Charter Notes As the new year begins, you're probably starting to fill in important dates on your brand new 2020 calendar. Wouldn't it be nice to block out a week or two right now for a special sailing charter with a boatload of friends or family members along as crew? Many readers tell us they've got the time, the money and the desire, but their plans get bogged down when they try to put together the remaining pieces of the puzzle. That is, getting solid commitments from potential crew, and getting a consensus on a destination and trip dates. Yeah, we know. In today's world of extended work weeks and often inflexible vacation schedules, planning a six- or eight-person trip can be challenging, to say the least. Here's what we suggest: First, pick, say, three different venues that you and your spouse, sig other or best sailing buddy would like to visit.
MAINE WINDJAMMER ASSOCIATION
WORLD OF CHARTERING
Wherever you charter, enjoying the local cuisine is likely to be a highlight: salmon in the Northwest, tuna in Tahiti and lobster in Maine.
Next, pick two or three sets of dates that would work well for you, and also put you in each proposed location for the primo sailing season. (For example: midsummer in Greece is often hot and windless, but early September promises cooler days and more breeze.) Next, research the actual cost for flights, transfers, boat rental and provisioning for each of your potential venues.
Then set up a special gathering of your first-choice crew — a setting where you can have their undivided attention — and make your pitch. If you're super-organized, you might even want to give them a handout that spells out the details and costs. If you're lucky, some may commit to one venue option or another on the spot — or defer to you to choose. Otherwise, give these potential shipmates a couple of weeks to decide, and if they opt out, give the pitch to your 'B list'. Once your crew is verbally committed, comes the most important part of the whole exercise: getting a deposit check from each and every (adult) crewmember. Take it from us, once they fork out a deposit, they will build their lives around the trip dates. But with no money on the table, even your best friends can leave you stuck with a huge headache and berths to fill at the last minute. — andy
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Catamaran Sailing Lessons and Charters SAN DIEGO, CA • LORETO, MEXICO
To book your charter go to www.sailtmm.com
All the information you need to book your charter can be found on our website www.sailtmm.com
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• January, 2020