Charter Broker

Like others, Charter Brokers bring buyer and seller together. They take the time to know the yachts and crews they represent. Some brokers advertise in a limited fashion, while others use full page, very expensive ads in sailing journals and related media.

Various times of the year boat owners place their vessels on display and present themselves, along with samples of food and drink creations at Broker shows. This is an opportunity for Brokers to get to know the vessels and their crews, while we are attentive to the Brokers’ attitudes and demeanor to judge how they will represent us and our clients.

A number of Brokers have experience as Captains and Mates. They may have left the physical demands and financial uncertainty of the Chartering lifestyle for a more traditional land based way of life. Others came up through the ranks of Brokerage to strike out on their own.

Brokers serve clients by recommending the right vessel and crew for their needs. They may suggest an island group with the client’s time slot in mind, weather conditions, costs and other considerations. The Brokers handle all financial aspects of the Charter transaction and also answer a myriad of questions, easing the way to a successful sailing vacation.

Brokers work on a fee for service basis like Brokers of all fields where specialized knowledge is a must. Some Brokers are very helpful to crews by providing services that are difficult for ocean going people to accomplish, like banking, forwarding mail, or arranging for boat parts delivery and the like.

Once while at a remote island location, a lady guest asked for a special bottle of champagne with which she was going to propose marriage to her boy friend. I reached her broker by high seas email, who in turn, made it happen. A small Bahamian vessel rendezvoused with us the next day. The captain smiled as he handed me the champagne. Proposal accepted, all concerned happy – Forget the costs.

No one is perfect, but the Brokers I choose to work with have proven to be both honorable and sincere.

Captain only

Captain only describes a charter that offers the navigational services and piloting skills of the captain and the vessel for the term of the charter. (See Plus All)

Fully Crewed

Includes the described Captain Only services and the services of a Chef Mate. (See Chef Mate)

What is a Chef Mate?

The Mate part refers to their performing duties on the vessel, such as standing watches, assisting in docking, anchoring, and related ship board duties. The Chef part of this term is a misnomer. A chef usually has attended a recognized school of culinary arts, while most chef mates have not. Having said that, I must quickly point out that those culinary schools would do little to prepare one to prepare and present wonderful meals in a moving, sometimes tossed about galley (kitchen), with limited cold storage/dry storage.

To get the feel for the work load of the Chef Mate, come along on the typical preparation for a Charter. First, review the guests’ food and drinks list, noting special requests or special occasions, like a birthday or honeymoon. Then, in the car headed for anywhere from three to six different stores to make the purchases. Usually the purchases fill the car two or three times. Then back to the boat, unload the supplies into carts, down the dock, unload the carts onto the dock, then load all of the supplies onto the boat. These activities only occur during rain with temps in the nineties.

The first miracle, how to stow all of these stores in a manner that facilitates meal plan and usage. Next step is to clean all eleven rooms; walls, ceiling and floors, make all five beds, wash/layout towels, etc… I won’t go into much more since it goes quite a bit further, but imagine if your will, just doing the dishes four times a day for up to eight guests, picking up towels, magazines, cameras, newspapers, sunglasses, sun block and the like, and still pleasantly answering questions and responding to requests.

Many ladies ask me about becoming a Chef Mate and I tell them that they have no idea how physically demanding and emotionally draining the job is.

The level of service can be high and complete aboard Stray Cat for up to four guests, but beyond four, the guests must help in any way they wish, but help they must.

When a fully crewed charter is chosen, the guest will enjoy all of the above services and much more. When fully crewed is not chosen, all of the above duties are the responsibility of the guest.

Approximately 3/4 of our charters are Captain only. Some reasons for this choice are: Many guests really enjoy rolling up their sleeves in the galley, they’re good at it and enjoy the smile and acknowledgement of a job well done.

Some like to take part in ship board duties and to feel the camaraderie of sailing, navigation and trip planning. Others, due to years of home responsibilities and child rearing simply can’t help themselves, they lend a helping hand as a matter of instinct.

Whatever the reason, taking these responsibilities is an excellent way to control the overall costs of the vacation, and for most, a rewarding way to spend it.

Plus All

Starts with the basic cost of the Captain and boat, this means, more than any other pricing method; that you are in control of the costs of your sailing vacation. Your party will only pay for items consumed or services rendered. You will be provided with actual receipts without mark-up. See Expenses below

All Inclusive

As consumers we have been led to believe that all inclusive is the best deal; not always, an educated guess has room for honest error.

This price quote is based on an estimate of what goods and services your group will consume. Some guest consume much more and use more services than others. The rub is, in which category must the estimator place your group?

By the way, almost everyone eats and drinks far more while onboard than at home. This higher consumption is likely caused by exposure to sun, wind, heat and exercise they are not use to. Finally, no estimator wants to under-estimate expenses, do they?