A special category of motorsailers, gulets are built like traditional Turkish trading ships, ranging in size from 14 to 35 metres (up to 20 berths). A popular choice for tourist charters.
TYPES OF CHARTER
Bareboat Charter
Set sail independently and experience the freedom of a bareboat charter in the Caribbean. Anchor up wherever you please and bask in your own little corner of paradise. You’ll experience a balance of easy line-of-sight sailing and exhilarating open water passages in your monohull or catamaran.
You can only opt for a bareboat charter if have enough sailing experience and you possess the necessary licences. If you go with this option, remember that you take on the responsibility for overall safety on board. In dangerous situations at sea, everyone must know who the captain is and who to obey without question (the democratic approach is only harmful in these situations). Understand that if you are the captain of your crew, you have undertaken a great responsibility.
While there is only one captain, all crew members share responsibility for the boat and general well being. It’s not possible for one person to navigate the boat by themselves, make sure she is running properly, set itineraries, cook, clean and still have time to rest and have fun (you are on holiday after all!). Everybody on board must take on some responsibilities, including keeping the boat clean and tidy as well as behaving in accordance with good maritime manners.
To charter a yacht without a professional skipper, you must have the relevant licences, including a valid skipper licence and a VHF radio licence. You will be required to have the original permits with you on board, as well as a valid crew list, verified by the Port Authority. If any changes are made to this list during your charter, you are obliged to notify the nearest Port Authority immediately.
Skippered Charter
If you lack the yachting experience or necessary licences – or if you just want to have a relaxing holiday and not have to worry about anything – then you should hire a skipper. Take in the breath-taking sights of the Caribbean at your own pace.
Having a professional skipper on board can make your voyage much more enjoyable. Don’t hesitate to rely on a professional if you don’t have enough sailing experience or have some doubts about your skills. A skipper will drive the boat and take care of her, as well giving you sailing advice, so you can take the opportunity to brush up on your skills. He will be able to answer most questions and help you find your way in an unfamiliar area.
With smaller boats you can choose to have a licensed skipper for the entire length of your trip, or just during the day. Larger yachts can only be chartered with a skipper or, depending on the size, power and price, a full crew. For larger parties, you may also want to hire a hostess, who will cook and keep the boat clean, and often give useful advice and suggestions. Normally there is a separate cabin for crew, but if not then remember to save space for a skipper. As well as sleeping space, you will usually be responsible for the crew’s food, so bear that in mind when buying groceries!
Crewed Charter
If you charter one of the bigger yachts (longer than 50 feet), you will probably get at least two crew members with her, while luxury yachts are always chartered with a full crew. So while they do all the hard work, you can kick back and relax!
On these larger yachts, there is plenty of privacy, as crew quarters are separate from the guest area. Crews consist of captain, sailor, hostess and chef, and in some cases, a guard. The captain is responsible for navigating the yacht as well as setting the itinerary (as agreed with you); the sailor services the boat, keeping her in good condition, helping the captain, assisting with docking, and other minor maintenance tasks; the hostess keeps the interior of the boat clean and tidy; and the chef prepares meals, making sure the boat is supplied with food and drinks.
