Bareboat Chartering Basics: Sail the Caribbean the Practical Way

If like me, sailing warm tropical waters is on your bucket list, I hope this article will encourage you to check this item off the list soon. Beware however, chartering can become addictive. A habit I have yet to break!

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As fresh as it gets. Caught this guy while snorkeling of the boat while anchored in Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau Island in the Grenadines. (Photo/ Marc Robic)
As fresh as it gets. Caught this guy while snorkeling of the boat while anchored in Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau Island in the Grenadines. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

Growing up in Montreal, I dreamed of sailing in the warm waters of the Caribbean. Still, to this day, I am drawn to the Caribbean by the soft white sand beaches, palm trees, warm sunny days, crystal clear blue waters and, of course, beautiful sailboats. Listening to the enchanting songs and melodies of Jimmy Buffett and other tropical rhythms, only served to intensify my resolve to make these dreams come true.

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Marc Robic
Marc caught his love of sailing and all things water from his father from a very young age. He has owned many sailboats in his 40+ years of sailing. An avid do-it-yourselfer and handyman, he builds, modifies, improves and executes all his own repairs. He also enjoys testing, documenting & sharing products and how-to methods with other sailors and boaters. Posting many how to videos on his YouTube channel and Facebook page. He is a member of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron. Currently, he sails his Catalina 270, Aquaholic 3, out of the Ile-Perrot Yacht Club in Montreal, where Marc spent 16 years as Harbour Master. He is also a regular bareboat yacht charterer, having sailed most of the Caribbean islands. In the winter months, Marc regularly hand builds exact scale models of friends’ boats to give them away in the spring.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Peter, if you a capable boat already located on the southern east coast (of the US), that might make sense. But for those leaving from more distant and inland waterways, by the time you’ve prepared & equipped your boat, you must now plan many weeks of traveling. Most likely with your mast down and secured. Lots of motoring and many stops, some for a few days due to weather, etc. My objective with this multiple part article is to demonstrate how one can skip all this and be on-board your own charter boat in hours. Plus avoid exposing your own boat to salt water.