{"id":60685,"date":"2025-07-29T12:25:56","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T16:25:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/?p=60685"},"modified":"2025-07-31T10:34:55","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T14:34:55","slug":"confessions-of-a-diy-charter-skipper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/charter\/confessions-of-a-diy-charter-skipper\/","title":{"rendered":"Confessions of a DIY Charter Skipper"},"content":{"rendered":"\n        <section class=\"hydra-container\">\n\n\t\t\t                <div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sailboat-at-sea-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"hydra-image disable-lazyload\" alt=\"Sailboat in Saint Vincent\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sailboat-at-sea-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sailboat-at-sea-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sailboat-at-sea-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sailboat-at-sea-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sailboat-at-sea.jpg 2000w\" \/>                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n            <figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Cruising under ketch rig, scenes like this were once the backdrop to unforgettable charter adventures\u2014some idyllic, others unpredictable, all\u00a0part of life at sea.<\/span>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Dmitry Tonkopi\/stock.adobe.com<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t            <\/figcaption>\n        <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n<p>My wife, Kati, and I had built a small and profitable business in Nottingham, England. We decided to take a well-earned six-week vacation in Greece during our two young daughters\u2019 school holidays. We \u00adrented an RV to travel at our own pace, stopping wherever and \u00adwhenever we wanted. When we arrived in Athens, we chartered a Coronado 35 ketch for a week and sailed around the stunning Peloponnese, crewed by two American lads because we had never sailed before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe id=\"gkstfcayky\" src=\"https:\/\/cruisingworld.dragonforms.com\/gkstfcayky\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"width:100%;height:165px;border:none;overflow:hidden;\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p>Inspired by this experience, we sold our business, house and furniture, and bought a 40-foot Endurance ketch, which we named <em>Tranquility Base<\/em> in honor of the first American moon landing. With our children aboard, we set sail for the Mediterranean on what was meant to be a two-year \u00adsabbatical\u2014and we ended up staying for seven.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the first year, we \u00adrealized that we needed to start earning again to sustain our nomadic lifestyle. What better way than to use our beautiful boat to charter?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Charter sailing was in its infancy in the Mediterranean back then, and I signed on with a British charter agency targeting novice sailors who were looking to learn in the sun with a captain and cook. That\u2019s when things started to get interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bookings Begin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our first guests were an American couple traveling through Europe who \u00adwanted to see if they liked sailing. Our boat was perfect for them: \u00adcomfortable, manageable and well-equipped for short coastal&nbsp;trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One afternoon while we were anchored in a quiet bay, the wife decided to go for a swim. For reasons of modesty, she wore a wool poncho over her swimsuit. It quickly became waterlogged. The weight of the soaked fabric dragged her down. She managed to shed the poncho and grab hold of a floating line we had over the side, but she didn\u2019t have the strength to climb back aboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I couldn\u2019t lift her out of the water, so I rigged the main boom with a snatch block and passed a line beneath her arms to form a sling. Kati lowered the lifelines between two stanchions as I hoisted the guest up and over the rail. She came aboard safely\u2014albeit \u00adawkwardly\u2014landing on deck like a beached fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was an unglamorous start to our chartering career, but it taught us an early and valuable lesson: Be ready for anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The One-Armed Sailor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>On another charter, we hosted a couple whose husband had only one arm. He was considering buying a sailboat and wanted to find out if he could handle things on his own. Since we\u2019d advertised that our ketch was rigged for shorthanded sailing, he saw it as a good test platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our self-tailing electric winches were key to making sailhandling manageable for him. But at the time, portable electric winch handles\u2014now common and helpful\u2014weren\u2019t yet available. He managed admirably under calm conditions and found ways to adapt, but it was clear that sailing solo or in rough weather would present serious challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n        <section class=\"hydra-container\">\n\n\t\t\t                <div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sail-ropes-wide-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Sailing Yacht Columbia, classic Gloucester fishing schooner\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sail-ropes-wide-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sail-ropes-wide-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sail-ropes-wide-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sail-ropes-wide-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sail-ropes-wide.jpg 2000w\" \/>                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n            <figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">From sun-soaked decks to clogged heads and creative showers, life aboard was equal parts adventure, improvisation, and character-building.<\/span>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Thierry Dehove\/stock.adobe.com<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t            <\/figcaption>\n        <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n<p>In the end, he chose to buy a powerboat\u2014probably the wisest and safest option for his needs. I\u2019ve often thought about that experience and whether someone with a similar limitation could truly handle a sailboat safely without a capable crew, \u00adespecially in an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Drunks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While in Gibraltar, I accepted a charter from five men who, coincidentally, were also from our hometown of Nottingham. From the outset, they were more interested in partying than sailing. Sensing how the week might unfold, Kati made the smart decision to stay ashore with our daughters in a rented chalet. I stayed aboard to skipper the boat and quickly came to regret it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The group\u2019s main goal was drinking and meeting women. They also wanted to sail to Tangier, Morocco, about 40 miles across the Strait of Gibraltar. I warned them that the Strait was busy with commercial traffic and that Morocco had a different cultural attitude toward gender and public behavior, especially where Western tourists were concerned. They didn\u2019t care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once in Tangier, they met three local sisters who invited them back to their apartment. What the men didn\u2019t realize was that the women still lived at home. The evening ended not with a party, but instead with tea served under the strict supervision of their father, who told them that any infidel who laid a hand on one of his daughters would lose his head. The scimitar mounted above the fireplace suggested that he meant it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the sail back to Gibraltar, one of the men wore a kandura\u200b\u2014a long, traditional robe\u2014that got caught in the sheet winch while we were tacking. He was yanked to his knees and tangled in the lines while his friends laughed. I had to reroute another line carefully to free him, a process that took a good amount of time and effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a charter I was glad to see end, and a firm reminder that good seamanship sometimes includes managing difficult personalities as much as handling sails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Some Caught the&nbsp;Sailing Bug<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all guests were challenging. In fact, some became longtime friends, and a few bought their own boats. One family with two young daughters chartered with us near Saint-Tropez in the South of France. We spent several days sailing around \u00cele de Porquerolles until, unexpectedly, I was told we needed to return immediately to Port Grimaud. The wife feared she was having a miscarriage. I hadn\u2019t even known she was pregnant. Thankfully, they had good insurance and were flown back to England on a medical flight. She received prompt care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A few years later, that same family reappeared in Gibraltar, this time arriving in an old motorboat after navigating the European canal system. They had become skilled sailors, owning a fine boat and even undertaking deliveries across Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their journey was a rewarding reminder that some charter guests truly embrace the lifestyle, growing from nervous beginners into confident boat owners and sailors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Rum Deal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When we were based in Gibraltar, the British Admiralty finally ended the centuries-old practice of issuing a daily rum ration to sailors\u2014a tradition dating to 1740. This change became a windfall for <em>Tranquility Base<\/em>. Surplus rum was sold \u00adlocally in Gibraltar for about 10 GIP per gallon (about $13.58&nbsp;US), still bottled in the original pot demijohns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I always stocked up with a couple of gallons before heading to the Mediterranean. At dinner, we served guests neat rum and grog\u2014the classic British naval mix of rum diluted with water\u2014keeping alive a bit of maritime heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"font-size:30px\"><em>We realized that we needed to start \u00adearning again to sustain our nomadic \u00adlifestyle. What better way than to use our beautiful boat to charter?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The raw rum was a strong, warming drink that few could handle in quantity. While the traditional naval \u201ctot\u201d was half a pint twice daily, most guests barely managed a couple of neat servings before feeling the effects. It was also a reliable way to encourage early bedtimes in the afternoon, which, for a skipper, was often just as \u00adwelcome as the drink itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Heads and \u00adHeadaches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our boat had just one Baby Blake marine toilet, and it required precise instructions to operate correctly. Guests had to open the valves and pump the lever in the right sequence to avoid unpleasant consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I often ended up emptying the toilet after someone got it wrong, and it wasn\u2019t uncommon to hear a startled shriek from the head when a guest struggled. On rare occasions, I even had to put on rubber gloves to retrieve items that had fallen into the bowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A single toilet is far from ideal for a charter boat, especially with multiple guests. That\u2019s why on our current boat, we upgraded to two electric toilets. They are much easier to use and far less likely to cause trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seasickness: An Inevitable \u00adChallenge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Mal de mer<\/em> was a common issue among guests who had never been on a small boat before. We always advised them to take motion sickness tablets before boarding, just in case, but sometimes even that wasn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When nausea hit, the best we could do was provide a bucket and discreetly dispose of the contents later. Most guests got their sea legs within a day or two, but occasionally we had to remain tied up in a marina for several days while some guests adjusted to life aboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Patience and preparation were key, for the guests and crew alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hot-Water Hustle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Keeping enough hot water for daily showers by four or five people was always a challenge aboard our boat. When we docked in port, we could plug into shore power and easily heat the water. But anchored in secluded coves, we had to rely on the engine\u2019s heat or our portable Honda generator to warm about 15 gallons of water. Our options were noisy and annoying for a peaceful anchorage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On sunny days, I sometimes hung a plastic bag from the mast, fitted with a shower head. The sun would heat the water inside, providing a \u00adsimple solar shower. The catch? After \u00adrinsing off, guests needed to jump into the sea to wash away the soap and cool down. Children enjoyed this, but \u00admany adults were less enthusiastic about the&nbsp;swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Balearic Bliss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of our most enjoyable charters took place in Spain\u2019s Balearic Islands, particularly Ibiza and Mallorca, where we ran day charters for groups of young vacationers. We\u2019d pick them up from a beach near their hotel and sail to a nearby island or sandy cove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The days were filled with swimming, snorkeling and relaxing drinks at a local bar. Many guests would nap on deck during the leisurely return sail, soaking up the sun and sea&nbsp;breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We repeated this routine for several days each summer. It not only brought us great memories, but it also made a valuable \u00adcontribution to our boat fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Buckets to&nbsp;Bathtubs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All of this happened in the \u00adearly days of sailboat chartering, when the sea felt wide open and the rules were few. Anchoring was easy, paperwork was \u00adminimal, and most of us were figuring things out as we went. It was a simpler time: rugged, rewarding, and full of&nbsp;surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, chartering looks \u00addifferent. You can hire a \u00adskipper for just a few days, or even for a single afternoon, to sail, cook dinner and head home before sunset. Boats have become floating homes with every \u00adcomfort imaginable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our current 50-foot \u00adschooner has twin air conditioners, a washer\/dryer, a deep freezer, two heads with electric toilets and showers, and a full-size bathtub with jets. It\u2019s a far cry from our early setup with one hand-pump head and a bucket on deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And yet, no matter how far the gear and the business have come, some things haven\u2019t changed at all. The sea still finds ways to keep us humble.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From overboard guests to the changing nature of chartering, our sailing journey was as unpredictable as it was rewarding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":60687,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"BS_author_type":"BS_author_is_guest","BS_guest_author_name":"Roger Hughes","BS_guest_author_url":"","hydra_display_date":"","hydra_display_updated":false,"arc_story_id":"","arc_website_url":"","arc_subtype":"","arc_exclude_from_feeds":false,"sponsored":false,"sponsored_label":"Sponsored Content","sponsored_display_label":false,"post_right_rail":true,"post_right_rail_ad_1":true,"post_right_rail_ad_2":true,"post_right_rail_ad_3":false,"post_right_rail_ad_4":false,"post_right_rail_recirc":true,"fixed_anchor_ad":true,"post_top_ad":true,"post_off_ramp":true,"post_taboola":false,"labels":true,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":"","ad_settings_ads_on_this_page":true,"ad_settings_automatic_ad_injection_into_the_content":true,"ad_targeting":"","alternate_title_newsletter":"","alternate_content_newsletter":"","sponsored_image":false,"sponsored_url":"","social_share":true},"categories":[161],"tags":[1983,169,1918,1225,2000,197,2112],"class_list":["post-60685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-charter","tag-boat-ownership","tag-charter","tag-charter-life","tag-hands-on-sailor","tag-lifestyle","tag-people","tag-print-august-2025"],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60685","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60685"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60685\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60685"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60685"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}