CW Readers: We Want Your Bareboat Tips!

[bonnier-admin]

What’s in your chartering bag of tricks? Tell us and we’ll publish the best ones in CW’s annual bareboat vacation issue August 2010.

Do you pack two swimsuits, or carry along a pair of sunglasses just in case? Name your favorite snorkeling spots and dive sites, from Thailand to Tortola; the best water toys for your brand of fun; tunes you listen to while you cruise; the anchorages you settle into to escape the crowds.
Share your must-haves: cocktails to make, best books, beaches, and bars you scope out throughout the world’s stunning vacation sailing grounds.
Shutterbugs, tell us about your winning cameras, from throw-away to fancy.
Gourmands, we want to know about the Mediterranean open-air markets you stroll through, the tavernas you poke into, the spices and perfumes and locally made crafts and jewelry and artwork you furtively stow in your luggage to bring back home.
We want to hear from you! Include pictures, and remember to identify the people, boat, and location. Post your responses here and to deputy editor Elaine Lembo (Elaine.lembo@cruisingworld.com).

[bareboatingtheworld]

I've dedicated my blog bareboatingtheworld.com to this very question summarizing what I've learned over the past 10 years bareboat chartering from Croatia to the Seychelles.

Like a bareboating for dummies book, the blog offers general bareboating advice sharing tips picked up along the way. From using a 1.5L plastic bottle to collect biodegradable waste to bringing your favorite spices in small plastic bags, the tips are organized into four categories:

• before departing - what to bring; boat checkout; guest considerations
• provisioning - provisioning; food and drink guidelines: refrigeration
• living aboard - meals, water conservation; personal hygiene; trash
• sailing stuff - passage planning; anchorages; system monitoring

There's also destination specific insights (using the same structure) for each of four trips to Croatia, the Sporades and Ionian Islands in Greece, Sea of Cortez off of La Paz, the Seychelles, and Southern Sardinia. Each trip also includes a mapped itinerary and photos of that particular bareboat charter.

As a part time sailor, bareboat chartering is the only way I get to enjoy this passion. Sharing these experiences with those just starting out or other "passionati" just keeps bringing these great experiences back to life.

Gaetano
bareboatingtheworld