We sail it, you plan it
A skipper takes the responsibility off you without taking the week off you. They handle the boat, the passages, the berthing and the paperwork; where you go and how long you stay is still yours to decide over breakfast. For most crews this is the sweet spot — the freedom of bareboat without the licence, the watch bill or the three-in-the-morning worry about whether the anchor is holding.
Our skippers work these waters every season. They know which cala is untenable in an afternoon southerly, which harbour master actually answers the radio, and which restaurant is worth the dinghy ride. Ask them and they will teach you as much of the boat as you want to learn. Say nothing and they will simply run it.
Who takes a skipper
Add a chef or a hostess
A skipper runs the boat. A chef and a hostess run the days. Either can be added to any skippered charter, together or separately.
Chef and hostess are quoted separately from the yacht and each need a berth, so how much crew a boat can carry depends on the boat. We will tell you honestly what fits rather than squeezing a crew of three onto a yacht that sleeps eight.
Where the skipper sleeps
The honest answer is that it depends on the yacht. Larger monohulls and most catamarans have a dedicated skipper's cabin, often a forepeak or a fourth cabin, and the skipper is out of your way entirely. On smaller boats the skipper takes a saloon berth, which works perfectly well but costs you some privacy. It is worth asking early, because it changes which yachts genuinely suit your party — we would far rather move you up a size than pretend a boat sleeps eight when it sleeps six and a skipper.
The three, side by side
A skipper is the middle of three ways to take a Sailing Dreams charter. The difference is not the boat — it is how much of the week you want to run yourself.
| Bareboat | Skipper | Hidden Secrets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who sails the boat | You | Our skipper | Our crew |
| Who plans the week | You | You | We do |
| Licence needed | Yes | No | No |
| Crew aboard | None | Skipper, plus chef or hostess | Skipper, chef, hostess |
| Best for | Qualified crews | Most people | Handing it all over |
Practical notes
- Cost: The skipper's fee is quoted separately from the yacht and charged per day.
- Berth: A skipper needs a bunk. On most catamarans that is a dedicated cabin; on smaller yachts, a saloon berth.
- Food: Crew are usually fed by the charter party or given a daily allowance. We confirm which when we quote.
- Licence: None required. You need no qualifications whatsoever for a skippered charter.
- Tipping: Customary at the end of a good week, never expected.
