Volume II Issue 3

You have learned how to sail and you don't own a boat, or you have always wanted to take a staycation and experience sailing.   There are plenty of options for enjoying a sailing charter on Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.   Where to start?  You have two basic choices:  Bareboat or Crewed.  Crewed sailing charters are the obvious choice for people who want to experience sailing and do not have the skill sets to sail their own sailboat.  Bareboat sailing charters, where you rent a sailboat, are a popular choice for people who know how to sail and typically do not own a large cruising boat.

In some cases there are several advantages  hiring a captained or crewed sailing charter for your Chesapeake Bay cruise compared to a bareboat charter--even if you know how to sail.  So what are some of the advantages of a captained versus bareboat yacht charter?  

For one thing--price.  Let's take an example.    Lets's say you and four friends, all of whom know how to sail, decide you want to rent a 43 foot cruising sailboat for the weekend.  This boat has the same amenities as S/V Shardana with the exception that most bareboat vessels do not come with a dinghy and engine, towels and linens, and a generator so you can operate air conditioning while on anchor.  (The charter price for S/V Shardana  includes all the aforementioned amenities).  A typical bareboat weekend charter rate is $2315.00 beginning  Friday evening through Sunday at 5pm.  Taxes are 11% in Maryland for bareboat charters.  The total charter fee is now $2570.  When you return the bareboat yacht you must pay for pumping out the waste tanks--typically two tanks at $5/tank for $10.  You also need to pay for fuel to top of the diesel tanks--$30.  So your all in cost for the boat rental itself is $2610.00.  If you want to go to a marina, say to put your air conditioning on for the night,  an additional $3/foot expenditure is incurred for a cost of $126.  This puts the total cost to $2736.  Oh--add an additional 3.5% if you only use credit cards (an additional $96). You are also directly responsible for the yacht, so if you go aground or something else happens, the insurance deductible is your responsibility.

Now consider hiring S/V Shardana for the weekend. The weekend starts at 2pm on Friday and ends Sunday afternoon around 5pm.   The total all-in fee for S/V Shardana is $2400.  This all-in fee includes the boat, captain, fuel, pump-out, linens and towels, dinghy with an engine and a generator.  You don't need to bring linens, blankets, sleeping bags and pillows with you.  There are no additional fuel or pump out fees.  You can choose to sleep at anchor in air conditioned comfort on the water and still go ashore without paying hefty dock fees. If you and your group do decide to go to a marina or dock then you would be responsible for those same dock fees. However, with a motorized dinghy, why not sleep on the water and enjoy nature?

Another advantage to a captained sailing charter?  Our US Coast Guard licensed captains will let you sail Shardana as much (or as little) as you desire.  The great part is you do not have any responsibility for the vessel if you go aground or some other mishap happens to occur.   In addition, ALL our captains are certified sailing instructors.  So if you want to brush up on your sailing skills, just ask.  Our captains, upon request, love to help others increase their sailing knowledge and skillsets.

 So you get all the advantages of a Chesapeake Bay charter, don't have to worry about bedding,  have the option of not being required to go to a dock (and pay extra) to go ashore, plus the experience of a licensed captain who happens to also be a sailing instructor without the responsibility for the vessel at a lower price compared to a bareboat charter rental.  

The downside(s).....  Are there any?

Welcome Aboard and Sail Your Story,

Captain Andrew Seligman, President