{"id":1969,"date":"2019-02-11T10:00:10","date_gmt":"2019-02-11T18:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tradewindssailing.com\/wordpress\/?p=1969"},"modified":"2021-05-24T17:43:02","modified_gmt":"2021-05-25T00:43:02","slug":"getting-the-most-out-of-your-bareboat-cruising-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tradewindssailing.com\/wordpress\/general\/getting-the-most-out-of-your-bareboat-cruising-class\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting the Most Out of Your Bareboat Cruising Class"},"content":{"rendered":"

With many things in life, you get out what you are willing to put in.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Sailing classes are a great example.\u00a0 Over the years, I have had students that have not even cracked the book open, and others who have literally worn out the pages reading and rereading.\u00a0 Your instructor knows which type you are during the first hour of class.\u00a0 If you are reading this, you have most likely already taken the Basic Keelboat class (quite possibly more) and decided sailing is something you would like to move forward with.\u00a0 You might even be that person literally getting ready to take Bareboat Cruising.\u00a0 But even if you aren’t … even if you have taken Bareboat, Advanced Coastal Cruising or a trip like the Baha HaHa … these tips also work to make your next sailing vacation even better.<\/p>\n

There is a very good probability you will not hear from your Bareboat instructor until a week or less before class starts.\u00a0 Possibly not until you walk through the door of Tradewinds and get introduced in person.\u00a0 Which means, to do what I am about to recommend will require some effort on your own before class starts.\u00a0 \u00a0Always start by practicing your skils, reading the book.\u00a0 And then … Plan a Bareboat Cruise!<\/p>\n

Each of you have very busy lives, and I know that just getting the time set aside to do a bareboat class is challenging.\u00a0 This exercise is set up in a way that you can spend as much time on it as you want (or have available to you.)\u00a0 These are things to consider and research during your planning.\u00a0 As you go along, answer each question.\u00a0 Do the research.\u00a0 I will be providing some suggested resources.\u00a0 There is no reason to actually buy them, unless you really are planning a cruise to the BVI in real life.\u00a0 Remember, there are no right or wrong answers.\u00a0 There are no grades on the exercise.\u00a0 Just the learning experience.<\/p>\n

Who, What, When, Where, and Why<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Where would you like to go?<\/strong>\u00a0 We will use the British Virgin Islands so that everyone is on the same page, but there are cruising areas all over the world.<\/p>\n

What is your budget?<\/strong>\u00a0 This one could actually be number 1 on the list.\u00a0 Probably should be.\u00a0 If you don’t have a budget set upfront, you will spend more than you want to or can afford and impact the joy of the vacation.<\/p>\n

When would you like to go and why?<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Some considerations are weather, cost, special event timing (e.g. birthday, anniversary).\u00a0 How long do you want to be there?<\/p>\n

Who will be going?<\/strong>\u00a0 Is this a special romantic getaway for two, or will it include you and seven of your closest friends?\u00a0 Kids allowed?\u00a0 Splitting a boat between 4, 6, or 8 people can dramatically reduce the cost to you.<\/p>\n

What kind and size boat will give you the best experience?<\/strong>\u00a0 Monohull or Catamaran.\u00a0 35 footer or 50 footer?\u00a0 Remember your budget … this is a very large piece of it.<\/p>\n

Paperwork and documents you might need?<\/strong>\u00a0 Passports current (if not start this one early), sailing log book and required ASA certifications?\u00a0 The charter company is going to want to know your sailing background, and in some areas of the world like the Mediterranean, are legally required to make sure you have the needed certifications.<\/p>\n

Pick a charter company.<\/strong>\u00a0 Seems like such an important item shouldn’t be this far down the list, but the answers to most of the above will help direct you to the right company to charter from.<\/p>\n

Plan travel to and from<\/strong>.\u00a0 Airlines, hotels needed pre\/post cruise, etc.\u00a0 Trip Insurance?<\/p>\n

Here are a few links to talk about most of the above in more detail.<\/p>\n