My First Charter
How It Works
Tell us what you're looking for in your perfect sailing adventure. Don’t worry if you’re not sure, we have lots recommendations. A broker will then be in touch to discuss your options with you.
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DISCUSS
Your broker will organise your charter from start to finish. Put down a fifty percent deposit and we'll get busy making sure you have all the necessary information, keeping you in the loop at all times.
- 2 -
BOOK
Discover the ease of an
R.W. Wakeley Charter.
Pack the suncream and set sail to discover your own turquoise world.
- 3 -
DISCOVER
Choosing A Charter
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CHARTER YACHT FOR ME?
Before you start, your first point of contact will be to one of our charter brokers.
With extensive knowledge of the yachts and destinations, they will help you to make the process effortless and enjoyable. With your broker, you will discuss the following points:
- The exact type of experience you are after?
- What level of comfort you want?
- Who will be the guests onboard the yacht?
- Is it a family charter, or a group of friends?
- What activities and experiences are you after?
- What mix of quiet secluded anchorages - to lively towns with nightlife you would like?
These are all points that will help us choose the best yacht and destination for you. You will also be asked to specify your preferred charter dates - this is key as some yachts may already be fully booked on your chosen dates, even a year in advance.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF YACHT?
SAILING YACHT
A monohull offers the traditional experience and exhilaration of sailing (they heel over). Good accommodation and the most popular form of charter yacht. Available from 35ft to more than 100ft in length.
CATAMARAN
A multihull enables you to live in an abundance of space and is a very stable platform as they do not heel over. Typically with 4 or more large double cabins, an upper deck and a large central living space with ample sunbathing areas. Available from 39ft to more than 77ft in length.
MOTOR YACHT
With two or three decks and luxurious interiors, this is the ultimate charter experience. Motor yachts can achieve higher speeds and large distances can be covered quickly, enabling more time at your destination. Available from 50ft to more than 200ft in length.
GULET
Traditional two or three-masted wooden sailing vessel (mostly motored everywhere). Great for 8 - 20 people who all want to be on the same boat. Large luxurious cabins, ample sunbathing space and dining area provide a taste of luxury crewed charter at an affordable price
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT CHARTER TYPES?
BAREBOAT
The yacht you charter is skippered by you. As skipper, you must have the relevant worldwide accredited qualifications required in the country of charter. The yachts available to charter bareboat are Sailing Yachts and Catamarans, sized 30ft to 60ft.
SKIPPERED
The yacht will have a fully qualified skipper on board, who is responsible for the yacht and navigation. Perfect for first-time sailors, as there is no experience necessary. Sit back and relax while they do the work. For extra comfort add a hostess for the week.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED TO CHARTER A YACHT BAREBOAT?
To Charter a yacht bareboat you will need a sailing qualification such as RYA Day Skipper, International Certificate of Competence (ICC), or ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising Certificate. In Croatia a VHF licence is also mandatory.
In British Virgin Islands and Thailand, a qualification is not necessary, however you will need to provide proof of experience sailing a similarly sized yacht.
DO YOU KNOW THE YACHTS?
We pride ourselves in taking time out to travel to these destinations and personally visiting as many of the yachts as we can. We only work with the best yacht operators and yachts on the market.
WHAT DAY DOES MY CHARTER START?
Your charter will start and finish on a Saturday and is taken in 1 week blocks. This is the same all over Europe. The exceptions to this rule are the Caribbean, long haul destinations and luxury crewed yachts. On these charters, you can start and finish on any day and for as long as you want (minimum 7 days).
DO WE HAVE TO TAKE A FIXED ROUTE?
No, you have the freedom to go wherever you like. You can travel to as many destinations/islands as you like or stay in your favourite place all week! We normally recommend no more than 4hrs cruising a day. If you would like to do more, this can be discussed with your skipper.
DO I HAVE TO FINISH AT THE SAME PORT?
No you don’t. You can decide to take your charter one way (Split – Dubrovnik for example). However, it is likely your charter will have to finish a day early in order for the yacht to be returned to its home port ready for its next booking. There is normally an additional charge for this.
An Example Day
A yacht charter is a unique kind of holiday, that gives you the flexibility to really experience a destination and see a completely different view to the majority of land based tourists. A yacht charter is not all about the sailing and often you will only actually sail for 1-3 hours a day, perhaps broken up by a special and secluded lunchtime swimming spot. A typical day will include lots of swimming, sunbathing, and exploring unique destinations.
Click on each location to read more
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Skipper & Hostess
Time is precious, so why not sit back, relax and let us organise every detail of your charter.
We do something very special. We are the ONLY yacht broker who hand select the best skippers and hostesses for each individual charter. We ensure that we have the best skipper & hostess combinations based on each of the guest’s needs during their week.
Every charter is 100% bespoke for the individuals booking.
We are the ONLY yacht broker who hand select the best skippers and hostesses for each individual charter.
WHAT DOES A SKIPPER DO?
If you have a professional skipper, will take care of everything to do with the yacht, navigating you safely to all the destinations you would like to visit, so you can just sit back and relax. Skippers have have in-depth knowledge about the local area, such as know secret coves for secluded swimming, sports etc, and will discuss your itinerary with you to make sure you don't miss anything.
They will also do helpful things like taking you to and from the shore in the dinghy and ensuring you have an unforgettable experience.
All our Skipper's are hand picked, so you can be sure you are getting the best.
WHAT DOES A HOSTESS DO?
A hostess will look after you all from the moment you arrive at the yacht, to the moment you leave.
They keep the yacht well provisioned with snacks and drinks, and will cook you fantastic meals. Over a week they will serve breakfast, lunches and one or two dinners on board, when anchored in quiet coves for the night.
Hostesses also keep the yacht clean and tidy, so you don't have to lift a finger.
All our Hostesses are hand picked, and really do add an extra dimension to your charter experience.
Chartering Costs
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Think of it like a villa. If there are 10 people in a villa, the price per person is one tenth of the overall cost. Exactly the same principle applies to a yacht - the more people you put on the yacht, up to its maxiumum capacity, the cheaper it is per person. Yachts come in a range of different prices dependent on type, size, facilities, crew and location. Have a look at some of our example charters for different yacht ideas and prices, or send us an enquiry and we'll be happy to help find what you're looking for for your personal budget.
Keep the Questions Coming!
Can't see what you're looking for on this page? Send us an enquiry, or give us a call +44 (0)207 0780812