 | | There are so many questions that need to be answered before you decide to charter your boat. The following lists the most frequently asked questions and Bay Sailing's answers…
How does your charter program work?
Basically, Bay Sailing is acting as a property manager. Your boat will be located at our charter base at Sharp's Point South Marina in Rockland. Rockland is the heart of Penobscot Bay--a world renowned cruising area. You and the charterers will enjoy free parking and the convenience of having the boat dockside for ease of loading and unloading. Sharp's Point South Marina offers moorings, boat storage, showers and an on-site restaurant for breakfast and lunch.
Bay Sailing will handle all aspects of boarding and briefing charterers and cleaning, servicing and maintaining your yacht. We will act as your charter agent by advertising and promoting your yacht for charter in national magazines such as Sail, Cruising World, Maine Boats and Harbor, and Downeast, as well as through our popular web sitd: www.sailme.com. Bay Sailing will process all of the associated applications, contracts and fee collections. We will determine the charterer's qualifications with the following process as described on our Charter Details sheet:
The designated charter skipper completes the Charter Application / Sailing Resume form. Bay Sailing evaluates this information looking for solid experience on similar size yachts being navigated in similar waters to the Maine Coast. We will contact the boating references listed on the designated Charter Application / Sailing Resume and mail them a reference form to complete and return. During the yacht orientation / checkout, Bay Sailing will determine if a test sail is necessary. If so, an on the water sail test will be performed where the designated charter skipper along with his/her crew will be further evaluated. If after the test sail the designated charter skipper along with his/her crew is deemed unqualified, a hired skipper will be required at your expense and approved by Bay Sailing. The hired skipper may be required for the term of the charter and possibly for only a day to acclimate the designated charter skipper to the yacht and sailing area. Notd: the designated charter skipper or hired skipper must be a U.S. Citizen.
Can I use my boat?
Yes! The season runs from June to September with reservations falling most heavily in July and August. You can either reserve your owner use time in advance or use your boat in between charters or in the "off season" (early June and late September). Your boat must be made available for charter a minimum of four weeks during July and August.
How is the charter fee shared?
The charter fee revenue is 50% for you and 50% for Bay Sailing.
What does Bay Sailing pay for?
- Staff salaries
- Telephone
- Advertising
- All mailings (newsletter, brochures, correspondence, etc.), postage
- Fee collections
- Cleaning boat before every charter
- Hull inspection by diver, before and after each charter
- Boat supplies (cleaning products, toilet paper, paper towels, charcoal)
- Liability insurance
- Briefings
- Caretaking of Yacht
What do I pay for?
- Seasonal dockage fee: $500
- Insurance: To include charter coverage (which adds approximately $300.00 per year), Protection and Indemnity minimum of $500,000.00 and hull deductible amount of no more than 1% of the value of the boat.
- Outfitting your boat for charter: Galley equipment, barbeque, screens, dinghy with outboard, and other standard gear. We'll provide you with a list.
- Routine service work (preventative maintenance) to your boat.
Why do owners decide to put their boat into charter?
Chartering is an income producing venture that helps to defray the cost of boat ownership. It is the main reason people put their boat in a charter fleet. Other reasons includd: the boat is for sale*, the boat isn't sailed much anymore but the owners don't want to sell it or the owners want to experience sailing the Maine Coast. We have a boat owner from Massachusetts who truly enjoys jumping from car to boat and back on a long weekend without having the hassle of cleaning the boat before his sail or his drive home.
*Boats in the charter fleet do sell! We had two boats (out of four for sale) sell last year.
How much can I expect to make?
If you have a good charter boat (see below) it will charter for six to eight full weeks during the season. Please feel free to call for actual numbers of weeks and figures earned on boats similar to your boat.
What type of boat is Bay Sailing looking for?
Boats that charter best are the recent vintage, production boats that people know, such as… Beneteau, Cape Dory, C & C, Ericson, Freedom, Grand Banks, Hinckley, Island Packet, Jeanneau, J/Boats, traditional wooden boats, Pacific Seacraft, Sabre, Columbia, Swan, Shannon, etc.
Charterers want amenities: hot pressure water, roller furling, an outboard on the dinghy, latest electronics, etc. We provide a list of "must haves" and suggestions. Complete and return the enclosed Yacht Specifications Form and we'll tell you if we think your boat would make a good charter boat.
Why select Bay Sailing to charter my boat over other companies?
- Good people
- Solid reputation
- Outstanding services
- Convenience
- Excellent location
- Cruising the coast of Maine!
We've got the customers to get the number of weeks you need to make it a financially successful venture for you. We're proud to tell you that for two years in a row Bay Sailing was selected as a reader's choice charter company in Cruising World magazine's "Reader's Choice Survey." We would be happy to provide you with boat owner, business or charterer references. We believe you will enjoy working with us. Please feel free to call us to set up a personal appointment to go over the details. We hope to have you and your boat join us on the Maine Coast next Summer!
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