Mistakes to Avoid on Boat Charter

Proper navigation planning, quality equipment, professional briefings, and common sense makes most boat charters go smoothly and make it a memorable and happy memory. However, even the most experienced sailor might end up making a mistake.

To make sure that you have a smooth yacht sailing adventure along the way, here are a few mistakes that you need to avoid.

1. Running on Too Low Batteries

The battery of the boat will keep the drink and food refrigerated, charge the computer batteries and run electronics and lights. So, it goes with saying that the demands for batteries are constant. In case the batteries get too low, it might reach a point where it will not be able to accept the charge from the alternator of the motor. Hence, you are going to end up being without power.

Make sure that you keep an eye on the amp meter of the system. The batteries should be at least 60% charged at any point.

2. Driving the Outboard Motor on the Beach

When you are on shallow water or ashore, you should be careful. The outboard of the dinghy will give you great freedom to explore the quitter covers where you will be able to stay away from the crowd. All you have to do is shear your propeller pin and you are going to be rowing while you wait for the replacement. This is an easy method as most of the outboards come with spare pins that are located close to the motor. However, you will need the necessary tools and the mechanical idea.

3. Leaving Your Dinghy Unsecured

After a tiring day of transferring bodies and store boards, you might fail to keep your dingy secure. Amidst the confusion, people forget to tie the painter. So, make a rule. The first person to be out of the dingy will take the painter and will in unloading the dingy. Then hand over the painter to the skipper. Hence, the last person who is out of the dinghy is ultimately responsible for securing it.

4. Using Power Winches Excessively

A large charter boat comes with power winches. This makes the job of the crew much easier. The crew members who do not have an idea about the power winches might get into trouble. This result in;

• The fittings being ripped off from the deck.
• The sails being torn apart.

When you start the power winch, you have to make sure that all the lines have been released and are clear to run. Also, make sure to check the progress of the winch and the job it is performing. It has to be a two-person job. One has to winch and the other will monitor the result. In case it loads unexpectedly, the noise coming from the motor is going to change. So, take your finger to the power button and check what is still secured or caught. At times, when there is a high load on the line already, the winch is not going to give you a clear warning. Thus, you should have a person who will observe the progress.