How to Book
Check availability and pricing on our fleet page.
All bareboat charterers must complete a Charter Application covering sailing experience, crew, and skill assessment.
A 50% confirmation deposit secures your yacht and dates. Your reservation is not confirmed until the deposit is received.
We'll send your charter contract to e-sign. Please complete it at your earliest convenience.
Your remaining balance is due 60 days before your charter start date.
Charter Durations
Our yachts require a 4-day minimum during peak season. Shorter charters are available as follows:
| Duration | Booking Window | Confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Day | Call within 1 week of sail date | Confirmed 48 hours before departure |
| 2 Days | Reserve anytime in season | Confirmed 2 weeks prior |
| 3 Days | Reserve anytime in season | Confirmed 3 weeks prior |
| 4+ Days | Reserve anytime — book early | Confirmed when deposit received |
For 2- and 3-day charters, we hold your dates tentatively. If a longer charter requests your dates before the confirmation window, we'll give you the option to change dates or switch boats. If no conflict arises, we confirm and collect payment at the start of your window.
Payment
All charter payments are handled directly by our office — not through the online booking system. After submitting your reservation, our team will contact you to collect payment. Your booking is not confirmed until your deposit has been received.
ACH / Bank Transfer — Available, no processing fee. Contact the office to arrange.
Credit/Debit Cards — Visa, MasterCard, Discover. A 2% processing fee applies.
Personal Check — Accepted for charter payments (not damage deposits). Mail to our office.
Personal checks are not accepted for the damage deposit.
Deposits & Fees
Confirmation Deposit
A 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservation. For charters over 10 days, a 30% deposit applies. The deposit is applied toward your charter balance.
Refundable Damage Deposit
Required upon arrival. Accepted as a credit card hold, money order, or cashier's check — personal checks not accepted. Refunded within 14 days of charter end, pending any damages.
An additional $1,000 damage deposit is required for charters that cruise the North Channel or Door County, Wisconsin.
Damage Waiver Insurance
The required $30/day damage waiver protects against losses exceeding the damage deposit. A yacht's hull insurance deductible is typically much greater than the deposit held — the waiver covers this gap.
Cancellation Policy
We cannot make exceptions to the cancellation policy for any reason. Trip insurance is relatively inexpensive and provides important protection. We recommend Travel Guard or Allianz.
| Timing | Policy |
|---|---|
| 60+ days before charter | Deposit may be applied to another date in the same season on the same boat. $250 change fee applies. |
| Less than 60 days | All payments forfeited. If we rebook your exact dates, we refund minus a 25% processing fee. |
| Second reschedule | All payments forfeited regardless of timing. |
Deposits are non-refundable and cannot be carried to a future season.
Weather
We do not consider inclement weather a reason to cancel or reschedule a charter of more than one day. During early or late season we can be somewhat flexible — contact the office to discuss.
Briefings & Debriefings
Check-In Briefing
Charters begin at 9:00 AM on your contract start date. Briefings take 60–90 minutes depending on preparation. Crews with completed inventory sheets receive priority briefing times.
Complete your inventory sheet before arriving. Organized crews get on the water sooner.
Check-Out Debriefing
Charters end at 4:00 PM. We strongly encourage returning to the marina by 2:30 PM on your final day to allow time for the fuel dock, debriefing, and unloading.
Sailing with a Captain or Instructor
Accommodations
The captain should have their own stateroom. They may use the salon berth only if agreed to before the charter.
Meals & Tipping
Factor the captain into your provisioning. If dining ashore, it is customary to cover their meal. Tipping is not required but always appreciated.
Sleep Aboard & Late Departure
Engine Hours
We allow up to 5 engine hours per day. Additional hours are charged at $200 per hour. Your allowance is calculated as 5 hours × number of charter days — unused hours from one day can be used on another.
A 5-day charter has a 25-hour allowance. Using 8 hours one day and 2 hours on other days is fine as long as the total stays under 25.
Fueling & Pump Out
Yachts must be returned with a full fuel tank and empty holding tanks. Plan to stop at the pump and fuel dock before returning to your slip.
Failure to stop at the fuel and pump-out dock will result in a $400 fee charged against your damage deposit.
Return to the marina by 2:30 PM on your final day to allow time for the fuel dock, debriefing, and unloading before your 4:00 PM checkout.
The Island Clause
If a non-essential component fails, it does not automatically constitute grounds for a refund or boat change. Equipment failures happen — experienced skippers continue sailing.
In the event of a breakdown on Beaver Island, Mackinac Island, or any location not accessible by road, we cannot guarantee expedited service. Response times may be measured in days. Thoroughly check all vessel systems before departing for a remote location. If not comfortable with the possibility of an extended island stay, plan your itinerary to stay within reach of the mainland.
Additional Policies
Cleaning Fee
$250 if the boat is returned dirty. Damage to soft goods from smashed insects may result in full deposit forfeiture.
No Pets / No Smoking
Pets of any kind are not permitted. Smoking is prohibited aboard all charter yachts. Strictly enforced.
Yacht Availability
If your booked yacht becomes unavailable, we will place you on a similar boat. Week-long charters take precedence.
Lost & Found
Carefully inspect the yacht before departure. We cannot be responsible for locating or mailing items left on board.
Rates
Rates may change without notice. Published prices are generally honored for the calendar year in which they are quoted.
Standard Inventory
View our Standard Yacht Inventory for a complete list of equipment included with every charter.