April 5, 2011
As yachting prepares for summer 2011, captains shared these bits of advice on how to make the most of it.
Do the research, even though plans will probably change radically hundreds of times. Make reservations, if possible, and have back-up plans, if not. Plan passages with plenty of room to allow for weather and to give crew plenty of time to get ready for guests. Crew are the very best at getting local info when in the cruising area.
Make all the plans for dockage ahead of time if possible. It gets difficult to find closer to the season.
Get out there and keep the boss enjoying his boat.
Even if your trip is the same old "milk run" and you are bored with seeing the same locations, don't forget that for some of your crew it may be the first time they have ever been there. Just because you are an "old salt," remember that somebody held your hand on that first wash down, too.
Three points: prepare, prepare, prepare.
To make the most of it, start early and book everything in the areas you might be cruising. My boss always thinks it's easier to cancel than book.
Each day is a new experience and should be met with the most excitement and enthusiasm. Attitude is everything.
Correct owner education to the expectations to yachting and booking early are the most basic pouints to avoid disappointment.
Enjoy cruising and making your boss's investment feel worthwhile and fun. If he's happy, we're happy.”
Places like Abacos in the Bahamas need to get their act together with providing stable electric power, otherwise yachts just won't come. Marsh Harbour and Hopetown have been a disaster the past few years. We won't go back there again till we can get confirmation that electric power is available reliably at the docks. If we want to run our genset for power, we don't need to pay for expensive dockage.As for the Caribbean, security issues in previously desirable places such as St. Maarten and Antigua make those destinations out of the question for the next few years, and St. Bart’s doesn't have dockage to speak of, except for megayachts.The rather limited and declining reasonable destinations makes it more likely that we and others like us will be getting out of yachting altogether.
Put foreign destination magazines on the coffee table and in the owner's head.
Be patient, don’t rush. Rushing makes crews make mistakes. Better to be safe or late than sorry.
Get to know your neighbors.
As owners are often changing the plan, suggest to the crew that they not be too committed to personal plans to meet friends and/or relatives that require making firm dates. Sharing this with the crew may help to quell any anxieties that may result from such a change. This is especially true with crew fairly new to the industry.
Be careful about agents fees around the Med, especially Italy. Venice, Capri and Portofino all have very expensive agency fees.
Want dockage in the Northeast for the summer? Make sure to bring a large bankroll for dockmaster "gratuities".
Plan your cruising around the natural seasons.
Drink lots of water. Wear sunscreen. Smile. Be ready for the unexpected and for activation of a hurricane contingency plan.
As much as I hate cancellations, make your reservations early for the hot spots. Better to cancel than not get in. But, if you know of a change of plans, give the marinas as much heads-up as possible. Being courteous always wins.
Keep the shinny side up and have fun.
Maintenance is to be completed in the off season. When the season starts, it’s all go, so make sure that everything is 100 percent (as far as possible). Don't leave employing crew or maintenance for the last minute. Be prepared. Bon Voyage and wishing all a very cruise-y summer.
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