OzOne wrote:
First, it depends where you're going.

True. Places with big tides and rocks are not user-friendly for novices
on vacation.

Actually I got disillusioned some years ago with going on cruises with
friends for vacation. Usually they want to get drunk at 9am and it
interferes with the days sailing.


Second, if you aren't capable after the 2 days with a skipper, you'll
be paying and feeding him for the rest of the trip.
Having a skipper is not a bad thing at all, they are familiar with the
area and the people and will be able to get you into places and do
things that you would never otherwise. they know the best spots and
will take you there rather tahn you wasting time somewhere else.
Oh and you will always get a good nights sleep, they'll find the
calmest places and take responsibility for anchoring you safely.

Well worth considering IMHO.

Definitely agreed, especially for vacation, especially for novices (who
would probably sleep well anyway). However it could be a problem two
ways- paying for it may be beyond their budget; and the boat may be
tight enough for the charterers that having one more body, especially a
stranger, may be stressful.

I have been on one captained charter, and while the captain was very
good, the wives was not happy having him parade around the cabin in his
underwear first & last thing every day. But the boat was a 1970s
racer-cruiser and not laid out for privacy. IMHO the captain was worth
it, but then we budgeted for it from the beginning.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King