By Jeff on 5/13/2009 5:22 AM

In addition to my trusty headlamp, a piece of gear I’m hard pressed to do any sailing without is my water tight Otter Box. What in the world is an Otter Box, you ask? Well, they’re small, waterproof, crushproof, and watertight gear containers that actually float too. They come in a wide range of colors and sizes and are ideal for protecting valuable electronics or other stuff in a marine environment. I particularly like the clear covered boxes; they make it very easy to quickly spot what you’re looking for.

Why get an Otter Box and what should you use them for on your next bareboat charter? For starters, saltwater environments are absolutely brutal for electronics and particularly those designed for the relatively dry climates where most people live. I’ve seen some electronics, when exposed to two weeks of sailing in warm, humid environments, get completely corroded.

• iPods/portable media players: with small hard drives, these things – while remarkably durable – still get a little finicky in hot and humid environments. They’re also prone to getting crushed in duffels. So, the Otter Box protects them nicely.
• Digital cameras and memory cards: just as with media players, it’s critical to keep these delicate electronic devices safe. Where the box comes in handy for some of these is when you jump in the dinghy for a day trip. You throw a small bag or backpack with your camera in the dinghy and head out. Next thing you know, the breeze picks up and you get a bunch of water splashing over the bow and accumulating in the bottom of of the dinghy. Camera and backpack? Not so dry. Same goes for beach landings or departures in any kind of swell. Keeping your camera in one of these boxes is cheap protection and insurance.
• First aid/medication: I’ve heard of some folks that throw bandaids, antibiotic ointment to deal with coral abrasions, and other first aid gear into an Otter Box too. This keeps safety items sealed and organized in the event any of those items are needed. The last thing you want to face when trying to grab a bandage for a sliced finger is a package that somehow get soaked or is at least damp with weakened adhesion.
• Dry foods like spices, etc.: for those culinary artists (i.e. designated charter cook!) that like to pack their own spices, rubs, and other ingredients, it can be nice to pack them in an airtight container that doesn’t leak smells or spills into clothing in the same duffel bag. Otter Boxes work great for this too.

Here’s a tip: for certain electronics, I also throw in a couple of those desiccant packages you get with certain electronics items that will absorb a certain level of moisture. This helps ensure that if you lock in some moisture or humid air (as in the tropics), it will be absorbed quickly to keep items as dry as possible.

Starting around $15US (amazon.com), these tough little items can be handy, smart protection that keeps your gear organized and safe from the marine environment wherever your bareboat charter takes you.

By Jeff on 5/5/2009 12:26 PM

Let’s face it. Bareboating is more expensive that your average holiday vacation. Savvy sailors can certainly locate good deals by looking for seasonal discount windows and remaining flexible to take advantage of last-minute specials. However, that usually only works for a small fraction of people out there. That means that a bareboat charter is going to hit your wallet.

There’s good news though. With smart budgeting, through understanding the types of fees or expenses you’ll face and by also knowing your options, you can take control of your bareboat charter budget.

Key factors in building (and successfully managing!) your bareboat charter budget include:

1. The boat and related fees
2. Provisioning: food, beverages, and other necessities
3. Skipper and/or crew
4. Travel expenses and related fees
5. Resort and/or hotel costs
6. Additional miscellaneous fees

The “Developing a Charter Budget” provides more details on these costs and how to factor them into your trip plan. If you have questions, please post them in the forum. (free registration required)

If you have a good tip to help others budget their bareboat charter, please share it. Simply register for Charter Island (it’s free) and post your tip here.

By Jeff on 4/22/2009 2:56 PM

As I’ve mentioned before, a bareboat charter is usually the type of adventure most people want to capture completely, be it in pictures AND video. With today’s digital cameras, it’s pretty easy to find (if you don’t already have one) a compact camera that takes fantastic pictures.

Video, however, can be an entirely different issue. Between today’s latest HD camcorders (which are surprisingly cheap and shoot remarkable video) and SLRs like Canon’s 5D that shoots amazing HD-video in addition to pro-quality SLR photos, what’s a consumer to do? Between the features and wide range of prices, it’s a bit daunting. Further, don’t kid yourself – that cellphone of yours doesn’t take very good video – certainly not the level of quality you will want to share with friends for years to come.

One interesting option is a Flip Ultra Series Camcorder ($113 @ Amazon). I have a Flip and have found it to be a great option because of it’s combination of small size, low relative cost, and extreme ease of use. Further, they have a ton of accessories available and one that’s sure to make sense for your next charter is their “Underwater Case for Flip Ultra”.

For about $30 at Amazon (List price $49.99), you can add a Flip Video Underwater Case for Flip Ultra Camcorders that both allows you to shoot video down to 30 feet under and also protect the camera from salt-spray (or beer spray?) during your trip.

The only drawback I can see is that it only works with the Flip Ultra. I wish they offered a case for the Flip Mino (which I have) or the Mino HD. The Mino is just a wee bit more svelte than the Ultra. However, the Ultra can also run on standard batteries whereas the Mino requires AC-charging via a USB port or optional charger.

It’s worth noting that there are some reviews out there that suggest the underwater case leaks. So, it’s best to test it first before completely committing (i.e. before doing any freediving). Given my experience with camera enclosures, you do get what you pay for. A little time spent tweaking the enclosure, carefully closing the case while watching to make sure the gasket isn’t pinched, and possibly putting some silicone grease on the edges to create a truly water tight seal probably makes sense.

Here’s a sample video created with the Ultra and Underwater case. And, if you’ve had any experience with this add-on, post your comments and experiences below.

By Jeff on 4/21/2009 12:27 PM

In case you haven’t seen yesterday’s “Radio Silence” posting from Magnus Wheatley on Sailing Anarchy, it certainly paints Sunsail’s premier Caribbean sailing resort in a particularly bad light. According to Magnus:

“I took Harry oversees for the first time in March and took the plunge at Sunsail’s Club Colonna in Antigua. Basically I paid a fortune (sterling is a nightmare against the $) and quite frankly it wasn’t worth it… boats were awful (kicker broke on the Laser first time out), the staff were the most demotivated bunch on planet earth, the place looked like it needed a complete makeover and the only creatures that looked like they were enjoying themselves were the cockroaches that made a nightly appearance from under the wooden cladding on the bar deck. The place is a dump and should be shut down – word of advice: if you’re thinking of booking a Sunsail holiday: “Don’t do it” – keep the credit crunch folding stuff in your pocket and book somewhere decent. No wonder they’ve shut down all their European resorts…”

- from www.sailinganarchy.com

Now, we’re familiar with Magnus and his now defunct blog. We enjoyed some of his posts and disliked others. So, our experience is that we should take this commentary with the good ole “grain of salt” before rushing to judgement. However, we almost stayed at Club Colonna about 4 years ago before ultimately chartering in the Grenadines. (however, there was a little discussion about scuttling the charter altogether in favor of a luxurious stay at Coco Bay…)

At that time, the resort looked pretty nice. But, it would be helpful and interesting for the bareboat community out there to know firsthand: is this report accurate? Have you visited? What’s the latest on Club Colonna in Antigua?

Please post your comments below.

By Jeff on 4/16/2009 2:48 PM

So I suppose this one ranks high on the nerd meter. Some of you probably think that bareboat chartering is an opportunity to get away from technology. Or, maybe you’ll be visiting the Sweet Pie Bakery on Mustique where you can order a printed copy of your favorite, international daily newspaper which renders a Kindle newspaper subscription unnecessary.

For the rest of us who stare at a heap of books we’ve been trying to read for months, just fretting over the best few to take in order to pack lightly, the Kindle (or now – Kindle 2) could be your new best friend.

For those not familiar with the Kindle 2 (or Kindle 1 for that matter), it is essentially a PDA-like electronic book device. The advantage is that it can hold approximately 1,500 books and magazines. This means that you can pack light and ensure there will be no shortage of reading material during your charter.

A couple notes about the Kindle…

• I was recently turned onto the Kindle by my father-in-law during a recent trip to a remote part of Mexico. Because the device users EVDO service to connect with the Amazon store for ebooks and magazine/news subscriptions, it was effectively out-of-range and unable to update or download new books/subscriptions. This MAY be a problem depending upon where you’ll be chartering if you want your daily dose of The New York Times (or any of the over 260,000 ebooks available for purchase). If you load up ahead of time, it shouldn’t be a problem. I do wish it was equipped with Wi-Fi since free wireless access seems ubiquitous in even the more remote regions for chartering.
• If you’re reluctant to even consider a device like this because you like to read regular printed pages, think again. Before trying out out, I felt the same way. But, the contrast, white page backgrounds, and overall reading experience make me reconsider. For those that like reading paper vs. laptop screens or LCD monitors, this is much closer to a printed book than you might think.

For a technical review of the Kindle, you can check this out.

Ultimately, this is not a cheap piece of gear but it does offer some really nice capabilities that can make you trip more enjoyable. And, you may even travel lighter, with fewer books, and skip the entire process of deliberating over which books you’re going to take for your next bareboat charter!

By Jeff on 3/31/2009 11:30 AM

As short-timers on this planet (relative to it’s history), we should all be 100% committed to doing our best to make the planet better than when we fist joined the rat race. It’s somewhat like my philosophy developed over years of crewing on race boats. Somewhere – I’m not sure where – I adopted the mentality that IF someone was footing the bill for me to be able to go racing, the least I could do was make an effort to ensure the boat was in better condition when I left than when I first climbed aboard. Maybe it was some rigging tape covering some exposed ring-dings that might snag a headsail during a tack. Maybe it was helping prep the hull or burnish antifouling paint. A little help to rebuild a winch is the least a crew member can do to contribute. Right or wrong, good or bad, it’s always been my philosophy and I think it’s a good one.

I really feel the same way about chartering. I’ve been fortunate enough to see some of the most remarkable things while chartering around the world. Whether it was rays breaking the surface or beds of urchins as far as the eye could see in the South Pacific, Orca whales and porpoises dancing across the water in the Pacific Northwest, or the countless fish in a variety of snorkeling spots across the Caribbean, the waters we sail on and the communities we visit while chartering are quite remarkable.

As visitors, we have the explicit responsibility to leave no trace from our visits. Whether it’s handling garbage safely (some islanders do not always do this even when they take money for removing your trash – it often gets thrown behind a building somewhere) or being cautious fueling vessels and watching what gets sent overboard, it all adds up.

However, I think charterers can do more. For instance, I like what Moorings is doing with their electric propulsion system on their Robertson and Caine catamarans. Sure, they still have a diesel generator to charge and run the boat’s systems. But, for large vessels, this at least cuts the number of fossil fuel powerplants in half. This system relies on Glacier Bay’s OSSA propulsion and DC genset and is supposed to reduce emissions and exhaust in the precious ecosystems in which we charter.

[BTW – have you had experience with these catamarans? I’m curious to hear how they actually perform underway. Please share your comments below!]

I think we can do more. Whether it’s encouraging more green chartering efforts or even programs to donate to causes that help protect and improve popular chartering regions, I’m for it. I would also like to hear about programs like this from readers and highlight those that create and foster these efforts.

So, cool ideas or organizations that foster green chartering? Let us know!

By Jeff on 3/2/2009 1:55 PM

Here’s a vision: flat water, decent trade winds, incredibly clear water, great fishing, and – get this – less than 200 miles from southern Florida. That’s the Abacos, located in the northern Bahamas. For those with kids or limited sailing experience, the Abacos offer a tremendous experience for sailors. There are a handful of experienced charter companies servicing the area, from world wide Moorings to local experts Sail Abaco and Abaco Bahamas Charters both based in Hopetown. I’m guessing that given the relatively shallow and flat waters, this is a great location to charter a catamaran. So, between a truly idyllic location and ease of access, it sounds hard to beat. That’s why it’s on our short-list for future charter destinations.

By Jeff on 2/18/2009 1:48 PM

In this week’s bareboat charter gear feature, I’m going to suggest the Xantrex Micro Inverter.

Why? Chances are, you (and your crew… especially young kid crew) probably have a handful of electronics you’ll pack along with you on your charter. You probably have an iPod, a digital camera, maybe a camcorder, and likely a few other things (FRS walkie talkies, handheld GPS, handheld VHF, etc.).

With most of these electronics, your battery will get you about a day of flights and half a day into your charter before you need to recharge them. When chartering, it’s rare to get shorepower. So, this little gadget can help you charge those essentials and capture those great digital pics captured by power hungry digital cameras.

By Jeff on 2/11/2009 10:46 PM

I’ll admit it; like many sailors, I'm a bit of a gear nut. Sailing, and of course chartering, provides ample opportunity to buy more gear. However, chartering provides some different types of gear to add to your list and I'm going to begin featuring each Wednesday. Why Wednesday? Well, it's just enough time to still buy something online, have it shipped next day air, and get it before the weekend (and either some local sailing or hopefully a charter).

I'm not someone that's into gear for gear-sake. But, some types of gear - sometimes even the simple things - can really make the difference between a sailing trip and a blissful, safe, and fun bareboat charter adventure.

So, the the gear I'll be featuring fits some specific criteria: it must be travel-friendly (light and packable), it must offer utility that makes the charter experience better, and it must have some durable, after-charter usefulness whether it be for sailing, other types of travel, or even just around the house.

To kick things off, here’s the first featured piece of gear:

The Joby Gorillapod Flexible Tripod

Why it’s cool?

On a boat, there are rarely any flat, sticky, reliable spots to mount something temporarily. And, since you’re on a wonderful vacation, you’ll probably want to take pictures.

The Gorillapod is light, flexible, and has this incredible adaptable way of clinging to things with a combination of sticky rubber rings attached to legs that can really clamp down tightly. So, place your digital camera or small camcorder on a the compass binnacle and get that family shot. Attach something to the bimini frame tubes. Or, simply use it while touring on shore as a very useful portable tripod.

There’s also a bonus model that features a slick suction cup base too!

Don’t leave home without it!

By Jeff on 1/22/2009 11:27 PM

When I tell stories about our trips to the Grenadines... the BVI... Tahiti... the San Juan Islands... each time on our own boat without a skipper or crew to cramp our style, most people look at me in with complete and utter doubt. "Are you joking? Someone let YOU take a boat by yourself in paradise?" Then, after I explain that I've been sailing my whole life, actively cruising and racing, they then withdraw with that a look that says, "Oh... I see... you know some secret handshake or codeword that the mainstream doesn't... I knew there was a catch."

But, the reality is, there's no "catch". It's possible for just about anyone. Too few people, other than diehard sailors that crawl the many ads in the back of sailing magazines, understand that you CAN charter a boat in paradise. Charter companies WANT to charter their boat to you (especially in this economy!).

What I commonly find is that people simply lack the understanding of the basics of how to go about chartering. From my experience, there are a handful of decisions that need to be made in conjunction to get things rolling towards a great charter experience. These are decisions including: who you want to charter with, what company you want to choose, and a handful of others. However, the single most important decision - in my opinion - is the destination.

The BVI (British Virgin Islands) are where bareboating got it's start. But, it's a great big world out there with many choices that constantly expand for chartering. That's why we've created a Charter Planning Guide that can help people new to the experience (and experts too) sort out their priorities. Choosing a Destination is a key factor and you can learn about the basics here.

In fact, this guide helped us recently. We were seriously considering a charter in the Sea of Cortez this spring. One of it's advantages is that most of the anchorages and destinations are incredibly remote. I've spoken with others that said they saw only a handful of other charter boats over a weeklong trip. Upon reflection - and asking ourselves, "do we really want to escape from it all?" and "what types of cultural experiences are appealing?", we realized that it just wasn't a great fit for our group which included small children and many that wanted to experience more social interaction with locals.

So - you can bareboat. Get started with considering your locations. And, if you have questions, be sure to register for Charter Island (it's free!) and post your questions in the Forum. We're happy to answer them.