What size boat?

Before deciding on the size of boat that will be most suitable for you, give consideration to how many family or friends will be on board.

To help you in your selection when you look at bareboats, you will see that each boat is quoted with ideal and maximum passenger capacities.

'Ideal'
  This number is generally two less than the maximum number of passengers the boat can sleep, this is a level of accommodation that most people regard as comfortable, and more compatible for a cruising holiday.

This choice will select those boats recommended as 'ideal' as well as including all those boats in the next size category.

 
'Maximum'
 

This is the total number of sleeping berths available and is the legal charter limit for that boat...At this number the boat could feel crowded, particularly if everyone on board are adults, but generally this will be your cheaper holiday option.

This choice will select those boats whose maximum number of berths is equal to the number of people you plan to have on the boat as well as including all those boats in the next size category.

  

The size of bareboat you choose can be influenced by a number of factors, but it is up to you to decide their relative importance!

  • How much you want to pay - often (but not always) the larger the boat the greater the cost, so obviously the more people on a boat the cheaper the 'per person per night' price. But this is one cost where a little indulgence can buy everyone on board a lot...a boat is not like a unit at the beach, you can't just go out for a walk...and give some thought to a possible change in the weather, what's great if it's sunny, may not be so good if it rains.

  • Couple of families with children? - or adult couples, or a mixture of singles and couples...etc. Each group has different accommodation needs and ideas for a boating holiday...what will be the relative ages of the people on board? - does any person in the crew have special needs?

  • Do you plan on spending some of your day on-shore at the resorts or hiking, or do you plan to be on-board most of the time?

  • How many private cabins will you need? Are the sleeping arrangements going to be matched with the layout of the boat...e.g. Some boats have 'extra-berth's' in the (private) cabins as well as in the saloon...this becomes particularly important if you intend chartering a boat at its 'maximum' passenger capacity.

  • Will you want to hire an experienced skipper to accompany you? - if you decide to do this, you will need to reduce the number of cabins. For example, if you select a four cabin yacht, and you choose to have a skipper aboard...you will then have three cabins to accommodate passengers, and any children travelling with you must be counted as members of your party.

  • How long do you plan on chartering the boat, 5-7-10-12 nights? Depending on the makeup of the group and the number of people on the boat, everything may be fine for five nights on a smaller boat,...but you could be testing relationships if you plan to be out 7 to 10 nights.