The anxiety of a first charter concentrates itself in the twenty-four hours before departure. The boat is booked, the flights are taken, the crew has arrived — and suddenly the skipper realises that the ICC is in a desk drawer at home, the provisioning has not been planned, and nobody has checked whether the charter company requires a VHF licence. Most of these problems are avoidable with preparation. This checklist covers the weeks before departure, the day of handover, and the first hours aboard, in the order that matters.
Four weeks before: paperwork and planning
Documents to gather:
- Sailing qualification (ICC, RYA certificate, ASA card) — originals, not photocopies. Charter companies inspect the physical document.
- VHF radio licence (SRC — Short Range Certificate). Not all companies check, but many Mediterranean countries require it by law.
- Passport for every crew member (checked for validity — six months beyond the charter end date for some destinations).
- Travel insurance confirmation that covers sailing as an activity. Standard travel insurance often excludes "hazardous sports"; check the small print.
- Charter contract and booking confirmation — printed, not just on your phone. Marina Wi-Fi is unreliable.
- Credit card for the security deposit. The card must be in the lead charterer's name and have sufficient available credit for the full deposit amount (typically EUR 1,500-3,500).
Route planning:
- Obtain a chart or cruising guide for the area. Digital charts (on a tablet with a navigation app) supplement but should not replace the charter company's on-board instruments.
- Draft a rough itinerary: one harbour or anchorage per day, with alternatives in case of weather. Allow for a slow first day while the crew finds its rhythm.
- Check the weather forecast pattern for the period — not for a precise prediction (too early) but for seasonal norms. Know what wind to expect and from which direction.
Two weeks before: provisioning and packing
Provisioning strategy:
- Order pre-provisioning through the charter company if offered. Provide a detailed list: breakfast staples, lunch ingredients, dinner stores for at least three nights, snacks, water, and drinks. Allow EUR 30-50 per person per day.
- If self-provisioning on arrival: identify the nearest supermarket to the charter base (the charter company's briefing notes usually include this). Plan to shop immediately after the handover briefing, before sailing.
- Do not under-provision. Running out of coffee on day two of a week's charter is a morale event.
Packing:
- Soft bags only. Hard suitcases do not fit in yacht lockers and have nowhere to be stored.
- Sailing gloves, sunglasses with a retaining strap, sunscreen (SPF 50, reef-safe where required), a wide-brimmed hat.
- Non-marking shoes with grip soles for the deck. No black soles — they leave marks on fibreglass.
- A light waterproof jacket. Even in the Mediterranean in July, an evening squall is possible.
- Layers for evening: the temperature drops on the water after sunset, and a cockpit dinner at anchor in a light breeze can be surprisingly cool.
- Minimal clothing. You are on a boat. Three pairs of shorts, four T-shirts, one set of evening wear, swimwear. Laundry opportunities are rare.
- A head torch. Essential for moving around the boat at night without waking the crew.
- Seasickness medication (even if you have never been seasick — better to have it and not need it).
Handover day: the critical hours
The charter handover typically begins at mid-afternoon on the first day (Saturday in most Mediterranean bases). It proceeds in three stages:
The paperwork: Present your qualifications, sign the charter contract, pay the security deposit, and confirm the damage waiver. This takes 30-60 minutes.
The boat briefing: A charter company technician walks you through the yacht's systems: engine start and stop procedures, fuel system, water system, heads operation, gas system for the galley, electrical panel, navigation instruments, VHF radio, safety equipment location, dinghy and outboard, anchor windlass. Pay close attention. Take notes or video on your phone. Ask questions now, not at 2am when the bilge pump alarm sounds.
The inventory check: Walk through every locker, check the inventory list, note any existing damage on the handover form. This protects you when the boat is returned. Photograph any scratches, chips, or wear that you find. Be thorough — the charter company will be thorough at the other end.
The first evening and morning
Do not sail on handover day unless you have received the boat unusually early. The temptation to leave the marina immediately is strong, but the first evening is better spent at the charter base: provisioning (if not pre-ordered), stowing gear, familiarising yourself with the boat's layout, and having dinner ashore where you can walk to a restaurant.
The first morning sets the tone for the week. Rise early enough to depart by 09:00-10:00. Run through a departure checklist:
- Engine on, warming up (5 minutes minimum before engaging gear)
- Check engine instruments: oil pressure, water temperature, battery voltage
- Navigation instruments on, GPS fix confirmed
- VHF radio on, tuned to Channel 16
- Fenders rigged on both sides
- All lines identified: bow, stern, springs
- Crew briefed on departure plan: who handles which line, which direction you are leaving
- A final look at the weather: wind speed and direction, any warnings
The first passage should be short — two to three hours maximum. Sail to a nearby anchorage or harbour, practise the anchoring procedure, and have lunch. The crew's confidence will build from there.
The things first-timers forget
- Mooring lines and fenders are your responsibility at town quays. In Mediterranean-style stern-to mooring, you reverse into the quay and tie to shore bollards or a laid mooring line. Practise this before attempting it in a crowded harbour at sunset.
- Water is finite. A yacht's water tank (typically 300-500 litres) must last until the next fill. Navy showers, conservative washing-up, and awareness of consumption are essential.
- Rubbish stays on board until you find a harbour with disposal facilities. Bring bags, compact waste, and never throw anything overboard.
- The dinghy is your car. When anchored, the dinghy is the only way ashore. Learn to start the outboard, row as a backup, and tie the dinghy properly when leaving it at a dock.
- Night sailing is not for first charters. Plan passages that arrive before dark. Getting into an unfamiliar anchorage after sunset, with tired crew and uncertain charts, is where most first-charter problems begin.
