by DimitriL at www.telltales.info
The issue of hiring a
skipper for a charter yacht is something that is often passed by, rather lightly. Bareboat looks cheaper, maybe you have
the qualifications required by law so you choose bareboat,
or, you simply don't know how to sail, so you hire a skipper. The
main question though, is if you really are able to safely sail the boat in an
unknown environment and if you are willing to maybe wreck your nerves
and your vacation playing skipper for friends and family.
The issue of hiring a
skipper for a charter yacht is something that is often passed by, rather lightly. Bareboat looks cheaper, maybe you have
the qualifications required by law so you choose bareboat,
or, you simply don't know how to sail, so you hire a skipper. The
main question though, is if you really are able to safely sail the boat in an
unknown environment and if you are willing to maybe wreck your nerves
and your vacation playing skipper for friends and family.
The typical cost of hiring a
skipper in Greece is around 1000 Euros a week and if you know how to
do it, it can be an excellent investment.
Why a skipper?
Part of the charm of Greek
island harbours is that they don't look like super duper organized
marinas, they still look "original". This is the good news.
The bad news is that mooring a yacht in most of them is quite a task.
There are no mooring buoys, anchors and chains are all over the place on the
bottom, not enough cleats and bollards on the dock, swell coming in
when ferries enter, people claiming the place is occupied etc etc. A
good skipper has no particular problems with any of these.
Been there done it.
Experienced skippers
know all the hidden coves plus everybody in the port. Where to eat,
where to shop, where to go to have fun. They will not let anybody
take advantage of your money and actually they will make you back,
part of what you pay them, just like that. Some of them they can do
amazing things for you. I know one personally, who will moor the boat
in a cove in a small island and take you hiking uphill to meet the
local shepherd, who can even prepare a little lamb for you on the
spot! I can tell you it's quite amazing.
Lastly it's about
safety and insurance. A bareboat normally pays a security deposit in
escrow, in case there is damage. Insurance normally covers the boat
for damages over 1500 Euros. So usually, if you break something or
loose something you have to pay for it from your deposit. A skipper
that is responsible for the boat will protect you from this kind of
expenses, plus you're all surely much safer with him/her because of
the local knowledge.
Don't just get one,
CHOOSE one
Being with a stranger
on board can be a great experience but can also be a disappointment.
You actually have to do something towards choosing a skipper and not
just rely on the reassuring words of the charter company. I know many
pro skippers and they are very different personalities. You have to
talk with your crew/family and list your priorities. Some people want
a skipper with a huge socializing personality, some want one that is
almost invisible.
I know a skipper that
sets his clock every 2 hours in the night to get on the deck and
check the mooring. Safety with this guy is paramount, but he will
sometimes refuse to bring you in this little cove you saw or sail a
bit closer to land because he is only 99.9% sure that this is safe.
He is a gentleman and some nights he will decline your invitation to
come and dine with you, even if you insist, because that's the way it
is.
Another skipper I know
is one of the most sociable persons I have seen in my life. He knows
EVERYBODY in the ports and everybody knows him. He will be part of
your group, take you out to all kinds of local happenings, dance and
joke with you all day. He will try to take you in the little cove you
so much liked and will only back off if he thinks the danger is
imminent. His sailing will be more casual.
It's perfectly safe to
be with any of the two guys. The big question is with which of the
two you would have a great sailing vacation. Discuss your wishes with
the charter company. Ask them to describe the skipper for you, ask
them to send a photo and maybe you could exchange a couple of emails
with him. It's your vacation, make it a good one.
A final word: a skipper
is a specialist, but he is not Superman. You will help him with the
sailing, especially when doing a docking manoeuvre in a harbour and
you will do this seriously, observing what he says. When he explains
the safety rules on the boat you will listen to him and try to comply
as best as you can. He is doing all this for you.
©2012 www.telltales.info
©2012 www.telltales.info
