You need a skipper unless the charter company accepts you or another guest as the qualified bareboat skipper. On fully crewed Aloia catamarans, a professional captain is already part of the crew.
Three common arrangements
Bareboat means an approved guest takes legal and practical responsibility. Skippered means the charterer hires a professional to operate an otherwise bareboat yacht. Fully crewed means the captain works with a chef and service/deck team as specified.
Do not assume ‘with skipper’ means meals and housekeeping are included. Confirm exactly who provisions, cooks, cleans and operates the tender.
When hiring a skipper is the right call
Hire one when qualifications are not accepted, experience is limited, the group does not want the workload, or the route includes conditions beyond the nominated sailor’s recent experience. Local knowledge is useful, but no skipper can guarantee a particular island or berth.
A skipper improves decision-making and reduces guest workload. The skipper still needs cooperation during mooring unless additional crew are included.
Accommodation, food and authority
The skipper requires an appropriate berth, often one of the yacht’s cabins. Clarify whether a forepeak is approved for crew and how this affects guest capacity. The charterer normally covers the skipper’s food as described in the agreement.
The skipper has final authority on safety, weather and yacht operation. Discuss preferences respectfully, but expect route changes when conditions require them.
Questions to ask before confirming
Ask who employs and insures the skipper, which costs are additional, what accommodation is required, what daily duties are included and whether a hostess or chef can be added.
For a holiday with integrated food and hospitality, compare the fully crewed Aloia fleet. For self-operated options, read the crewed and bareboat comparison.
Charter terms, weather, yacht specifications and port operations can change. Confirm current details with the yacht’s central agent, your broker, the captain and relevant local authorities.
