Experiences on a rental boat: The skippers job

Today’s post shares some of the experiences that we and other sailors have had during our time as charterers. ¿What does the skippers job consists in?

We should say two types of «user» can be identified within the chart industry: those with a qualification and those without. In general, sailors posses a tittle that allows them to handle yachts directly and rent a boat and captain during the charter period. Here, we will see the second group. That is people who do not have a title, but who want to enjoy an experience in the high seas with a sailboat. Nautic Ocean is firmly committed to open the world of racing to anyone who is willing to enjoy sailing or learn more about this fascinating discipline.

Charter Experiences 

The difference between a charter trip and a catamaran tour or sailboat with 80 people lies in customizing the trip. ¿What will a passenger entering aboard a sailboat charter have the opportunity to? To actively participate in some of the maneuvers, such as tacking or furling/rolling out the mainsail and to discover how the instruments found in electronic modern ships actually work.

That being said, the wishes of the passengers are always respected. We understand that some just want to worship the sun from the foredeck, others will constantly take pictures from all points of the boat. On the meanwhile, others might give the captain a third degree, with questions like «what was the most violent storm that you experienced?». Whatever the case is, I can assure you that the captain, as a true lover of the sea, always love to hear questions like this and see how the team is playing a hands-on role in the direction of the yacht.

The skippers work

The mission of a rental skipper is twofold: to ensure maximum safety of the crew and the ship, and that the experience is as pleasant as possible.

A competent captain will always:

-Present himself and give you a warm welcome in at least two languages.
-Give a short briefing on safety at sea. Explaining how to use lifejackets and where are they kept is really important. Broadcast knowledge about how EPIRB, liferaft (if applicable) and channel 16 VHF work. Finally, showing how to move around the boat. Depending on the duration and distance of the chart, he or she will also talk about night navigation, weather conditions, etc.
-Encourage, as far as possible, the participation of all stakeholders in the maneuvers they perform. Or allow, with safety guidelines, the rest of the crew to enjoy their time on board for sunbathing. Never forgetting letting them to take pictures or swimming when at anchor.

Family Charter Experiences

-In half-day or shorter excursions, will serve an appetizer or snack with drinks. Most of the time, the employer does not have a flight attendant on hand to help. Unlike in larger vessels, such as catamarans, schooners, etc., so that he or she will be responsible for serving food and beverages. This will usually happen only sometimes.When the anchor doesn’t affect safety. And passengers should then not start eating or drinking until the boat is docked.

-Refrain from taking a bath with the guests. He or she is not there on vacation.

-Refrain from going shirtless or wearing clothing too revealing. It is something that those who have paid for rent are not interested in seeing.

-Perfectly knows the area. Although it is not a tourist guide, he may comment places that the group would pass trough during the charter. For example, imagine you enjoy sailing in Playa Blanca. You are now near the Castillo del Aguila. It would be great to hear that the castle is a military building dating from 1741, constructed in order to defend the island from the pirates lurking around southern the archipelago.

Discovering land overseas

Often, a simple sailboat trip can mean a lot. It may be the trigger of a burning interest in discovering more about the sailing world . This can happen to anyone. regardless any age or physical condition. Sharing these moments with rookies is one of the greatest satisfactions for all those working in the freight industry.