When you arrive at your charter boat, the charter company will probably give you a tour of and tell you everything you need to know about the boat. If they don’t, you should do your own thorough inspection and let the charter company know if you find anything that needs their attention. Take pictures of any existing damage you find and give a list of any damage or defects to the charter company before you leave the marina.
Check out all the navigation equipment to be sure you know how to operate it. Find all of the through-hull fittings and any hoses attached to them. If the boat develops a leak, you want to be able to find these quickly and make a temporary repair. Find the fuel and water inlets. Figure out what switches on the electrical panel are associated with the radios, bilge pumps, etc.
Find and bring out when needed all the safety gear. Be sure you have enough life preservers that fit for everyone. Get the life preserver out that can be thrown to someone who has fallen overboard. As captain, you should think about all the things that could go wrong and what you will do in each case. Decide how your crew will help in these emergencies.
Sailing with a group of friends can be a great experience. In the initial planning stages, be sure you pick crew members that are all compatible. If there is one member of the group that is good with photography, have that person document the trip. When you return your boat at the end of the trip, you should have it cleaned up or they will clean it and deduct the cost from your deposit.
If you have problems with your boat, you can usually contact the charter company by radio. They will send someone to fix, but if it is a minor problem they expect you to fix it. If you can’t fix it, they may charge you to send someone to do the repair.
Being prepared for whatever might happen is the only way to enjoy the cruise. The charter company will expect you to return the boat in the same condition you received it. Fortunately, the internet makes it easier to plan a trip these days. There is a wealth of information on most charter company sites. Check out some of the companies that advertise on this site.
