Sailboat Rental Info Please

[LarryP]

My daughter and son-in-law have a lifelong dream of traveling by sailboat when they retire; he has sailed up to 28', but not recently. They have a 25th anniversary coming up, and I'm toying with the idea of springing for a week in Key West with a sailboat rental thrown in, so they can putter around the Keys and see if their dream is really as great as they think. I know nothing about sailing or renting a sailboat; who can educate me a little bit on the idea? Can live-aboard sailboats be rented in the Keys? What kind of licenses or training certificates are required? In ballpark terms, what would a week's rental cost? Might I find a rental package where they get a day or two of refresher orientation, then are allowed to take off on their own?

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

In your public library, look for a copy of Cruising World. In the classifieds at the back there are generally listings for houses to rent that have a sailboat included for afternoon sailing. Seems like a way to jump back in. Or Moorings has jsut opened a charter operation in the Chesapeake Bay out of Annapolis.

[belizesailor]

Navigating around the keys can get a bit complicated. My suggestion is that you charter (AKA rent) a boat with a captain. This also eliminates the need for concerns about licensing or experience. He can help navigate you around safetly and help your son-in-law brush up on his skills. Ideally a captain who is also a certified instructor (not all captains are necessarily good instructors).

I have not chartered in the Keys, so maybe someone who knows a local company can chime in?