When boating in the Sea of Abaco, you never have to leave sight of land and there's a multitude of safe, interesting harbors to explore. But it's not a bathtub. In order for a charter company to entrust you with its half-million-dollar hunk of glass, you have to convince them you're not going to add it to the collection of wrecks that litter the island chain. In order to bareboat (rent a boat without a captain) you must be able to:
Show familiarity with all boat systems including radios, GPS (Global Positioning System), sails (if it's a sailboat), motors, controls, generators, the electrical system, plumbing and the outboard-powered dinghy.
Navigate using dead reckoning and GPS.
Read the water - there are many reefs, sandbars and shoals in the area marked only by ripples and water color.
Determine safe anchorages and know how to anchor and moor properly.
Back your boat into a slip between a couple of $2 million yachts with a 15-knot crosswind and the entire marina watching.
OTHER OPTIONS
If you're not comfortable doing these things - and the charter company will ask for a resume, references and possibly a test sail - then you have two decent options to still experience the cruising life.
Rent a captain: For about $150 per day, plus tip and food, you can hire an experienced captain who will do all the driving and maintenance chores so you can sit back and enjoy the ride.
Take a course: Charter companies offer cruising courses from basic on up to seadog. Once you've taken a course or two, you'll be confident to jump aboard and bare it all over the Caribbean.
For more information about rentals, call Florida Yacht Charters at 800-537-0050 or visit www.floridayacht.com
Posted online 02/01/01.
