Small, Affordable Charters

[cwc]

Hi, I am a land-locked newbie that is looking to build some cruising experience. I have taken the ASA Basic Keelboat and Coastal Cruising courses on a local lake, and took a trip to Long Beach to do the ASA Bareboat Chartering class. I'm also currently working on the ASA Coastal Navigation home study course from Maryland School of Sailing.

So...I've now got a hand-full of ASA certifications and classes, but no real experience outside of those classes. I plan to do some more lake sailing this summer on a 22-foot boat (nothing bigger available). I'd like to get some actual experience in coastal cruising, and my plan is to take a week long vacation once or twice a year to charter a boat.

I'm looking for advice on where I can find an affordable place to charter. Most of the charter companies I see online seem to cater more to the luxury cats and 40'+ monohulls. I'm looking for a monohull, but I don't need a 40'+ boat for just my girlfriend and I. Where can I find a cheaper, but safe, charter boat that is in the 30'-35' range?

Thanks for any replies, and I'm open to any suggestions you guys have.

[vtsailguy]

We chartered with a very small, affordable, outfit in the USVI - Fairwind Charters

[denverd0n]

There are a couple of places on the west coast of Florida that have smaller monohulls for charter.

Florida Sailing - Florida Sailing School - Florida Sailboat Charter - Team Building, Florida Sailing, Florida Yacht, Bareboat Sailing, Florida Sailing Vacation, Florida, Learn to Sail Florida, Bareboat Charters Florida, Team Building, Sunset Cruises,

Yacht Charters Florida Trawler Charters - Sailboat Powerboat Bareboat, Grand Banks, Krogen, and Mainship Yacht Charters

[bateaubonsai1]

Navtours comes to mind, a French Canadian company, based out of Montréal. They have 24 + boats on the fleet including 36 footer. They operate out of Plattsburgh, NY, Nassau and Georgetown (Bahamas). May be they have something that would suit your needs.

[Greenhand]

In the US, you might want to look for sailing clubs. Your membership, or at least a significant percentage, can usually accumulate for up to a year to go towards the actual cost of chartering. In addition, many clubs have reciprocal benefits with clubs in other locations, so you are not limited to sailing out of the same port every single time.

[cwc]

Originally Posted by Greenhand

In the US, you might want to look for sailing clubs.

This sounds interesting. I googled some info on sailing clubs, and most of what I found seemed racing centered. Are there clubs that are more cruising oriented? Can anyone suggest a club that would meet my needs?

[Greenhand]

Originally Posted by cwc

This sounds interesting. I googled some info on sailing clubs, and most of what I found seemed racing centered. Are there clubs that are more cruising oriented? Can anyone suggest a club that would meet my needs?

What area are you interested in?

Here is one in the middle: Texas Sailing

One on the West Coast: San Diego Sailboat Fleet | Harbor Yacht Clubs

East Coast: Cruising Sailboats for the Chesapeake Bay

And this one all over the place, but not always with sailboats: Freedom Boat Club | Private Membership Boating Club

[SailBeat]

Have a look here we have thousands of <40ft mono hulls in loads of locations available to charter:SAILBEAT - Yacht Listings