Chartering a boat for the first time can feel intimidating. What boat should I book? When do I get the best deals? Where should I go? These are just a few of the questions our experienced holiday planners answer every day. In this post, I’ll share my years of sailing and charter expertise to help make your first charter an unforgettable vacation.
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Choosing Between a Sailboat and Catamaran Charter for your boat charter
If you want to spend an unforgettable week on the water, I generally advise first-time charterers to book either a sailboat or a catamaran for their trip.
For larger groups or families with kids, a catamaran is often the better choice. Catamarans offer a stable platform with plenty of space, larger common areas, and depending on the size, en suite bathrooms (also called heads) for each double cabin. Go for something larger than 45ft and you’ll often find crew cabins in the front of the hulls, plus the bonus of a flybridge an elevated external cockpit with extra seating that gives you a fantastic overview of the boat and surroundings during your charter. Keep in mind that due to their size, catamaran bookings come with additional costs: fuel for two engines, higher port and marina fees (they’re twice the width of a sailboat), and for boats 45ft and over, you’ll often need two experienced, licensed people on board for a safe boat charter experience.
Sailboats deliver a more authentic sailing experience and are an excellent option. They’re perfect for active couples, families, or groups of friends who don’t mind a bit more action on deck. Sailboats heel with the wind, move more with the waves, and space on board is tighter. A 40ft sailboat will offer less comfort than a 40ft catamaran—that’s just the reality. However, weekly boat charter rates are lower, additional costs like fuel, cleaning, and port fees are more manageable, and they can offer far more adventure than their catamaran cousins, making them a great choice.
You can compare thousands of sailboats and catamarans in hundreds of locations worldwide on borrowaboat.com to find the ideal boat charter for your trip. For first-time sailors, I recommend calm waters in the Mediterranean like the Ionian Sea or Saronic Gulf in Greece, the Split archipelago or Kornati Islands in Croatia, or the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean perfect destinations for a relaxed boat charter.
Step 1: Finding the Right Boat in the Right Location at the Right Time for your first charter
You’ve got two options for planning. You can browse borrowaboat.com yourself, pick a boat, and request a free personalized quote. Or you can reach out to one of our experienced holiday planners through email, phone, WhatsApp, or our contact form. An agent will respond quickly, ask the right questions, and help you find the perfect boat for your vacation. They’ll send you relevant options and help secure the best offer based on your needs.
The best time to book depends on what boat you’re interested in and where you’re sailing, but a good rule of thumb is to book around nine months in advance. Popular boats and models get snapped up early due to limited availability, and early bird deals typically end seven to eight months before check-in.
For price-sensitive travelers planning summer trips, I recommend booking your boat charter in November. At Borrow A Boat, we’ve decided to offer our exclusive Black Friday deals for the entire month rather than just the last week. This way, our agents aren’t overwhelmed and can provide the same personalized service, while you can secure the best deal without the typical Black Friday stress.
Step 2. Payments, documents and preparation for your charter
Once you’ve secured your boat charter, we’ll ask for a small down payment. Most bookings can be confirmed with our flexible three-installment payment plan: 15%, then 35%, then 50%. If that’s not available, we offer 50% down and 50% approximately 30–45 days before check-in. We’ll send email reminders whenever a payment is due.
Every multi-day boat charter requires a crew list. We’ll provide a template where you’ll add all members of your party and their details. If you’re captaining yourself and hold the necessary license, we’ll need a scan of that as well. The crew list and license get submitted to the charter operator, who then has them approved at the local harbour office.
Don’t forget to think about what to pack for your boat trip. We have a complete packing list available in our help center, and our holiday planners can advise you on what to bring to make your boat charter as smooth as possible.
Step 3. Arriving at the marina and check-in procedure
A week before your boat charter check-in, we will send you a detailed email containing all relevant information needed for a successful handover. Independent of the agreed check-in time, we advise you to visit the office at the harbour or marina as soon as you arrive to let them know you are ready for check-in. At the office, you will sign the rental agreement, pay the security deposit, and receive the boat’s papers. If you travel in a group, we recommend having part of the group handle groceries for the week while the assigned captain and contract signee take care of the administrative steps at the office.
Part of the check-in is the boat handover. The base manager will come aboard and show you around the vessel. You will do a detailed check of all technical equipment, safety equipment, take inventory, and get familiar with all the boat’s functions. If the lack of wind allows, we advise you to roll out the sails and inspect them before starting your boat charter. If the wind in the marina is too strong, then one of the first tasks after leaving the marina should be to open the sails, inspect them, and take photos as proof of their condition for your boat charter.
Other areas to pay attention to during check-in include the galley: check the gas stove, fridge, and water; the dinghy and outboard: check for air leaks, have the engine turned on for a few seconds, and make sure there is enough fuel; the chart plotter: confirm GPS, wind, and depth meter are functional; and safety equipment: ensure there are life vests and all required safety items for every crew member on your boat charter.
Ready for departure? It’s the captain’s responsibility to make the crew familiar with safety equipment and emergency procedures before beginning. After the safety briefing, everyone on board should know what to do in an emergency and where to find the life vests for a safe boat charter experience.
Step 4. Spending an amazing time at sea
Now it’s time to relax and enjoy your boat charter. Enjoy the freedom of being at sea, surrounded by marine life, nature, and good vibes throughout your adventure.
After breakfast each day during your boat charter, my crew and I typically discuss the plan: we check the updated weather forecast and decide together where we’ll spend the day and what time we should find an anchorage or marina berth for the night. Remember, the captain has the final word. If they don’t feel comfortable staying somewhere at anchor overnight due to wind and weather, that decision shouldn’t be questioned.
What if bad weather approaches during your boat charter? We all hope for a week of perfect sunshine, but conditions at sea can change within minutes, sometimes unexpectedly. Check the weather report multiple times daily. If conditions indicate you should head to a marina or harbor, get going sooner rather than later. Why? Every sailor out there will have the same idea, and marinas fill up fast. You don’t want to arrive only to be turned away due to lack of space during your boat charter.
Use the time wisely—get there early and spend the hours on land discovering beautiful coastal towns. You can also refill water tanks and recharge batteries if the infrastructure allows, which is always useful during a boat charter. Once the weather clears, continue your sailing adventure to the next hidden cove or bay.
Step 5. Return to base and check-out
If you’ve booked a multi-day or weekly boat charter with a morning check-out, you’ll need to return to base the night before. Marina personnel will help you find your berth on what’s often a tightly packed dock. Once the boat is secured, the check-out procedure begins. A diver will inspect the boat’s hull for damage, and if everything is in order, the boat charter company will return your security deposit. You can spend another night on board and leave the next morning.
The boat charter company can help arrange a transfer back to the city or nearest airport, and they’ll usually let you store luggage with them if your flight isn’t until evening and you want to explore the area before heading out.
Secure a Stress-Free Boat Charter with Borrow A Boat
Booking your boat charter with Borrow A Boat ensures a smooth and stress-free experience from start to finish. Our platform connects you with thousands of sailboats and catamarans worldwide, provides personalized support from experienced holiday planners, and offers competitive pricing with secure payments. Whether it’s your first boat charter or your tenth, Borrow A Boat makes every sailing adventure unforgettable.