When you charter a bareboat (a boat that comes to you without crew), you had better know what you are doing! Fortunately, there are some truly world-class bareboat sailing schools up and down the East Coast, from Newport to St. Thomas. In their courses, you can find that confidence and familiarity with sailboat systems that will allow you to "create your own vacation."

Bareboat chartering is thrilling. For a few days, a gorgeous sailboat is entirely at your command. You will be skipper, and in charge of navigation, course setting, and the safety and well-being of the crew.

Find Bareboat Sailing Schools

The right course will help you to adopt these new skills quickly and effectively. The American Sailing Association certifies a few schools that really exceed expectations, and it behooves all sailors to find one of these schools to help them further their ocean-going education. There is no substitute for experience, and ASA-certified instructors tend to be some of the best.

What's nice about chartering a bareboat is that you get all the pleasure of skippering a sailboat without any of the hassles of ownership. This means no berthing fees, no maintenance and repairs, and a boat that is waiting for you whenever you are ready for it. The right school can get you ready for bareboat chartering whenever you want to take advantage of this opportunity for adventure.