Chartering Step 3 – Trip planning, provisioning and check-out procedures
- Episode 057 Your Pocket Sailing Instructor podcast
- Released: August 24, 2023
- Duration: 30 min 0 sec
“Plan smart, provision well, know your boat — then cast off with confidence.” ~ Sailing According to Coach Penny
Your charter is booked — now it’s time to plan the adventure. In Step 3 of my chartering series, we look at creating a flexible itinerary, provisioning for your crew and making the most of your charter boat check-out before you leave the dock.
You’ve chosen your destination, decided on the type of charter, compared your quotes and booked the boat. Now the really fun part begins — planning the actual trip! In this third instalment of my chartering series, we move from booking your charter to preparing for your time on the water. A little thoughtful planning before you arrive can make those first few hours at the charter base considerably less stressful and give you more time to simply enjoy the adventure.
One of my favourite parts of any sailing trip is planning the itinerary. I love sitting down with charts and cruising guides and imagining where we might go. But a good sailing itinerary needs to have some flexibility built into it. Weather changes, crew members get tired, something on the boat may need attention, or you may discover an anchorage that is simply too beautiful to leave. Rather than creating a rigid schedule, I like to think of an itinerary as a framework — a general plan with plenty of alternatives along the way.
Then there’s provisioning. Feeding a crew aboard a charter boat requires a little more thought than doing your weekly grocery shop at home! You need to consider how many people you’re feeding, how often you plan to eat ashore, the storage and refrigeration available aboard, dietary requirements, and just how much cooking everyone actually wants to do. Provisioning well doesn’t mean filling every available locker with food. It means having what you need while leaving yourself the flexibility to enjoy local restaurants, markets and fresh ingredients along the way.
Finally, we talk about the all-important charter check-out procedure. It can be tempting to rush through the handover because everyone is excited to cast off, but this is your opportunity to really get to know the boat. Where are the seacocks? How does the electrical system work? How do you reef the sails? Where is the emergency equipment? How does the anchor windlass operate? Every boat is a little different, and asking questions at the dock is much easier than trying to figure something out later while the wind is blowing and your crew is waiting for instructions.
Good preparation isn’t about planning every minute or eliminating every possible problem — sailing simply doesn’t work that way! It’s about giving yourself the knowledge and options you need when plans inevitably change. Take the time to build a flexible itinerary, provision thoughtfully and thoroughly learn your charter boat before leaving the dock. Then you can cast off knowing you’ve done the groundwork and concentrate on what you came for in the first place: a fantastic sailing adventure.
Cheers!
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll love these too!
- Episode 055: Chartering Step 1 – Choosing a destination
- Episode 056: Chartering Step 2 – Type of charter & collecting quotes
- Episode 038: What is my sailing journey? How did I get here?
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About Penny Caldwell
Penny Caldwell is a Canadian sailing educator, Sail Canada Instructor Evaluator, marine consultant, and host of the Your Pocket Sailing Instructor podcast. With nearly three decades of teaching experience, she is passionate about helping sailors of all skill levels build confidence, develop practical seamanship skills, and enjoy a lifetime on the water. Through her articles, podcast, instructor development programs, consulting, and sailing adventures, Penny shares real-world knowledge that makes sailing safer, more enjoyable, and more accessible for everyone.
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Sailing is a lifelong learning journey, and some of the best ideas come from fellow sailors. Have a question about this topic, or a tip you’d like to share? Leave a comment below—I read every one and enjoy hearing about your experiences on the water!
