Peace and quiet for relaxing cruises
When we choose to go sailing in the winter, in the Caribbean or elsewhere, it is most often to disconnect and relax. We usually go on a cruise with family or friends, on boats sometimes bigger than those we are used to sail. The waters are generally unfamiliar. So many reasons to rely on the services of a skipper.
Jean, skipper registered on the Capt'n Boat platform explains: "It is important to leave with a professional skipper when you want to enjoy yourself with family or friends. Why is that? Because in fact, the skipper is responsible for everything: he is the one who looks after the people, the safety and the equipment; he is the one who manages the portâeuros¦ He is a professional who is able to make decisions, to repair 80% of the breakdowns that could occur on the boat. A professional skipper has the marine spirit, the sense of the sea. He knows the navigation and sometimes even the area. He has recommendations for activities, restaurantsâeuros¦ And above all, he takes care of all the preparation beforehand: he looks at the charts, the weather, checks that everything is working well on board, that there is a full tank of fuel and everything else needed on board; and once he has taken all the necessary information to be sure of himself when sailing, he leaves. The whole preparation part is a guarantee of safety when you are dealing with a serious skipper."
The skipper can plan in advance the supplies, the transfer, the navigationâeuros¦
Prepare your navigation and stopover program
By selecting a skipper early enough, the preparation of the trip will be even better. A real exchange can be set up. The client will be able to discuss the navigation plan with the skipper beforehand, and the stopover program can be anticipated, for example by reserving activities or services in the port or at the anchorage. In a period of strong affluence during the high season, one will be able to make the most of the islands and do the maximum of things, without suffering from the population peak. The professional skipper will be the best ally for a good anticipation.
Moreover, the use of a professional will open the field of possible destinations, as some rental companies restrict the authorized areas to amateur clients. Thus, delicate places, with particular navigation difficulties, such as the Grand Cul de Sac marin in Guadeloupe or other rocky and coral areas are excluded by some boat rental contracts in the absence of a professional skipper.
Make sure you have the right crew
Hiring a skipper, and the right one, cannot be improvised! To be sure to have the right sailor or crew member, cook or hostess, it is preferable to start early, confirms Capt'n Boat, whose job is to provide the yachtsman with the solution to hire a sailor while respecting all regulations. "Having a sailor at the last minute, a few days before Christmas, who is also comfortable with grandchildren, to go on a cruise to the Grenadines, becomes complicated. By anticipating as much as possible, from the beginning of autumn, we can choose a skipper who will perfectly meet the requirements of the clients and who is already on site. This will allow you to save money by not having to pay for the skipper's travel expenses and to have an increase in the amount of the service. It also allows us to have a skipper who knows the sailing area, meets the needs and participates in a cruise with confidence."
For those who are lucky enough to go to the Caribbean, booking in October or November will allow you to save money and leave with peace of mind!
