There are 2 types of boat charters: bareboat, and crewed/skippered. A bareboat charter is not one where you go naked, it is one where, if you qualify, you get to take the boat out by yourself. A “skippered” charter is one where a captani is assignedt to operate the vessel for you and crewed usually means there is a captain and a chef/cook on board for you, or more “mates” if needed. When you decide to charter a boat, the “thought process” should or might go like this: 1. Where? - Caribbean, Mediterranean, Pacific 2. When/for how long? - Each area has its cold/warm/rainy/not so rainy/windy/not so windy/crowded/not so crowded seasons. Also, each area presents a level of required proficiency if you are to bareboat. 3. What type of boat? - Monohull, Catamaran, Yacht, Megayacht 4. Charter Company? - There are tens of charter companies. All have the potential to be good (if not they would be out of business) but some are consistently good, and some are consistently bad. Do your research in your selection 5. Captain/Crew - Charter companies usually have captains and chefs on staff or have referrals, but the best place to start is by contacting us by email with your inquiries A charter usually involves family members and friends. For both, you MUST make sure that there is some level of compatibility. Living on a boat for 7 days or more (minimum is usually 7 days) is not a feat for the lighthearted. It will be like living on a floating hotel room with more or less amenities. Problem is it is going to be “tight quarters”, sometimes heads (bathrooms - boating dictionary later) will have to be shared, galleys (kitchen) are usually compact, etc, etc. You do NOT want to have to endure those 7 days with someone that cannot be “flexible”. If one person does not like the experience and shows it, this feeling will be transferred to all onboard. If you decide a charter is for you, I GUARANTEE it will be the experience of a lifetime. More on chartering coming…..