Key takeaways: Bareboat = you are the skipper. Requires ICC or equivalent + VHF license. Price covers the boat but not fuel, food, or marinas. Buy the damage waiver. A sailing résumé is always required.

What Bareboat Charter Means

The term "bareboat" comes from maritime tradition: you rent the hull (the bare boat) without crew, provisions, or fuel. What you get is a fully equipped sailing yacht — you provide the skills to sail it.

Unlike a crewed charter where a professional skipper handles all the sailing, on a bareboat you are captain. You decide where to go, when to leave, where to anchor, and how to respond to weather. This is both the appeal and the responsibility of bareboat chartering.

What's Included

Every bareboat charter company is different, but a standard package includes:

Included in the charter price:

• The yacht (fully rigged and ready to sail)
• Life jackets for all berths
• Safety equipment (flares, fire extinguishers, life ring, EPIRB or PLB)
• Dinghy (inflatable) with outboard motor
• Anchor, chain, and mooring lines
• Charts and cruising guides for the area
• Basic kitchen equipment (pots, pans, plates, cutlery)
• VHF radio
• GPS chartplotter

Usually not included (extra cost):

• Fuel
• Marina berth fees
• Food and drink
• Skipper hire
• Damage waiver insurance
• Airport transfers
• Welcome provisioning pack (often optional)

What You Need

Certification

To charter a bareboat in most destinations, you need at minimum:

• ICC (International Certificate of Competence) — required in Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, and most European sailing destinations
• RYA Day Skipper (practical) — internationally recognized; qualifies you for the ICC
• ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising) — required by many US and Caribbean charter companies

Some charter companies, particularly in the BVI and Bahamas, are more flexible and may accept a sailing résumé in lieu of a formal certificate — but this varies.

VHF Radio License

In addition to a sailing certificate, most European countries require a VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) to operate the radio. This is a one-day course available through RYA, ASA, and many sailing clubs.

Sailing Résumé

Almost all charter companies ask for a completed sailing résumé — a record of your offshore sailing experience:

• Total sea miles sailed as skipper
• Number of passages completed
• Largest boat you've skippered
• Any offshore or night sailing experience

Fill this out honestly. Charter company safety managers review it carefully.

The Security Deposit

When you collect the yacht, you pay a refundable security deposit — typically $1,500–$5,000 held on your credit card. This covers:

• Damage to the yacht or equipment
• Fuel shortfall
• Marina damages
• Failure to return the boat on time

Damage waiver: For $15–$40/day, you can buy insurance that reduces your liability to zero (or to a much lower excess). This is almost always worth buying.

Preparing for Your First Bareboat Charter

1. Study the charter area — read the cruising guide, mark anchorages, understand entry points
2. Check the weather forecast — understand the local wind patterns (e.g. Meltemi in Greece, Bora in Croatia)
3. Brief your crew — assign watch duties, agree on safety procedures, show everyone where safety gear is stowed
4. Walk through the boat on collection day — note any pre-existing damage and photograph it
5. Plan your first night — have a clear plan for where you're sailing on Day 1

Frequently Asked Questions

What does bareboat charter mean?

Bareboat charter means renting a yacht without any crew. You are the skipper — responsible for sailing, navigation, anchoring, and all decisions on board. The boat is 'bare' of crew, but fully equipped with safety gear, charts, and equipment. You need a valid sailing certificate to charter bareboat in most countries.

What is included in a bareboat charter price?

A bareboat charter price includes: the yacht, life jackets and safety equipment, fire extinguishers, flares, dinghy and outboard motor, bilge pump, anchor and chain, ship's log and charts, and basic galley equipment (pots, pans, cutlery). Not included: fuel, marina fees, provisioning, tourist taxes, and optional crew.

What sailing license do I need for a bareboat charter?

The ICC (International Certificate of Competence) is the most widely accepted certification for bareboat charters in Europe. The RYA Day Skipper (practical) and ASA 104 are also accepted. Most countries also require a VHF radio license (SRC). Some charter companies have their own competency checks on top of formal certifications.

How do charter companies verify your sailing experience?

Most companies ask you to complete a sailing resume listing your experience: miles sailed, boats you've skippered, passages completed, and certifications held. Some do a brief boat check when you collect the yacht. Insurance policies require charter companies to verify competency, so this step is not optional.

What happens if there is an accident on a bareboat charter?

The yacht comes with third-party liability insurance. For damage to the yacht itself, you are typically liable for the security deposit amount (usually $1,500–$5,000). You can buy additional insurance (damage waiver) for $15–$40/day to reduce or eliminate this liability. Always buy the damage waiver — it is excellent value.