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Sailing's a Breeze on a Chartered Boat
 | | Beth Rubin | | Captain readies a sloop for a weekend charter. |
For total relaxation and that indescribable feeling of being at one with nature, little in life matches slicing through the water on a cloudless day, sails full, cold drink in hand. Lie back and marvel as an osprey passes overhead, grasping a fish in its talons. Wave to sailors on a freighter heading to Baltimore. Drop the hook in a secluded cove and take a dip. Read, nod off, read, nod off. Tie up at a waterside restaurant for a seafood dinner. Then let the gentle motion of your water-born cradle rock you to sleep.
Hey, honey, sell the house and the kids!Tantalizing as it may sound, here on terra firma,not everyone wants the responsibility—or expense—of owning a boat. Some novices want to get their feet wet to see if they like cruising. Former owners who are "between boats" want to test different models before signing on the dotted line. Some seek a different vacation experience. For these and many others, chartering is the answer.
But navigating the sometimes murky waters of chartering can be daunting, especially for those with little or no experience. Where do you start? How much will it cost? Should you bareboat or hire a captain? What do you pack?
The Basics
Charter companies can be found up and down the Bay. In their fleets are boats from 14 feet to 55 feet (and occasionally larger). Typically, they lease for a weekend or longer. But nothing is written in stone, or in this case, mud. If you want only a half-day, ask. The average price for two days on a 28-foot sloop (a comfy size for a couple), is $650. A day usually begins at 9am and ends at 5pm. For less than the cost of a hotel room, you can board the night before, always a good idea in my experience. You'll have time to stow your gear, get acquainted with the boat's layout — and idiosyncrasies — settle in, and locate the fork for the martini olives.
Melissa Bellinger, a consultant to Annapolis Bay Charters who has logged almost 30 years in the business, advises prospective charterers to speak to the reservationist in person—either "face-to-face or on the phone, but not by e-mail," to ensure personal knowledge of the captains and how the boat is maintained. "Otherwise, the [reservation] person may be in Massachusetts and may never have laid eyes on the boat." If possible, she also suggests inspecting the boat before booking it and getting a reference from a local yacht broker.
What about insurance? The good news is that the boats are insured by their owners. As a charterer, you pay a collision damage waiver that covers the deductible. To avoid surprises, Bellinger urges charterers to ask, "What are my responsibilities as to collisions, lost items, damage (to the boat)?" Prices are usually firm, with lower rates during the midweek (Monday noon to Friday noon). Ask if there are any "Specials." If business is slow, you might get lucky. The same rule applies here as booking a hotel room: If you don't ask, you don't get.
 | | Beth Rubin | | The Bay Bridge from a chartered 35-foot sloop. |
Captain, my captain
The first and most important consideration when booking a charter is to take an honest look at your skills, or lack thereof. If you paddled a canoe at camp 30 years ago, you are not a candidate for bareboating. And there is no sense fudging. Mac Bogert, a USCG-licensed captain with 20 years' experience, recalls a charter last summer. "They told me they had lots of sailing experience and wanted to help." Yet when he asked someone to grab the jib sheet, "they looked dumbfounded then began grabbing every line, sheet and halyard."
If you fall into this category, you need a captain, which will set you back about $200 a day. Believe me, the comfort of knowing someone else is in charge is immeasurable. You can still participate as much as you like. Captains love to share the work, excuse me, fun.
While we're talking about captains, tipping is expected. Two hundred dollars a day is chicken feed for showing you a good time, getting you safely and comfortably to your destination, playing host, larnin' you a thing or two about sailing, listening to you and your partner squabble, sometimes getting wet ... and guarding your life.
The drill
A reputable charter company will want your sailing resume up front. It is standard for them to require that you to go on a short sea trial or "underway checkout" to ensure that you know port from starboard, can handle the wheel or tiller, rigging and sheets, and can dock without mishap. They'd be crazy to risk a maritime pileup and put you, the boat and their company in jeopardy; or, worse yet, arouse the ire of the owner. A checkout and chart briefing are part of the drill to ensure that all systems are in working order and everything you contracted for is provided. Nothin' to do but get up in the morning, throw on a T-shirt and shorts and cast off.
Provisioning
Everything tastes better on a boat. Even stale pretzels and bologna sandwiches. Simplicity is key when planning meals and snacks. But if the mere thought of galley duty makes you seasick, inquire about hiring crew (a.k.a. a galley slave) to prepare meals. The cost runs around $100 a day. Charter companies will provision (groceries, beverages, snacks) if you wish. But the service costs extra. Nobody asked, but I prefer to provision myself and put the money saved into a restaurant meal. Pack what you need in watertight and waterproof containers as refrigeration is by ice on many boats. You can always pick up what you may have forgotten at a grocery and liquor store near the marina. Sometimes there's a small general store onsite.
Pack light and layer
Unless you're going out on a 55-footer, space will be at a premium. So pack light, anticipating every possible weather condition except snow. And pack clothing you can layer. It is not unusual to start with sweats and a windbreaker at dawn, move to shorts or a bathing suit by mid-morning, and end in long pants and long-sleeve shirt at dusk.
For a weekend, feel free to adopt my "one of everything" list: sunscreen, sunglasses, toiletries, hat (that won't blow off), bathing suit, cover-up , underwear, socks, sweatshirt, sweat pants, jeans or khakis, shorts, white tee shirt/undershirt, polo shirt, long-sleeved shirt, flannel shirt or lightweight jacket, sneakers, boat shoes or extra pair of shoes with non-skid soles, foul weather jacket (the real thing; not something you'd wear to the theater). Throw in an extra set of underwear. Nothing worse than soggy underwear.
Most charter companies supply towels and bedding (sheets/blankets/pillows) for a nominal charge. Be sure to ask. Some people prefer taking their own or a sleeping bag. You may want to pack your favorite pillow. But even if you forget, you'll rest easy— if you've done your homework.
Resources:
Annapolis Bay Charters, 7344 Edgewood Rd., Annapolis. 800-991-1776. www.annapolisbaycharters.net.
Annapolis Yacht Charters, Bembe Beach Rd., Annapolis. 866-201-4283. www.annapolisyachtcharters.com
www.visit-annapolis.org
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When not tethered to her PC, Beth Rubin sails the Bay every chance she gets.
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