CREW LIST
Please complete and submit the crew list as soon as possible, ideally at least 2 weeks before your charter starts. If you have booked a skipper please ignore any skipper sections of the form. Please complete the crew list electronically as hand written forms are not accepted by the port authorities.
TRAVEL & TRANSFERS
If you need any help or information when arranging your travel to the yacht base we will be glad to help. If you would like a transfer to the yacht base please complete the information in the Island Sailing transfer link.
At airport arrivals there will be a driver waiting holding a card bearing your name who will drive you directly to the yacht base where the base team will be waiting to greet you. Please pay the driver directly in cash unless otherwise advised.
If you have booked other accommodation prior to your charter it always works best to ask them to organise your transfer to the yacht base.
If you are making your own way to the yacht base please let us know the approximate time of your arrival. If you are going to be significantly earlier or later than expected please let the base team know, the contact details are on the Base Information Page.
Your transfers will be arranged if you have correctly completed your flight information on the Island Sailing transfer form request link so there is no need to re-check or re-send flight information to us.
ARRIVALS
- If you’re already at the destination before your charter or have an early arrival we recommend calling the base around 11.00 on the morning of your charter and they can give a clearer indication of when to arrive at the base for check-in.
- For bareboat charters usually only the skipper and co-skipper need to be present for check-in at the base office or designated meeting point and only the lead charterer is required for skippered and crewed charters. We recommend other members of your party to sit and relax at a café nearby as usually the base office/meeting points are quite small.
- If you will be arriving at the yacht base after 19.00 – 20.00 please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements with you for boarding your yacht.
DON’T FORGET TO BRING
Please use soft bags for luggage rather than hard cases as space on a yacht is limited and hard edges and wheels that can also damage the boat. It’s always best to travel light.
- Local currency/cash for locally payable charges and any optional extras for your charter such as skipper or hostess fees, paddleboards etc. Many mooring places, small shops and family tavernas may only be able to accept cash.
- VISA or MASTERCARD credit card with available limits to cover the yacht security deposit and/or damage waiver. Details can be found on your booking statement.
- Beach towel (yacht towels are provided for use onboard and in many cases you can request extra yacht towels at base for a small fee) some bases may also have availability to hire beach towels for a small fee.
- Snorkels, mask and flippers if you have them, or you can buy them locally.
- Lightweight shoes with non-marking soles for onboard, although many prefer to be barefoot. A lightweight waterproof jacket, particularly at the start or end of the season.
- European adapter plugs.
- For bareboat charters valid skipper sailing licences, co-skipper sailing licence (if they have one) and VHF radio licence (VHF mandatory for Croatia and Italy).
- Travel insurance policy information (to include the activity of sailing).
- All yachts are equipped with sufficient numbers of life jackets, usually of a standard adult and child size. If you are not a standard size, or especially for small children it is wise to bring your own life jackets .
You may well have your own favourite websites and Apps to check the weather.
In Greece, most skippers use Poseidon www.poseidon.hcmr.gr (Greek Meteorological and Hydrological Service) and www.meteo.gr. You can look at websites such as www.windy.com and they have a good app. Windy has the option to view either Wind or Wind gusts. Also you can change the forecast model data on the app.
You can also check on Meteo www.meteo.gr and choose your closest island. You can choose ‘English’ for these websites
Most skippers sailing in Croatia refer to Meteo.hr, the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service. When you visit the site choose ‘Forecasts’ then ‘Aladin Charts’ then ‘Wind and MSLP’ here is the link Meteo.hr.
You can also find weather information at marinas and yacht clubs.
Your yacht will be full at the start of your charter and you (or your skipper if you have one) will fill up when you are returning to the base either at a fuel station or from a mobile fuel truck on the dock. You pay the fuel station or truck directly by cash or card.
Most yachts have an option to hire paddleboards (SUP’s) and some yachts have other optional extras in addition to this like fishing gear, watersports gear, coffee machines etc. As hiring extras are subject to availability its really important to let us know as soon as possible. You will pay for these extras when you arrive at base and most of the time these extras are payable in cash. If you leave it until the last minute there may not be any availability.
Some yachts, especially the larger catamarans have coffee machines onboard, and sometimes there is an option to pre-order one to have onboard. Coffee pods can be bought at the local shops or via on-line provisioning services where available. Different yachts have different types of coffee machines and these can be subject to change so its best to check when you arrive at base for the specifics.
If there isn’t this option our destinations are famous for their coffee and there are lots of places to enjoy coffee drink-in or take away!
Some yachts, especially in Croatia are equipped with a wi-fi router onboard for a reasonable fee. In Greece and often in Italy, wi-fi onboard is quite expensive and limited. We find the best option in almost every case is to use your own mobile for internet. There is also wi-fi internet available at many yacht bases and most cafés, bars and restaurants around the sailing areas have free Wi-Fi available.
We find that many of the sailing areas do actually have good mobile phone signal, often even in the more remote places! Don’t forget your charging adapters.
If you arrive to the yacht base early before your yacht is ready there will be places to have a drink or some food whilst you wait. Some yacht bases are located close to some beautiful towns which you can explore whilst you wait for your yacht.
If you have a bareboat charter and arrive after 19.00 – 20.00 we will let you know where your yacht is berthed and it will be open and ready for you to board. You will receive your yacht brief and handover the following morning, usually after 09.00.
If you have a skippered or crewed charter your skipper or crew will meet you at the base and welcome you onboard your yacht. You will receive the skipper/captain or crew members contact number the week of your charter so you can liaise with them.
If you have a late flight home and need advice or information for options to enjoy your final day please ask us in advance. With lots of local knowledge we are always happy to help wherever we can. You can also speak with the base team when you arrive as they are often a great source of local information.
In many cases there is a limited or no amount of space at the yacht base to store luggage. Some marinas do have luggage store facilities, please ask us or the base team for more information.
Yes, in most cases we can organize private transfers to the yacht base for you. Please complete the Island Sailing transfer form via the link. For transfers at the end of your charter please speak with the base team when you check-in at the start of your charter and they can organize this locally for you for the end of the trip. We recommend not to wait until your last day to request your onward or homebound transfer as it can often be busy during the season on these days.
SKIPPERED CHARTERS
For skippered charters there aren’t fixed itineraries, we and your skipper can make recommendations and suggestions and of course, your skipper will make the final calls depending on weather, distance, mooring viability etc.
When you arrive at the yacht base your skipper will discuss with you what kind of places you would like to visit and tailor things to meet your wishes, you are best not to set an itinerary in your mind before you arrive, but if you have some ideas, requests or preferences let us know and we can pass this information onto your skipper. The skippers, hostesses and crew will all speak English.
When you provision for food remember to include enough for your skipper, generally they are happy to have whatever you are having. If you have a hostess they will ensure there is enough provisions for all onboard. In the evening most people like to spend time with their families’ and friends’ and the skipper can meet up with their fellow colleagues or just relax. Please cover their evening meal if you prefer to dine alone (around 30 euro per day is recommended). It works best to agree and pay an amount at the start for your skipper/hostess to cover their evening meals for the duration of the charter. All the skippers and hostesses are extremely professional and personable and provide discreet and unobtrusive assistance throughout your yacht charter.
It is customary that you tip your skipper/hostess at the end of the charter. A guideline amount would be between 5-10% of your yacht charter price (excluding extras/optional charges) per person. As this can encompass quite a range it’s at your discretion to offer gratuity you think your skipper/hostess deserves. We’re sure they’ll add great value to your charter experience!
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need any information or advice.
Don’t forget to share your sailing holiday photos with us to receive a voucher towards your next charter!
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We wish you a fantastic yacht charter!
