Sea-saavy vacationers find sailing and yachting a great way to visit the Caribbean

The Caribbean region is known worldwide for its near-perfect sailing conditions--the water is always warm and there are plenty of beautiful islands to visit. Many people travel via yacht each year to the Caribbean to take part in annual races or simply enjoy the winter sailing season.

Caribbean waters are steeped in legend: This area is the famed Spanish Main, and has been home to more than its fair share of pirates. From Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh to John Paul Jones and Henry Morgan, there are many treasure-seeking seafarers who long ago cut a swath through the island waters.

Before you set sail, be aware of safety issues. Coral reefs grow near some islands and the Trade Winds may be unfavorable.

Also consider these things when setting your ocean course:

• The strongest currents and largest waves are most often on the northeastern sides of the islands, at the Atlantic Ocean. The waters of the Caribbean Sea are generally much calmer and make easier sailing.

• The best time of the year to sail in the Caribbean is from January through March, although this is near the Caribbean's peak tourist season so prices will be higher on the islands.

• The summer rains and hurricane season, July through November, do not always make for easy sailing.

• If you're inexperienced or a first time sailor your best experiences will likely be in the Virgin Islands or the Bahamas. These islands are near the U.S. mainland and can be an early stop on your journey to the Caribbean.

• Which islands you choose to visit is, as always, a consideration.

Choosing a Charter

Yachts are usually chartered from within or near the Caribbean on a weekly basis. Your yacht rental options are "bareboat," "skippered bareboat," or a "crewed charter."

If you're an experienced sailor, you may decide to charter a bareboat, a rental boat with all the equipment needed to travel the Caribbean, but with no crew. If you wish to rent bareboat, you will need to prove your qualifications and you may be given a tutorial of the Caribbean area including reefs and safe harbors.

Based on your knowledge and experience, the charter company may insist that you take a skipper for at least the first couple of days of your journey. However, if the company insists you travel with a skipper it does not mean they will be paying for his services. If you're not quite ready to set sail on your own, go with a skippered bareboat. A skipper lends his sailing knowledge and expertise to your Caribbean journey, and is paid by the day.

Crewed charter yachts come with a skipper and full crew including a cook. On a crewed charter, remember this: the captain is the one who calls the shots. You will decide on the itinerary but, if weather or any other obstacle threatens this itinerary, the captain will alter the route for safety purposes.

On most charters you may choose between having the food provided by the charter company for an additional fee or buying it yourself before you set sail. Buying your own food may be a difficult task if you are not departing from a major island. Do remember that you will be responsible for feeding everyone onboard, including the skipper and/or crew.

Charter Companies

Charter companies in the Caribbean come in all sizes. If it is your first charter it is recommended that you choose a larger company because are fewer guarantees with the smaller companies. For example, if the boat you had requested becomes unavailable, smaller companies may not have other boats for replacement. On the other hand, larger companies will most likely give you a similar or larger boat in that situation at no extra cost. Many of the better smaller companies, however, purposefully stay small in order to provide higher customer service.

There are two "tiers" of charter companies that are not quality or service designations. In the first tier companies use the newest boats, often with the most extras. Boats older than four or five years are no longer used by first tier companies. First tier boats may include the auto pilot function, GPS systems, stereos, and cell phones; check with the specific charter company for details. Second tier companies usually use older boats from the fleets of first tier companies. These second tier boats come with fewer extras and a lower price tag.

The most popular large yacht charter companies currently serving the Caribbean region are The Moorings and Sunsail.

Charter Brokers

If you select a crewed charter, you'll want to make sure you're compatible with the crew. The best way to find the right crew for you is through a broker. Yacht brokers act similarly to travel agents, and they can often provide quotes from several different chartering companies. The boat owner pays for the services of the brokers, so you can utilize their help at no cost. Brokers can also help you find a bareboat charter.

There are two main charter broker trade organizations: the American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA) and Charter Yacht Broker's Association (CYBA). Members of the AYCA and/or the CYBA include the following outfits:

In the Caribbean:

In Florida:

Choosing a Yacht

Budgeting for a seaborne vacation to the Caribbean can be an important endeavor. There are plenty of items to consider in your budget, but the first you'll want to think about is the type of ship. This is not only a budget consideration, but a comfort consideration as well. After you've chosen a ship, think about the extras you'd like to have on your journey.

Larger ships will cost more for a charter. However, with more people onboard you'll need to choose a larger yacht - though this can also mean more people with whom you can split the cost. The most popular bareboat size is the three-cabin, two-bath monohull, which can be from 36 to 50 feet long. Consider the skill level of yourself and those you'll travel with before choosing the largest bareboat.

Don't forget your comfort when choosing a boat. The suggestion is that travelers choose a boat with one more cabin than they expect to use to help give travelers added comfort. Travelers with children may especially want to consider that monohull boats are designed with thin, plywood walls that have a tendency to allow most sounds, including conversations, right through. This is not the suggested style for travelers looking for privacy.

Families, first time sailors, those prone to seasickness, and travelers nervous about longer boat rides may want to consider a catamaran instead. Very different from monohulls, catamarans experience much less roll in port and are considered to have much more comfortable cabins. However, well-traveled sailors who want the to experience the high seas might find sailing in a catamaran to be a bit lacking.

Travelers often feel that there are a few pieces of equipment they don't want to go without on their journey to the Caribbean. Whether it's a power windlass to help you anchor, a canvas top for sun protection in the cockpit, or a kayak, windsurf, or snorkeling equipment, you'll need to decide what you'd like and ask about the price of it as an addition if it isn't included in the cost of your charter. GPS and CD players are electronic extras that many travelers also find extremely important. Don't forget to ask the company what you have as well as the cost of adding anything you'd like.

Costs and Paperwork

Crewed yachts cost more than bareboats, and the crew is tipped. Although more expensive, crewed charters can be worth the expenses involved. They often have more extras, such as equipment for scuba diving or kayaking, and they tend to be more spacious than bareboats. These also come with a chef who will prepare all onboard meals. Food can be costly if provided by the charter company; buying the food yourself can save money, but bringing food into the Caribbean through customs can be time consuming and buying foods on the islands can be difficult. Fresh fruit and vegetables have to be purchased on the island.

On a skippered bareboat, skippers have a fee of around $80(USD) to $120(USD) per day; ask the individual skipper about his rates. If you're on a crewed charter, the skipper and crew together should be tipped 10% to 15% of the charter's total cost. Tips make up approximately 30% to 50% of a crew's income, so don't forget to factor this into your budget.

Chartering a yacht will cost you more during the high season than during the off-season. However, chartering a bareboat yacht can cost less than a stay at a mid-level resort in the Caribbean, particularly if two or more couples are traveling together. You should also account for airfare if you're picking up a yacht on the islands. Add customs duties and possible luggage fees into your charter budget.

One final tip: Be sure to read the fine print on anything you sign. There may be deposit and insurance fees added to your charter cost. It is best to put any charges on a credit card in case of mistakes or problems. You may also want to look into the company's cancellation policy, though in general most charters cannot be refunded within 60 days of the departure date.

Those interested in sailing to and around the Caribbean can find their perfect choice in charter yachts available throughout the region.

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