book2sail-scariest ship

Yachting is the epitome of leisurely pursuits and the perfect definition of a good time, in our humble opinion. Nonetheless, sailing in the past was nothing to be cheerful about and in many situations, it was an activity that was fraught with danger. Essentially a life at sea was characterized by diseases, battling navies and limited commodities. And pirates. Let’s not forget the pirates.

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Pirates pertaining to the ‘peg-leg and parrot’ variety are nowadays something that you’re most likely to encounter in a novel, a blockbuster movie, or at the most, a theme park. However, this stereotypical image of an 18th-century pirate is, to some extent, based on existing characters who plundered shoreside territories and merchant vessels alike. For instance, Blackbeard was probably one of the most notorious pirates to terrorize the Caribbean Sea and the eastern coast of Britain’s North American Colonies.

This fascinating video clip by the Smithsonian Channel manages to pack a lot of information in a short timeframe and provides a lot of interesting facts about pirating in general and Blackbeard’s legendary pirate ship specifically. For instance, pirate ships in the 18th century were not always the imposing sea vessels that became engrained in the collective imagination of readers and moviegoers, but very often were smaller ships called sloops. Nonetheless, as a pirate became more established, he was also more likely to start operating from larger armed vessels. This was the case of the infamous Blackbeard, who got hold of the French slave ship La Concorde and turned it into the legendary pirate ship Queen Anne’s Revenge.  Under Blackbeard’s command, the ship underwent several modifications that increased deck space, amped up the number canons from 16 to 40 and became a terrifying sight to behold.  However, the dominance of the Queen Anne’s Revenge was soon snuffed out as the ship sank only six months after being taken over by Blackbeard.

What can we say, no rest for the wicked, aye matey?

Frequently asked questions

  • 1
    What are some of the key preparations I should consider prior to my yacht charter?
    • Travel Documentation

      Always ensure you have some form of acceptable identification, in legible condition and valid.

      Medication

      Double check that both you and other individuals in your group remember to bring important medications that you are currently being prescribed, accounting for the amount of time you will be at sea.

      Money & Additional expenses

      It would be prudent to budget for slightly over what you anticipate spending. Charter related expenses will be made known, however you never know whether you will need something once travelling.

      Research

      Set aside some time look up the areas you intend on visiting, both whilst chartering (as part of your anticipated itinerary) and whilst travelling to the location at which you will begin your charter.

      Supplies

      As with any journey or holiday, ensure you have adequate toiletries, perhaps some favored foods and snacks.

      Clothing

      Bring the types of clothing that will, in your estimation, suit the weather conditions of the location in which you will be chartering. It may be handy to spend some time researching a few sailing blogs and weather forecasts.

      Equipment

      All necessary equipment should be found already aboard (including safety equipment and anything required to properly operate the vessel. Though you may like to bring a few extra mod-cons to ensure you have the best of experiences.

  • 2
    What is the best way to choose the right vessel and charter for me?
    • Choosing the best vessel for you and those joining you on your yacht charter, would be dependent on your personal preference. Though we recommend considering the following points:

      • Your level of experience
      • Where you will be chartering
      • The time of year and associated weather conditions
      • The ages and competence of both yourself and those in your group

      It would be very helpful for you to conduct some basic research pertaining to all of the above, by way of asking those who you know have chartered the type of vessel or been to the location you are considering, before. Yacht charter blogs and other relevant websites that will offer you an understanding of the key factors you should consider.

      And of course, we are more than happy to help you with your decision.

  • 3
    Do I need a licence to charter a yacht?
    • That all depends on where you intend to charter. If you would like to charter a yacht within Europe, the answer would be yes. It is important to remember that the correct licencing and/or documentation for your charter is your responsibility and we would strongly advise you to enquire into the legal prerequisites of your chosen charter region, taking care to note any differences if you are to cross maritime boarders.

      Regarding Europe, you will require an International Certificate of Competence, also known as the ICC.

  • 4
    What is an APA?
    • As a rule of thumb, the fee you pay for your charter, includes the rental of the vessel and the necessary crew to operate it, all other expenses associated with the charter are separate and are financed by the APA, which stands for the Advance provisioning allowance.

      The APA generally amounts to 30% of the total charter fee, though this may vary depending on the vessel.

      Dockage fees, fuel, communications and food & beverages will all be financed by the APA. Any remaining money from the APA at the end of the charter, will be returned to you.

  • 5
    What happens if the owner/captain does not show up, or is late?
    • All boat owners are bound to have someone meeting charterers on the day of charter. It is important that you as a charterer notify us if there is something wrong with your charter. For more information read the charterer’s policy.

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Charter a yacht with Book2Sail

Book2Sail makes you feel that when it comes to chartering a boat, there is no limitation. You can choose any form of boat at any time and anywhere (catamaran, sailboat, motorboat, jet ski). Whether you’re sailing in August with a catamaran to explore the Dalmatian coastline or spending Easter holidays in the French Riviera, you will find your dream boat.

Our team of chartering specialists are ready to assist you to make your chartering experience as easy as possible. We have different itineraries to cater for any type of activity you choose to do, once you are ashore.

Get in touch now and Book2Sail today.