The first route.
I, like many yachtsmen when it also was the first charter, which I will never forget. For a variety of reasons. First it was the first and for this reason will not be forgotten. Secondly, it was the first diving when the "me no wipe" - I fully tasted the weight of responsibility and the crew and the boat. By coincidence, this charter was all - from almost 60 knots of wind and ending completely "plush weather."
Since then passed about 30 thousand miles, and let me give some advice to those who are planning your first route.
The region should choose the same place where you were practice when receiving his captain's license. It is easier from a psychological standpoint, moreover, weather, local conditions, you will have a little familiar, and developing the route will be easier to navigate.
If, however, your choice will fall on the new region, it is not a problem - the main pre-designed route.
Since the first charter and is the continuation of the functions of training, but do not forget that it is still more than the rest. Explore the possibility of the area and determine the route, please note that the cost would be to look at the beach, historical, natural and affordable underwater objects. Study publications and recommendations of those who have already visited these places. From what you see on the beach, admire or disappointed, depends largely on your aftertaste ... and how soon you want to back into the sea. I always recommend Boat Adventure "over" - the route to the places which are heard, read, watched, that interest is unique because of how the objects much more interesting and memorable for a long time. Those swimming, where some port tavern replaced by others, at some point merge into ordinary and not very memorable episode.
Almost every one of my routes traveled, which was devoted to a particular history and was "on the march" - I was looking for the naval base of the Germans in the Aegean Sea, Russian traces in the Mediterranean, the sunken Russian ship in the Cyclades. At first it was just curiosity, then there were articles and essays about the past and what they saw, then there were films about the adventures of a yacht that turned into a long-running series "Russian trace" My Planet channel.
Plan to start small daily crossings, no more than 15 - 20 miles. Avoid night transitions - do not hurt either himself or the team. You and daytime enough adrenaline injection.
Learn sailing directions, because it gives a fairly complete information about the upcoming area of navigation.
It is necessary to foresee the possibility of day of call for lunch, swimming, and above all a change of scenery for you and the crew. You quite possibly want more practice, and they bathe and drink beer in the coastal tavern. Their opinion is also worth considering.
Provide the ability to call in an intermediate point in the case of bad weather - forecasts tend to sometimes not true.
Study local conditions, planned approach to all places in the marina (or bay), and in particular the conditions of mooring or anchorage. How comfortable parking in this place, and in any weather. Mooring or anchor, a soil. At what the weather is not worth to go to this place.
With me there were times when the approach of the night even had to refuse - the wind, the lack of wiggle room would turn the boat into an elephant in a china shop.
Try not to go to places that you do not know, especially at dusk as possible underwater dangers that could damage the steering pen mooring or anchorage, you simply will not see.
Watch the weather forecast. I mean and short-term weather forecasts and even the formation of the weather in this particular location with reference to seasonality. Watch for changing weather conditions on the route. Moreover, not only watch the clouds and wind - consider how to behave in front of reaching the boat (of course if any exist). If they start laying, so soon it will get to you.
And last - I think that the danger is closer than it actually is. And so the general recommendation - make your camping adventure with a plus sign, bright, diverse, informative and safe. Then he will be remembered for a long time
My first yacht charter
