1st timers

If you want to make your coastal or island vacation really special then hire a boat. You can make it a real day to remember. If you’ve never considered this before then make sure you consider the following points so that your dream day doesn’t turn to a disaster.

If you have chartered a boat “bareboat” that means there’s no crew on board. If you have not got the necessary paper work you will need to hire a fully qualified skipper. Often the charter company can organize this for you.

If you have a power boat then you will normally be charged a fuel surcharge. Get an estimate of cost before you set sail!

You can tan three times the speed at sea. But you have to be careful not to burn. Take lotion and a hat. You often don’t feel the effects of the sun until you have reached land at the end of the day and then it’s too late!

Snorkel and goggles are a must if you are going to moor up and take a dip in the sea. They’re great for spotting jelly fish before it’s too late [a problem in the Med] or sharks [in other seas]

Always listen to the safety warnings at the start of the journey. Children must always be supervised and in life jackets. You may consider weather you should take younger children at all.

It’s a nice idea to tip the skipper and if you’re going ashore for a meal ask him along you’ll often get some good sea tales out of him. It’s normal practice to tip the skipper at the end of the trip.

There’s the basics, most of all have fun – if it goes well you will have one of the most amazing days of you life!

Tom Binns writes for Ibiza Boat Charter