Bare Boat Yacht Charter FAQ 

What happens if severe weather is forecast?
In the event of severe weather being forecast for the duration of the proposed charter period, we reserve the right to reschedule the charter. We will reschedule the charter for within three months of the original booking. No refunds will be given should severe weather develop during the charter period. No refund will be given should the rescheduled charter take place in a less expensive charter period. We reserve the right to limit the cruising area should severe weather be forecast.

What are the standard charter timings?

• Weekend Charter – 1600 on Friday through to 1700 on Sunday following
• Week Charter – 1200 Monday through to 1700 on Sunday following or 1600 Friday through to 1100 Friday following
• Mid-Week Charter – 1200 Monday through to 1100 Friday following
• One, two or three days can be added to weekend charters for long or extra-long weekends during the low season. Early boarding is possible subject to availability.

Am I qualified to charter?
There is no doubt that the UK is a more demanding sailing venue than say the Mediterranean. We therefore in the first instance require experience of skippering a yacht plus a tidal RYA or equivalent. We do of course look at cases where the above is not met but is offset by experience. We also reserve the right to withdraw the charter if we do not feel you are capable of piloting a yacht.

What happens when we arrive for a charter?
We will meet you on the yacht at King Point Marina or Queen Anne’s Battery and finalise any paperwork. We then proceed with the official and mandatory boat handover which will include a safety briefing, showing you her features, explaining her systems and answering any questions. At this point we usually have a quick chat through your proposed passage plans and destinations. Finally, you will be asked to sign the charter agreement.

What happens when we return from our charter?
At the end of your charter the vessel must be refuelled, clean and tidy. Once the boat is ready and you have removed your personal gear we will pop down inspect the boat. If the boat is damaged or untidy we reserve the right to charge you a fair value from your deposit to put things right.

Where are the yachts based?
Our yachts are based in Plymouth, Devon. Depending on your charter, you will find your yacht in King Point Marina or Queen Anne’s Battery.

What about Car Parking?
King Point Marina: You are welcome to access the car park next to the marina to drop off your luggage, but will then need to relocate your car to the Western Approach Car Park (an 11-minute walk from the marina).
Queen Anne’s Battery: Parking is available at the marina. Pay the marina direct on departure.

What about diesel and gas?
Your boat will be fully fuelled when you pick her up and must be refuelled before you hand her back to us. Diesel can be purchased at Mayflower Marina, Queen Anne’s Battery or Yacht Haven. If you do not, for whatever reason, refuel the boat we will charge £50 plus fuel cost.
Your boat will have an ‘in use’ bottle of gas and a full sealed spare when you collect her. We do not charge extra for gas unless you use more than is on the yacht in which case you will need to purchase a refill.

What equipment is on the boats?
All our yachts are coded to MGA280 standards which means we have to supply the yachts with qualifying safety gear. A non-exhaustive list is below plus some other essentials:

• Cooking Utensils
• Crockery and Cutlery
• Cleaning Materials
• MOB Gear
• Lifejackets and Harness Lines
• Liferaft and Grab Bag
• Fenders and Warps
• Dinghy, Pump and Oars
• Flare Pack
• Anchor, Chain and Warp
• First Aid Kits
• Navigation Instruments
• GPS, Charts and Pilot Books
• Bosun’s Chair
• Fog Horn
• Fixed and Handheld VHF Radios
• Hand-Bearing Compass
• Echo Sounder and Log
• Bilge Pumps
• Compass Deviation Card
• Fire Extinguishers

Can I hire waterproof sailing gear?
Currently we don’t supply any wet weather / sailing gear. This is kept under review should we feel there is demand.

What gear do I need to bring?

• Sensible deck shoes or shoes with non-marking soles
• Waterproofs and sailing boots
• Hat and gloves
• Sleeping bags and pillows, unless you would like us to supply bedding
• Towels (we can supply if required)
• Clothes, toiletries and sun-protection
• All packed in a soft holdall or collapsible bag

What documentation do I need to bring?
By the time you are due to start your charter, we will have obtained digital scans of all the relevant documentation. If not, we will need to see some personal photo ID in the form of a driving license or passport and sailing certificates for the skipper and mate (if appropriate).

What is included in the charter fee and what extras are available?
The charter fee covers the complete yacht for the period of the charter – we do not charge extra for engine hours, mileage, gas, foreign destinations, water or electricity (at the marina). Optional extras available are an outboard engine for the tender, fuel, bedding, towels, skippers or training.

Do I have to pay mooring fees?
You may use your yacht’s home berth without charge but all other mooring costs away from your home berth are payable by you the charterer.

Who must Devon Sailing Experiences hand the yacht over to?
The law (and good sense) require us to officially hand the yacht over to the nominated charter skipper who in turn must hold appropriate qualifications or show relevant yachting experience.

What security deposit is payable and when does it get returned?
We require a £1,000 – £1,500 security deposit which must be received before the commencement of the charter. This can be paid directly into Devon Sailing Experiences’ bank account or paid by pre-authorisation with a card. There is a £10 admin fee for card pre-authorisation. Under normal circumstances, security deposit refunds are processed within 3 days of charter completion.

Can I hire an outboard engine?
Yes, there is an outboard engine available for each yacht as an optional extra.  Let us know when you are booking your charter and we will put it aboard before you arrive.