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Bareboat Yacht Charter or Flotilla – The Pros and Cons

Yacht Charter

Bareboat Yacht Charter or Flotilla – The Pros and Cons, Choose on What its best suitable for your needs and Budget

Yacht charter is all about freedom. Freedom to go anywhere you please, freedom to explore and discover new places and freedom to escape the crowds.

There are many who view the flotilla concept as something to be avoided, a concept something like  a holiday camp afloat, where you  retire to your ‘floating chalet’ after a day of ‘Hi de Hi’ type activities and sailing in a line astern of the lead yacht, all at much higher prices than bareboat yacht charter.

The reality is very different with flotilla packages, usually inclusive of flights, transfer and various extras like fuel and cleaning,  presenting exceptional value whilst also taking the hassle out of a sailing holiday with help on hand when you need it.

Seafarer’s flotilla holidays are certainly far removed from the above stereotype with charterers being free to do as they please each day as well as to leave the flotilla and explore independently at any time if they chose to.

Most will rendez-vous with the flotilla each evening and take advantage of the services that the lead crew provide, whilst many also enjoy the social aspect of meeting other minded crews for a drink and a meal. This can be especially important for families who can be sure that their children will make new friends, if they travel during school holidays.

The crew will be knowledgeable on the sailing area with great tips for lunch and swim stops and all the best places to see, as well as those to avoid. Their daily briefings each morning will in just a few minutes, give flotilla guests all the relevant info they need, on the weather, the destination of the day, navigational info and must see places en route.

They will be on hand in each destination to catch mooring lines and see guests in safely, something that experienced bare-boaters value, given the difficulty in securing a mooring space in some of the  smaller island harbors.

Equally important is their technical support, since they are on hand or relatively close by if charterers need assistance. Having the lead crew on hand to free a fouled anchor or clear a prop wrap can be very welcome help on a hot summer’s day.

Organized activities are available for those that wish to take part. Quiz nights, a beach party, kids’ activities such as dinghy races  plus our Junior Seafarer’s Award scheme are all part of the programme.

Equally for those guests who just want a guaranteed mooring space, some information and support if it is needed, booking a flotilla can still be attractive.

For example, Seafarer’s current late booking offers feature a week in the Ionian for 2 on a Sun Odyssey 32 in June for just £699 per person. The same yacht is on offer as a Greece yacht charter at just £895, however, the difference of £605 for 2 return flights, transfers, fuel, a welcome pack, end cleaning and the support of the flotilla lead crew has to be a bargain in anybody’s book.

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