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Geography and location have made the waters surrounding Trinidad and Tobago popular sailing and yachting spots for vacationers seeking fun on the sea. Most insurance companies require boats to spend the hurricane season in locations south of latitude 12 degrees. Trinidad and Tobago are located at latitude 10.5 and 11 degrees North, so while in their waters, boaters usually don't have to worry about their insurance. With recent improvements in docking facilities, sailing and yachting marinas have become some of the best places for boating in the Eastern Caribbean. Seamen are attracted to the island because of its safe harbors and the area's location outside the hurricane belt. The main ports on Trinidad are Chaguaramas and the Port of Spain, a commercial port where yachters only stop during times of emergency. The main ports on Tobago are Charlottesville and Scarborough. To dock at these ports, boaters must go through some basic clearance requirements. On Trinidad, sailors should land on port Chaguaramas, where entry formalities can be completed. Boaters are required to present a clearance-out certificate from the last port they visited when docking in Chaguaramas. For any questions or marina information in Trinidad, boaters can call the customs office at 868-634-4341 or contact immigration at 868-634-4341 on the island. On Tobago, sailboats and yachts can gain clearance at the Charlottesville port, which has protected anchorage. Both Trinidad and Tobago hold annual boating events and regattas, which are popular among vacationers. One of the most exciting and popular events is Carnival, during which vacationers may spend weeks exploring the waters off the shores of Trinidad and Tobago. Many travelers charter yachts and sailboats for water excursions, and the waters tend to get somewhat crowded during this time of year, so be sure to make any necessary boating arrangements before your vacation. For any questions and information on sailing and yachting on the islands, boaters can contact the Trinidad and Tobago Sailing Association at P.O. Box 3140, Carenage Post Office, Trinidad West Indies, or by phone at 868-634-4210 or 868-634-4519 on the island. SafetySailing and yachting are fun activities for your vacation, but boaters should always keep safety in mind while on the waters around Trinidad and Tobago. Consider these pointers before setting sail on your ocean adventures:
Charter StyleVacationers ready to take to the sea can find charters regardless of their sailing experience. Charter companies have boats available for novices or experienced sailors. The types of boat charters available at most charter companies are bareboats, skippered charters, and crewed charters. Most experienced sailors will want to charter a bareboat. This type of charter comes with a boat and not much else. You are the crew and have total responsibility for the navigation of the boat. Bareboat charters are best for those who have had a good deal of experience on the water. Also, bareboat charters require some familiarity with the waters in which you are traveling, so boaters should have some knowledge of Trinidad and Tobago's waters. Sometimes charter companies will recommend that boaters take a skippered charter, based on the vacationer's experience and familiarity with the area. Skippers provide tour guide services as well as navigate the boat. This option may be best for those who have had some boating experience but who may not be comfortable with the area in which they are sailing. Crewed charters are a good idea for those who have had little to no sailing experience. Crewed charters come with a full crew, which includes a cook and a skipper. Travelers can sit back and enjoy the ride on crewed charters because they offer everything you could need on your yachting adventures. The captain will ultimately make all the decisions, including safety calls like weather and obstacles that may cause changes in itinerary. Chartering a YachtThere are two types of charter companies you will be able to choose from when getting a charter boat: large and small. The larger charter companies provide more guarantees than the smaller one. If this is you first charter, you should probably work with a larger company in case the boat you originally wanted is not available. Unlike a small company, a large company will be able to provide a boat that is almost the same if not larger at no extra cost. If you're not sure about what kind of charter is right for you or you have questions about a particular charter company, a charter broker can assist you in finding the right charter for you. Another way to choose a charter company is by tier. There are two tiers of charter companies. First tier charter companies have the newest boats, which are stocked with the most current and up-to-date equipment and technology. The boats found at first tier companies are about 4 to 5 years old or younger and have only been used by that first tier company. Second tier companies often acquire their boats from the fleets of first tier companies. The ships at second tier companies are usually more affordable than first tiers, but they may not have all the technological extras like CD players and cellular phones. Charter BrokersCharter brokers can help you make many important decisions about your charter, including finding the right crew for your trip. Charter brokers represent the owner of the yacht and help find both crewed and bareboat charters. Having a crew that fits your needs is important to the enjoyment of your charter. You will want to have a crew that is both knowledgeable and with personalities that fit your style. Charter brokers are available at no extra cost because they are paid by the charter companies. Vacationers can find information about charter brokers from trade organizations like the American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA) and Charter Yacht Broker's Association (CYBA), which have members around the world. The following charter brokers may be helpful in finding the right charter accommodations for you:
There are also some companies located in Florida:
Choosing a YachtChoosing the boat for your charter excursion is as important as which company you choose. Consider all your needs to determine an appropriate ship size and which equipment to request. The size of the ship is directly related to how comfortable you will be. Boats with three cabins and two bathrooms are the most popular charters. These ships are approximately 36 to 50 feet long. The larger the ship, the more skill is required to navigate. Monohull boats are popular charters, but travelers with children may not be comfortable on these boats because the walls are thin plywood, which allows most sounds to penetrate. Vacationers with families and novice boaters should consider chartering a catamaran, which experiences less of the sea's motion. If you want to bring aboard a few extras, such as kayaks, canvases, or snorkeling equipment, ask if these items are included with the boat. Costs and PaperworkDifferent types of charters come at different prices. Crewed charters are usually the most expensive. The crew will expect a tip of about 10 to 15 percent of the overall cost of the ship. These tips make up about 30 percent of the crew's overall income, so remember to include this in your overall budget. Skippers usually charge a daily fee of about $80(USD) to $120(USD), which doesn't include meals. Items such as kayaks and snorkeling equipment are generally not included in the cost of the charter and may cost extra. The time of year you set sail is also important when considering the budget of your trip. Most charters cost more during the high season, which is during the winter. More people vacation during this time of year, and almost everything in the Caribbean is going to cost a little more. Vacationers should consider going on their trip with another group to split the costs. After getting any information back from your charter company, be sure to read all the small print to see how insurance and deposits are billed. In case of any mistakes, put all charges on a credit card. Also, find out about the company's cancellation policy. Most charters can't be refunded within 60 days of the departure date. Chartering a yacht or boat is a great way to explore the waters of Trinidad and Tobago. Related Articles
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Wednesday May 14, 2008
