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Gulf Coast Sailing Club

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Gulf Coast Sailing Club

Chartering Program

The goal of the Chartering program is to get more Gulf Coast Sailing Club members on a boat and enjoying sailing in our beautiful Florida waters and beyond, to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Greece, Italy or wherever the winds take you!  Our experience abroad will help you decide, plan and execute a successful charter.

BahamasSea of Abaco
BVIBritish Virgin Islands
GreeceSaronic Islands
ItalyThe Mediterranean
Next?Wherever the winds take you
Groups or on your ownA flotilla with friends from the club or a trip with just your family.  We can help with either one, and with finding the right boat for your crew.
Learn as you goIf you don't have your certifications yet, ask us about educational charters.  You can earn them while you cruise.
Explore from the waterThere's no better way to see amazing places than by boat.  Anchor in quiet coves, stroll small harbor towns and wake up somewhere new every day.
How we helpFrom the first idea to back at the dock
  • Identify charter opportunities available locally in Southwest Florida and in the islands.
  • Educate and promote opportunities for both groups and individuals.
  • Guidance on booking your charter.
  • Preparing and provisioning for your charter.
  • The Do's and Don'ts.
  • Educational charters.
  • Our charter information packet with all the known chartering opportunities in Southwest Florida.  Ask us for a copy.
Email us about a charter

Ways to Charter

Bareboat or captained · Monohull or catamaran

Bareboat

You're the skipper

On a bareboat charter, the charter company hands you the boat and it's yours for the week.  You'll need the skills and experience to handle the boat on your own, and the charter company will want to see your sailing resume and certifications like ASA or US Sailing.

If you're working toward your certifications, ask us about educational charters.

  • You're the skipper
  • ASA or US Sailing certifications
  • Sailing resume
  • Most freedom

Captained & Crewed

Sit back and enjoy the ride

If you'd rather relax, hire a captain, or a captain and crew, and let them do the work.  Add a cook and it becomes a luxurious charter, with someone else handling the sailing, the anchoring and the meals.

No certifications needed, and it's a great way to learn from a pro along the way.

  • No certifications needed
  • Captain or full crew
  • Meals can be included
  • Great for groups

Monohull or catamaran?

Both are available almost everywhere you can charter.  We can help you decide which one fits your crew and where you're going.

Monohull

The classic sailing experience.  She heels, she points and she feels like a sailboat.  Usually the lower cost option.

Catamaran

More room, more privacy and a lot less heeling.  A shallow draft for places like the Bahamas, and a big favorite with groups and families.

Where We've Helped Members Charter

Bahamas · BVI · Greece · Italy

GCSC has already helped members charter in the Bahamas, the BVI's, Greece and Italy.  Here are a few of the places we've been.

Chart of the Sea of Abaco, Bahamas

The Sea of Abaco

Abaco, Bahamas

The Abacos are a short hop from Florida and one of the best cruising grounds anywhere.  The Sea of Abaco is protected by a string of barrier cays, so you get easy sailing in clear, shallow water, with a new harbor or anchorage just a few miles away every day.  If you're looking for your first island charter, this is a great place to start.

  • Marsh HarbourThe hub of the Abacos, with marinas and provisioning.
  • Hope TownThe candy-striped lighthouse on Elbow Cay and a picture-perfect harbor.
  • Man-O-War CayA quiet island with a long boatbuilding tradition.
  • Great Guana CayMiles of beach on the ocean side.
  • Green Turtle CayThe historic Loyalist town of New Plymouth.
  • Whale Cay PassageThe one spot where you go outside, so keep an eye on the weather.
  • Protected water
  • Clear, shallow water
  • Catamaran friendly
  • Close to Florida
Route map of the BVI charter, April 2022

BVI Adventure

British Virgin Islands · April 2022

Eight people on one 53' monohull spent nine days out of Road Town, Tortola, with stops at Virgin Gorda and the Bitter End, Anegada, Cane Garden Bay, Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, Marina Cay and Peter Island before heading back to base.  The BVI's are a great place for a first charter, with short hops between islands and protected water.

  • 9 days
  • 1 boat
  • 8 people
  • 53' monohull
Route map of the Greece sailing flotilla, September 2024

Greece Sailing Flotilla

Saronic Islands · September 2024

Three sailboats, 20 people and one captain sailed the Saronic Islands south of Athens, with stops at Methana, Porto Cheli, Spetses and Poros before finishing at Zea Marina.  A flotilla is a great way to charter as a group, with everyone on their own boat and meeting up in port along the way.

  • 3 sailboats
  • 20 people
  • 1 captain
  • 174 nautical miles

Chartering with GCSC

Start planning your charter

  • Tell us your ideaWhere you'd like to go, when, and who's coming along.
  • Pick your charterBareboat or captained, monohull or catamaran, and the right charter company.
  • Book and prepareGuidance on booking, preparing and provisioning, plus the Do's and Don'ts.
  • Go sailing!Enjoy the trip, and come back and tell us all about it.
Email us to get started
Sailboats at anchor in the Bahamas

If you're thinking about a charter, anywhere, email us at chartering@gulfcoastsailingclub.org and let's start planning.  Keep Sailing Fun!