FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

General Sailing Questions

1. I would like to specify which boat I would be on for my sailboat cruise.
2. What do I need to bring?
3. Do I need to bring PFD's (life jackets)?
4. What if I arrive at the boat and have forgotten something?
5. How many people can I take?
6. Can I take a boat out by myself?
7. Can I take my children on sailing charters or sailing lessons?
8. Can I bring my dog or cat?
9. Can I order a gift certificate?
10. Are there any hotels near the marina?

Sailing Lessons

1. How soon can I start my lessons?
2. Can I take sailboat lessons if I am under 16 years old?
3. Is there sales tax on lessons?
4. Can I take a family member or friend along on the lessons?
5. Can I stay the night on the boat during the sailing course?
6. When do I pay?
7. What form of payment do you accept?
8. What is your cancellation policy?
9. What if the charter/lesson is cancelled because of weather?

Sailing Charters with a Captain

1. Can I do a custom charter? I would like it to be longer/shorter or a different time of day, etc.
2. Where can I sail?
3. I would like to sail to a location not listed on your website.
4. Is there sales tax on sailing charters?
5. Can I bring my fishing gear?
6. Can I bring my scuba diving gear?
7. Do you provide meals on my charter?
8. When do I pay?
9. What form of payment do you accept?
10. What is your cancellation/rescheduling policy?
11. What if the charter/lesson is cancelled because of weather?

Bareboat Sailing

• For FAQs on Bareboat Charters: Click Here

Answers

General FAQs

1. I would like to specify which boat I would be on for my sailboat cruise.

Please call and we will let you know our schedule, so you can choose the boat you prefer.

2. What do I need to bring?

A big smile, and a keen sense of adventure! Clear soled shoes (not black or blue), sun block, a dry change of clothes for each day aboard, poncho, swimsuit, towel, snorkel gear, camera, favorite music CDs, food, drinks, snacks, a good book, any gadgets you just can't live without. If you are going out overnight we will email you a complete list of recommendations at the time of booking.

3. Do I need to bring PFD's (life jackets)?

There are 6 Adult PFD’s (Personal Flotation Devices) on board. If you have children, you will need to bring PFD’s which fit them properly.

4. What if I arrive at the boat and have forgotten something?

There are several shops in Fisherman’s Village with limited sundry items. There is a convenience store ½ mile away on Marion St, and Publix supermarket is less than 2 miles away on Highway 41.

5. How many people can I take?

Day charters are limited to a maximum of 6 passengers, and 4 guests for overnights.

6. Can I take a boat out by myself?

For more information on Bareboat Charters: Click Here

7. Can I take my children on sailing charters or sailing lessons?

Preschoolers are not well-suited for sailboat cruises.

8. Can I bring my dog or cat?

Pets are not permitted on board any of our sailboats.

9. Can I order a gift certificate?

Yes we have gift certificates. Please contact us and let us know whether you would like one for a charter or lessons.

10. Are there any hotels near the marina?

• There are rooms right next to the marina, here in Fisherman’s Village.
• About a mile away in downtown Punta Gorda there is a Best Western called PG Waterfront.
• If you would like a bit more luxury, there are both the Four Points by Sheraton and a Wyvern in Punta Gorda.
• There are several other hotels a bit farther away in Punta Gorda, and quite a few in Port Charlotte.

Sailing Lesson FAQs

1. How soon can I start my lessons?

Please contact us at least 10 days before you wish to begin the on-board portion of your lesson. This gives you time to study before you sail and take your exam.

2. Can I take sailboat lessons if I am under 16 years old?

You may take lessons if at least one parent/guardian is present on the boat.

3. Is there sales tax on lessons?

There is no sales tax on sailing lessons. (There is sales tax on charters).

4. Can I take a family member or friend along on the lessons?

Because lessons are for students who are learning and testing their sailing skills it is not an option to bring an extra person.

A great alternative is to schedule a charter with a Captain, and do as much or little of the sailing as you wish.

5. Can I stay the night on the boat during the sailing course?

During most classes the boat is not available at night, so you will need to have a hotel room. (BKB101, BCC103, NAV105, ASA107, ASA114, ASA117, etc)

BBC104 and ACC106: For these two classes you will sleep on the boat as part of the course.

Private Classes: If you would like, you can add on to your private class and stay out on the water. To stay overnight at anchor during your lessons instead of coming in for the evening is $175 per person, per night. If you would like to stay at a different marina, pricing depends on their dockage fees.

6. When do I pay?

A 25% deposit will be taken when we confirm availability of ship and crew for the time you requested your charter/lesson. The balance is due before you arrive at the boat.

7. What form of payment do you accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Checks, Money Orders and Cash.

8. What is your cancellation policy?

-CANCELLATIONS: A full refund is given when cancellations are prior to 30 days of the sailing date. If you cancel your trip within 30 days of your sail you will forfeit your deposit.

-RESCHEDULING: If you contact us prior to 48 hours of the sailing date to reschedule, there is no penalty.)

9. What if the charter/lesson is cancelled because of weather?

If your trip gets cancelled or shortened because of severe weather, you will be offered an appropriate prorated refund or a rebooking. Weather decisions are made at the boat.

Charter FAQs

1. Can I do a custom charter? I would like it to be longer/shorter or a different time of day, etc.

Please contact us for custom packages, we will be happy to work around your schedule.

2. Where can I sail?

You can sail among all the islands as far north as Tampa, and all the way down to Naples, or even over to Dry Tortugas.

3. I would like to sail to a location not listed on your website.

Contact us, we will sail you anywhere along the Florida coast, departing from Punta Gorda.

4. Is there sales tax on sailing charters?

Yes, there is 7% sales tax added onto all charters.

5. Can I bring my fishing gear?

Our boats are not outfitted for fishing, but you are welcome to bring your gear along on a charter. Fishermen will need to abide by all Florida Fish and Wildlife rules; make sure you know the fishing seasons, have fish identification literature and have your license with you. A fishing license may be obtained online at: www.myfwc.com.

6. Can I bring my scuba diving gear?

Scuba gear is not allowed as the tanks are hard on boat surfaces, and the boats are not equipped with emergency gear or oxygen.

7. Do you provide meals on my charter?

There is a small kitchen aboard and you are welcome to bring a picnic to keep on ice, and non-perishable food. For longer charters plan to stop in a marina each night to eat at one of the restaurants.

8. When do I pay?

A 25% deposit will be taken when we confirm availability of ship and crew for the time you requested your charter/lesson. The balance is due before you arrive at the boat.

9. What form of payment do you accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Checks, Money Orders and Cash.

10. What is your cancellation/rescheduling policy?

-CANCELLATIONS: A full refund is given when cancellations are prior to 30 days of the sailing date. If you cancel your trip within 30 days of your sail you will forfeit your deposit.

-RESCHEDULING: If you contact us prior to 48 hours of the sailing date to reschedule, there is no penalty.)

11. What if the charter/lesson is cancelled because of weather?

If your trip gets cancelled or shortened because of severe weather, you will be offered an appropriate prorated refund or a rebooking. Weather decisions are made at the boat.