The phrase "bareboat charter" refers to renting a boat for a specified amount of time. It is considered a "bare" boat because the person or group renting the boat rents it "bare," meaning it comes without provisions or crew. Bareboat charters are quite popular in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, although you can arrange for a bareboat charter almost anywhere in the world. Bareboating generally refers to sailboats, the most popular form of bareboating, although you can find some power boats available for bareboat charters.
This type of charter usually involves the use of the boat and basic provisions. In some instances, a bareboat charter will include not only the use of the sailboat or power boat, but a dinghy with an outboard motor.
Topside, the boat should have functioning gauges and appropriate safety equipment, such as a boat hook, PFDs (personal flotation devices, or life jackets) and a net of some sort.
Below deck, expect to find bedding and basic comforts, such as bedding and towels and cleaning supplies. The boat should also have appropriate charts and electronics needed to navigate the area as well as appropriate paperwork.
With any bareboat charter, the person or group chartering the boat must provision the boat with food and water. Bareboat charter boats may or may not come with luxuries like a satellite connection or television. Some boats may have a wind generator while others will not. If you want extras like kayaks, bikes, or windsurfers, you must generally arrange for them a la carte through the charter operator or another local rental agency.
Bareboat charters do not come with any sort of maid or room service, so be prepared to use the cleaning supplies provided and cook the meals yourself. You can, of course, pay to have a crew on board, although it will add substantially to the total and compromise your privacy.
A reputable bareboat charter company will want to see proof of your ability to captain the boat they're renting you. If they don't feel comfortable in your ability to maneuver under power and sail, anchor, and dock, they will likely require you to hire a qualified captain for a few days, if not the entire duration of the trip. In some instances, they may also ask that you take on a crew member.
If you would rather not worry about sailing the boat, you can opt to hire a captain (and, if you wish, crew and a cook) for the length of your charter. Most bareboat companies either have someone on staff or can suggest a reputable skipper and mate.
Prepare for your trip by learning about local laws with regards to boats and navigation, whether or not you're hiring a skipper. Find out about local waters and marinas. Remember, even though you're on a boat, you're still going to foreign countries. Find out if you need permission to enter these countries.
When selecting a bareboat charter company, take the time to shop around. Many of these companies have a web site, but make sure to speak to someone in person while narrowing the search. Longevity matters; look for companies that have been in business in an area for several years. Also be sure to ask the bareboat charter companies about insurance and liability.
When you do go to contract on a charter, make sure the contract spells out the legal and fiscal responsibilities of both parties. Who is responsible if you run the boat up on a reef and damage the hull? Who pays for a tow if the engine fails? What types of provisions will the company provide? Is there a weather clause (this matters most during the summer months in the Caribbean, where hurricanes tend to crop up with alarming regularity.)
Cooking on a sailboat is not quite the same as cooking at home. Before you go cruising, find a few cookbooks written with sailors in mind. An excellent, inexpensive resource is the local sailing club. Chances are, the members will all have recipes they're willing to share. Many cruisers also create their own cookbooks and sell them for a nominal fee. These recipes are usually easy to make in one pot or bowl and make do with staples easily found in many ports.
