Bareboat Charter Sailing Lessons

People contact me all the time to ask to rent one of my boats without a captain. What they are asking for is commonly known in the charter industry as a bareboat charter; a boat without a captain to operate the vessel. Most charter companies, like Buzzards Bay Yacht Charters (BBYC) prefer to rent their vessels with one of their Coast Guard licensed captains included. The BBYC Sailing School is designed to support beginning and aspiring sailors to develop their skills so that they can eventually take out a bareboat charter. Our training vessel Blue Swan is a Pearson Ensign 22. Our half day beginner lessons are available for up to 3 passengers at a time. We keep the number low so that everyone stays busy with different responsibilities with the safe and efficient operation of the boat. Our goal is to develop your skills enough to sail Blue Swan without instruction. For beginners, this will require at least 3-4 lessons, and an on the water, assessment of your ability to rig and de-rig the boat; pick-up and drop a mooring, a series of tacks and jibes and successfully executing a man-over-board drill. Once you have achieved the skills to sail “solo,” Blue Swan will become your bareboat training vessel and you can take her out for 2-hour sails (subject to availability) whenever you would like.