13 April 2014
Sailing is a leisure pastime for most of us, so why make it a chore? Charter a crewed yacht then sit back and relax. By Frances and Michael Howorth
Professional staff can make all the difference. Take a qualified tour guide around a city and you learn so much more, ask a concierge at the hotel for restaurant recommendations and chances are you will enjoy the meal.
It is the same when sailing! Why bother with skippering your own self-drive hire boat when you can get one with crew! The advantages are many, simple to see and far outweigh the shortcomings. The Captain of your yacht becomes your chauffer and concierge and in many cases, even your tour guide. The Chief Stewardess is the yachts hotel manager who takes care of everything from soft drinks and crisps to champagne and caviar. The Chef shops and cooks to your personal tastes.
Professionally crewed yachts that cruise the waters of the Caribbean come in many guises and sizes. The smallest are twin hulled, wide beamed catamarans that boast a handsome acreage of open deck space. Typically some 20 metres long, they carry 8 guests who are served by a crew of 3.
If this is the base level for a crewed charter yacht, then remember it is also usually the starting point for crew beginning their career. Young and enthusiastic they often lack the finer style of service and the size of yacht lends its self to a more relaxed atmosphere where silver service at meal times, is replaced with plated family styled meals fresh from the galley. This type of yacht and her crew are available for hire from bases located in most of the eastern Caribbean islands from the BVI down to Grenada.
Motor yachts are mostly mono hulled vessels and when chartering, typically range in length from 30 to 60 metres. Almost all carry up to 12 guests with smaller yachts typically having a crew of six to look after guests.
It is not uncommon for a 60 metre super yacht to carry a crew of 20 plus and that can mean some are qualified as instructors in water sports and diving while others are therapists able to offer spa and beauty salon treatments.
Large motor yachts tend to homeport in Antigua and Sint Maarten but can be booked for a charter starting at and finishing in any of the major islands. Charter motor yachts that reach speeds of up to 20 knots are able to make that dash from North to South leaving English Harbour in Antigua and motoring down to St Georges in Grenada, but be warned, high speed craft can guzzle gas and fuel is seldom included in the basic charter rate.
More sedately speeded craft make inter island hops at around 10 knots meaning most trips between islands are done over night. How refreshing it is to go to bed as your yacht leaves harbour and awaken as she enters port in another country!
See what we mean about staff? If the harbours of St Barts and St Lucia are too glitzy and the off the beaten track islands have more attraction, consider chartering a discovery yacht. These chunky looking yachts lack the subtly sleek lines of the all-white, three decked wedding cake yachts but, because of their design and capabilities, are able to shun marinas and opt instead for the open anchorages making calls at St Kitts, Saba, St Eustacia and Monserrat not only possible, but downright exciting.
Sailing & yac hting Sailing in a super yacht with crew, cruising is likely to offer the best holiday ever. Settled into a comfortable, attractively appointed space, relaxed and away from the cares and demands of the world, absolutely nothing can compare to this amazing form of relaxation.
Sitting on deck travelling along, taking in the beauty, sights and sounds, there wafts from the galley; a delicious aroma. The chef is busy preparing a meal. Soon it will be lunch or dinnertime!
Those who charter with crew to look after them get to sleep, eat and relax with mealtimes being the highlight of the day. When selecting a yacht look for chefs who bring local flavours on board and present them as you would find in a Michelin star restaurant.
Chartering need not always be so laid back and lazy. With warm water, free of most marine dangers, the clear blue Caribbean can be an inviting medium to put the yacht’s water toys to good use.
Jet Skis are banned in the British Virgin Islands and their use restricted in other islands so, if high speed water bike rides are your bag, it is best to check the rules out before you book.
Generally speaking the larger the yacht, the more toys it carries and that means some carry a veritable arsenal to play with. Wind surfers, kayaks and the latest craze to hit the Caribbean, the paddle board are all to be found on board larger yachts.
Those who prefer life under rather than on top of the surface will be pleased to know that many yachts carry under water scooters and some even carry their own submarines.
British flagged yachts require high standards when it comes to crew qualifications and most professional crew take their job seriously. They will help you join in with all the exciting stuff but it is nice to know that the professional crew person is watching your back while you are having fun.
