Boating Vacation: Research your needs

In order to end up with the perfect vacation for you, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of boating vacations are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a boating vacation.

Research the market: Boating Vacation essentials

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the boating vacation market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Type: There are many types of sailing or boating vacations that you can choose from. You can rent a sailboat, take a motorized power sailboat if you have less time to travel and more money to spend, or you can hire a yacht or catamaran for even more room and luxury. You can arrange a sailing vacation for just yourself, a group of friends, or the family.

Choices: The first choice you'll have to make is what sort of boat you want to take. The second choice is whether you want to hire a skipper (or captain) and additional crewmembers for the trip. Some boating companies only offer packages that include a captain and crew. It is usually dependent upon the area, coastline, and weather.

A bareboat sailing vacation would include the 'bare' essentials. You hire the boat, and if you are qualified, you sail it. If not, you hire a captain and perhaps a crew. You buy your own food and food for the crew. You might even be required to help with the daily chores and running of the vessel. This is an option that can give you free time and freedom to sail wherever you want.

With a cabin charter or sailing cruise, you are actually booking a cabin on the boat of a pre-scheduled trip. These trips also have pre-determined routes and come with a professional crew. While you won't have all the luxury of a cruise liner, you will have more amenities than a bareboat sailing vacation. You will have less freedom to choose where you sail and you will not be alone on the boat.

Your most expensive alternative lies taking the best of both options. You opt for a crewed charter on a luxury boat. Here, you still have a crew, but you decide the destinations and schedule. You can also hire the boat to be completely private for you, your partner, family, or friends.

Destination: Here, the choice is also yours. You might be able to save money by booking a boating vacation abroad. The most expensive element might be your plane ticket getting there. Upon arrival, you'll find that food and other amenities might be cheaper, which will help you stick closer to your overall budget.

Activities: You will most likely always have the option of swimming and snorkeling if you head to a warm-weathered location. Furthermore, you might be able to carry jet skis on board. Additionally, you'll be able to stop at different islands, ports, and even countries while away.

Pre-trip Planning: In many circumstances, you'll have to have a valid passport with necessary visas, birth certificate, and perhaps another photo I.D. card. Bring waterproof bags that will keep your documents safe and dry.

Cost: The cost of a sailing vacation varies greatly depending on the choices you make and your budget. Hiring a bareboat for one week could cost you ten times less than hiring a luxury boat with crew. The top of the line does not come cheap.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a sailing vacation. For example, will you use the boating vacation only for cruising the tropics?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I been on a boating vacation before?
	If you have, work out what you did or didn't like about the trip. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

Have I ever sailed before?
	If you are a trained sailor it is possible to hire a vessel without a crew or a skipper (or captain). If you have never sailed before, then you will have to hire help. Don't over estimate your ability. Be realistic. The ocean can be dangerous even for the most experienced.

When do I want to take a boating vacation?
	You can go on a sailing vacation in the summer or the winter. Prices during the high season will of course be greater, as there will be more people looking to hire their own boat. You might consider planning ahead of time in order to get the best deals.

Who will be going with me?
	If your partner or family are joining you on your sailing venture, you will have more to think about. It might be a good idea to have a meeting to discuss your various needs and hopes.

Where do I want to sail?
	You might want to stay along your own coastline, and there is also the choice of whether to sail on a lake or the ocean. You might prefer to explore an archipelago, or sail along a rugged, mountain-topped coastline. Determine what sights you want to see, and what places you might want to visit on-land, to help plan your trip.

How long will I stay on my boating vacation?
	You need to consider how long you can take off work, and the schedules of others traveling with you. When planning your trip, you may want to give yourself some 'settling-in' time once you arrive at your boating destination and also some time at home before you head back to work.

What extra amenities am I looking for?
	Hiring your own boat might mean that you will pack whatever you will eat and use for the entire length of your sailing expedition. You can wait to buy certain foods upon arrival at your port of departure - but you need to be sure of what's available, and any items that you will have to supply yourself.

How much do I want to spend?
	If you are on a tight budget, you might try lessening the duration or your boating vacation or saving up a little more.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of boating vacations and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.

Video Links

Book a Crewed Cabin Charter - Promo
Promo for Crewed Cabin Charters are available for Catamarans worldwide. (0m 44s)