour travel agency-type services, in case a traveler has to change a flight or a hotel room. Some offer assistance with emergency cash transfers, pre-trip consultation services (travel advisories, passport requirements, inoculation information, etc.), and live messaging, which will relay any email or phone message to family, friends, or business associates.

The choice of an area for your first bareboat charter trip can be a little tricky because there are three primary factors: your sailing experience, your climatic preferences, and your budget. There is no simple way to do this, because your decision will have to combine all 3 factors.

Picture yourself on your first bareboat yacht charter vacation

Before you can analyze the 3 factors, you must sort out the, “time of the year” issue.  After all, this is the one item you probably have the least control, in terms of the kid’s school holidays, vacation time from work, etc. Nevertheless, this is a good place to begin because, depending on the area, the timing will influence your budget.

If you have tight financial constraints, you can find excellent deals and discounts in some areas at low season. For example, the British Virgin Islands in July offer a great sailing experience, and you’ll find rates
reduced as much as 40% compared to high season (February and March).    If you are contemplating a Mediterranean yacht charter, May or September can be delightful and are much cheaper (and much less crowded) than July or August.

Your weather preferences are integral to your decision. Do you like very hot weather, or a more temperate climate? If you like the latter, for example, a Bahamas yacht charter vacation in February is much cooler (and cheaper) than in May.

Regardless of your skills, if this is your very first charter outing in open waters, we strongly suggest you choose an easy sailing area.  ASA sailing certification is good, but nothing takes the place on experience at the helm.  Here are two suggestions (assuming you are interested in a Caribbean yacht charter) guaranteed to provide you with a memorable first charter experience:

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are easy to get to from the States – only about 2.5 hrs by plane. Here, you’ll find magnificent scenery, plenty of beaches and not-too-bad snorkeling. Mooring balls are everywhere and you can go a whole week without dropping an anchor.  More importantly, you’ll enjoy a phenomenal sailing ground. Island hopping is done in line-of-sight, and the islands layout is such that most little “crossings” are short (1-2 hour sail on average).  Just as important, the anchorages are well protected.  Winds
always seem to be ideal in the BVI, sustained E/SE at 10-12 knots. This idyllic description does not mean you cannot get in trouble, as storm conditions can arise and challenge your  skills. If you apply good
seamanship rules, and listen to the weather forecasts, you’ll do just fine.

The Abaco Islands of the Bahamas are another great destination for first-time yacht charter sailors. The Abaco chain sits as the northern-most islands of the Bahamas. The Sea of Abaco is the shallow water between the islands of Little Abaco and Great Abaco. The Sea of Abaco has many of the same ideal attributes you find in the BVI:  Calm waters, easy line-of-sight navigation, and a relatively free of hazards area with easy anchorages.

Moving beyond the sailing elements of your self-drive charter yacht vacation, don’t forget to give some though to the recreational pursuits that differ from destination to destination.   Are you looking for active night life? Do you want to go shopping?  Do you like to fish?   These are important considerations that can be analyzed once you address the big three: experience, climate preferences, and your budget.

Are you qualified to sail a bareboat without crew?

As yacht charter consultants, the most common question we are asked is, “what qualifications are required to take a bareboat yacht charter vacation?”

Almost all reputable bareboat charter fleets around the world have the same criteria for determining a client’s bareboat qualifications. Whether planning a Caribbean yacht charter or a Mediterranean yacht charter, no formal certification of any kind is required to charter from most major fleets. Qualification is based primarily on your sailing experience.

For clients with little or no sailing experience, enrollment in a learn-to-sail sailing certification program is recommended. Many programs offer courses leading up to actual bareboat certification.

Most charter fleets will accept a certificate as proof that the customer is qualified to charter a sailing yacht. In some cases, the fleet will require a customer to pay for an instructional skipper to join the charter for a day or two. This check-out skipper is placed onboard to insure the newly-certified sailor is ready for his or her first yacht charter vacation.

The most widely recognized bareboat sailing certification designation in the United States is the American Sailing Association (ASA). ASA certification is honored by almost all barefoot fleets around the world.

Here is an overview of the typical, three-part program offered at most ASA sailing schools:

• LEVEL 1 – BASIC KEELBOAT SAILING
  A combination of classroom training and actual sailing experiences.
  Normally offered over a two to three day period, the course focuses on basic
  sailboat terminology, rules of the road, on-the-water safety, sail handling
  skills, knot tying, and VHF radio procedures.Expect to pay approximately $400.00 per person for this initial course. No
  experience is required to enroll.

• LEVEL 2 – BASIC COASTAL CRUISING
  A two to three day program involving both classroom and hands-on sailing
  training. Students practice keelboat sailing skills, cover course plotting,
  and learn United State Coast Guard requirements. The course also involves
  interpreting marine weather forecasts, anchoring techniques, and docking
  under power. Prerequisite: Basic Keelboat Sailing CertificationTypical prices for this intermediate course range from $450.00 to $550.00
  per person.

• LEVEL 3 – BAREBOAT CHARTER CERTIFICATION
  This two to three day course involves a small amount of classroom work,
  combined with extensive, hands-on sailing, including an overnight anchorage.
  Coursework covers boat systems, maintenance procedures, GPS operation,
  navigation, boarding etiquette, trip planning, and docking.  Sailing instruction
  is normally taught onboard 35′ – 43′ cruise-equipped sailboats.
  Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing and Basic Coastal Cruising CertificationsExpect to pay approximately $500.00 to $600.00 per person for this course.

Check your local yellow page directory for the name of the nearest sailing school.

You can also go online to the Yellow Pages, which link to other yellow page directories around the country.

You’ll also find advertisements for sailing schools in magazines such as “Sail” and “Cruising World.”

For more information, contact 1-800-BAREBOAT at www.bareboat.com.

If you are a bareboat charter enthusiast, you will marvel at the 2009 Cruising World Boat of the Year.  The US-based yachting magazine CRUISING WORLD has announced the winners of the Cruising World Boat of the Year 2009. Dufour Yachts, a perennial favorite among Mediterranean yacht charter customers has been rewarded twice!

The Dufour 40 Performance bareboat charter yacht won the prize for “Best Midsize Cruiser,”  while the Dufour 525 Grandlarge is the overall winner in the category, “Best Full Size Cruiser.”

Known among bareboat charter yacht fans everywhere as the Rolls Royce of sailing yachts, the Dufour 525 combines sleek, elegant European styling by French and Italian designers with stiff, strong construction – making her a safe and fast blue water cruiser.

The topsides feature a low coach roof, uncluttered teak decks, dual wheels, a German mainsheeting system operated at the helm, wide transom, and electrically operated swim platform.

Below decks, the mood is light and airy with a mix of mahogany and lighter textures illuminated by multiple ports and hatches. The owner can choose from 8 different layouts that include three to five cabins with either a longitudinal or u-shaped galley.   We feel the yacht charter marketplace will favor the 3 and 4 cabin layouts, as most yacht charter vacations are booked for 6 to 8 passengers.

On the water, a deep V’d hull design delivers a favorable compromise between sea kindliness and speed while electric winches let the crew trim the sails with the touch of a button.

The Dufour 525 is a sleek, classy vessel that can transport its passengers in safety and comfort anywhere its skipper chooses to sail, whether a Mediterranean yacht charter holiday or a Caribbean yacht charter vacation.

Dufour Yachts is a French sailboat manufacturer founded in 1964 by designer Michael Dufour.  2009 finds the builder fully commited to environmentally-friendly building practices:

* IROKO FSC wood: the company has chosen this wood for a healthy and durable forest management. By using FSC certified wood (Forest Stewardship Council), the builder supports a sustainable forest management to satisfy environmental, social and economic standards.

* New generation Volvo engine: the company installs latest technology engines which reduce emission of particles by 50%, while noise is being limited providing pleasure to everybody.

* Strong power alternator: the builder installs 115-140 amp service, to limit the time for batteries to refill and, consequently, to reduce the consumption of energy.

* LED Navigation lights with low energy consumption: to provide a luminous output (much higher than the traditional sources) that generates huge energy saving. (These navigation lights use less than 10% of the necessary energy to light a traditional source of 25W).

* Sea Water Foot Pump: to save fresh water resources on board.

* Injection/infusion Decks: the builder manufactures decks through injection/infusion to limit the emissions of VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and to reduce air pollution.

* System carburizing anti-overflow: to prevent spilling when filling in cooperation with the French Marine Federation (FIN).

* Holding tanks with a large capacity: to limit rejections and to preserve our maritime environment.

* Kit of biodegradable hygiene products: for a first gesture towards an eco-responsible behaviour.