Perhaps it might be worthwhile for me to actually go back a few steps and explain a little about chartering in general, before you read about the APA information that I have listed below. Chartering is possible for everyone, yep, everyone. You might just want to gather together a few buddies and just have a cool time out sailing on a yacht that you can't afford and in a place that you have never been before. Sound scary, exciting, ludicrous? If you don't have yachting experience, there are still plenty of alternatives - a bareboat yacht with captain (either sail or motor), a fully-crewed fleet style yacht and yachts with their permanent crews.
Let's start with bareboating .... this is where you go to a charter base and jump on a yacht that has been fully prepared for your arrival - well ... cleaned, fueled up, water tanks full, sails checked and all equipment in running order (plan A). Sort of like renting a car really. Then you and your intrepid buddies and buddyesses, get to go out and do the shopping and try and store it all on board. This will take far longer than you think and most bases will give you the option to provision the yacht for you - my advice ... take the option! It gives you the chance to get our sailing early and you will need to stock up on fresh goodies in a couple of days anyway. Sunsail and The Moorings are the most well known companies that operate bases worldwide. However, there are plenty of local companies in Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Thailand, Corsica and Italy and generally anywhere that is a good place to sail.
You then set off and have a great time learning the area, the idiosyncracies of local authorities, all those little habits about your friends that you never realised before and lots more, over the week or 10 days that your temporary new possession is in your hands. Enjoy, enjoy and I will be back soon to fill you in on some of the other options ....
FYI, your "APA information" link is broken; it's got an extra "http" in front.
Also, I just noticed that the sidebar doesn't have an "Archives" section; it seems the only way to find old posts is by category, or by repeatedly clicking the "previous post" links at the top of a post.... Am I missing something?
Posted by: Brooks Moses | Tuesday, March 28, 2006 at 22:26
Hi Brooks ... virgin blogger ... gotta start somewhere!! Thanks for the info and Sigmeister is working on the archives ... Sussie
Posted by: ozsussie | Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at 10:07
Good post I especially agree with you that chartering can be for everyone since you don't own the yacht and don’t have to worry about the upkeep and maintenance.
Posted by: David | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 03:05