Boating Qualifications

Skippering A Bareboat Charter

To ensure a safe and enjoyable cruise, we need to confirm that you and your crew can confidently handle the yacht you’ve chosen. After booking your charter, each skipper will receive a Boating Experience Resume to complete, allowing us to assess your boating skills.

Qualifications

To qualify for a bareboat charter, the skipper(s) must have:

• Prior practical experience skippering a similar size and type of vessel
• Recent boating experience
• Boating experience in tidal waters

Review

After reviewing your Boating Experience Resume, we may require additional instruction if you do not meet the qualifications for a standard Check-Out on charter day.

If additional instruction is desired or required, AYC offers programs to help you improve your skills or fully train you and your crew for your cruising vacation. To learn more about which program is right for you, visit our Instruction page for details. Still unsure? Submit your Boating History, and we will reach out with recommendations on the best options to prepare you for your charter.

Pre-Qualification

After reviewing your Boating Experience Resume, AYC may ask you to schedule private, Pre-Qualification (PQ) time aboard the vessel you have chartered. PQ time is scheduled in the spring, prior to your charter. Please note, PQ time is not intended to teach boating skills, rather, it is an opportunity for us to observe and assess your ability to safely dock and maneuver the vessel in tight spaces before your charter begins.

A PQ session may be required if the most recent boating experience listed on your resume is 8 or more years old, if you have booked a vessel that is 5 to 10 feet larger than your previous experience, or if you have booked a vessel of significantly different type. At least one crew member must accompany the skipper to assist with dock lines and fenders. PQ sessions last 1 to 3 hours and are charged at an hourly rate. After the session, we will either approve you for the charter or require additional training to ensure a safe and enjoyable cruise.

Check-Out

When you step aboard your charter yacht on charter day, an AYC Fleet Captain will greet you for a vessel orientation and Check-Out.

The Check-Out includes a systems orientation, a chart review of your intended cruising area, other information to prepare you for your charter, and a short Check Ride that allows the Fleet Captain to observe your boat handling skills and confirm your ability to maneuver the vessel. This Check Ride is required and is not intended to teach boat handling skills.