Booking a boat is
easy and painless.
1.
Have a look around the site as to what boat you would like - taking into
consideration:
- the style (power or sail),
- number of passengers you have in your group,
- in the Whitsundays, how many cabins/berths (do you want 2 singles sharing a
double berth?...)
- the standard of boat,
- what you are prepared to pay
- do you want catering, or byo
If you are still
overwhelmed at this stage - (if you are inside Australia) ring us and we'll
walk you through the site so you can see the pics, or
email
for advice.
Experience
Although no formal qualifications are required to skipper a bareboat charter
yacht, experience is a must. Sydney Harbour is a working port and, at
the weekends especially, the Harbour comes alive with yachts and cruisers enjoying a day
out. It is not quite as busy in places like Pittwater or
the Whitsundays, but experience is still required. (in the Whitsundays, you are
given a sail test, and if you are lacking experience, may be required to take a
sail guide for the first day at your expense). As long as there is one experienced person onboard, everyone should have and
enjoyable day. If you would like a completely relaxing day, a skipper can show you the
sights.
Numbers Onboard
Maximum numbers
onboard any hire & drive vessel is 12 anywhere.
2.
Email
or phone with your
requirement and dates
3.
Sail Australia will get back to you with options available, final costs and
more information on the boats.
4.
If you would like to go ahead, a booking is made and a deposit is required
within a week to confirm the boat - the value of this depending on the
area. Usually Sydney is 50% of the boat charter and for the
Whitsundays, $500-700, with final payment due 60 days prior. Payment can
be made by direct deposit, over the counter, or by credit card (VS, MC, BC,
AX, DC) with c/card commission added on.
5. Final monies
and catering numbers for
skippered boats is due a week prior to charter for boat hire as well as for
any catering, beverages or any extras.
CANCELLATIONS:
Each boat has it's own
policy regarding cancellation, so please discuss this with Sail
Australia. Usually cancellation within 30 days may result in loss of
monies paid (60 days for Whitsundays), unless a charter can be found (less a
administration charge). Depending on the season, and the area, you may
be able to transfer the monies to a charter at another time.
In some cases, no refunds
will be given, rather the booking is postponed to another date.
Weather Postponment
Any cancellation or postponment due to weather, will not be decided until the day, and is at the
discretion of the operator.
CONDITIONS:
Bookings are only
confirmed when a deposit has been paid. All prices on the
website are subject to change at any time.
Any damage/ loss of
equipment caused by guests to the vessel will be invoiced to the hirer. (For
hire & drive vessels, and some skippered vessels there is a security
bond).
Please note that some shoes
are banned onboard some vessels due to safety reasons eg stilettos, and
black-soled shoes are not permitted on yachts (a cleaning fee may be charged)
For buck/hens days:
Please advise on enquiry if for a bucks or hens day as there are a lot of
boats that will not do these cruises, and you are subject to having the boat
cancel on the day if not advised. For skippered boats in Sydney,
bookings are taken for the 4 hours, but the 4th hour is subject to behaviour
at no refund. If behaviour is deemed unsafe or damaging, the cruise
will be terminated. Alcohol packages, for most boats, are not
available. Check at time of booking.
For any hire & drive
boat:
- the vessels are required under their survey to be anchored
or moored half and hour prior to sunset, and are unable to move until half an
hour after sunrise
- the vessels are unable to go alongside any wharf, jetty, ramp,
pontoon, other yachts or any hard object whatsoever. If you would like
to go ashore, you may request a dinghy (provided for all boats in the
Whitsundays)
- hard type eskies (coolers) are discouraged because of the damage
they cause onboard the vessels - each vessel has an ice box or fridge onboard.
