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We handle the boat, captain, and logistics—you get your friends together for an unforgettable adventure. No sailing experience needed.
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Curated yacht experiences perfect for your crew: Adventure,Social, or Chill
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have sailing experience?
No sailing experience is necessary! Your participation level can be tailored to your desires. You might be called upon to do something easy, but you’ll always get thorough and safe instruction first. We believe that handling the lines and contributing to the sailing is part of the adventure and will increase your enjoyment of the trip. However, if you want an entirely hands-off experience for the entire week, the skipper can do most things without assistance.
What is included in my quote?
Everything included in your quote:
- Professional skipper
- Fully equipped yacht
- Bedding and towels
- Basic cleaning supplies
- Safety equipment
- Dinghy with outboard motor
- Onboard amenities (kitchen equipment, etc.)
- 24/7 support
- Trip planning assistance
Understanding Variable Costs: Your sailing adventure can be as luxurious or budget-friendly as you choose. The only costs not included in your quote are food, fuel, and mooring fees, which vary dramatically based on your crew’s preferences. Let’s look at two different scenarios:
The Island Explorer
- Embraces local tavernas for meals
- Takes advantage of great sailing winds
- Anchors in beautiful bays Average costs per person:
- Fuel: $20
- Food & Beverages: $100
- Mooring: $0
The Luxury Sailor
- Enjoys onboard gourmet cooking
- Indulge in premium wines
- Stays at upscale marinas
- Uses air conditioning frequently. Average costs per person:
- Fuel: $70
- Food & Beverages: $500
- Mooring: $300
Based on our experience, most crews typically spend around $400 per person per week, including food and drinks. The final amount depends on your chosen destination and preferred style of travel.
Need help planning your budget? Our team is here to provide detailed estimates based on your specific destination and preferences.
What’s the difference between a Catamaran and a Monohull?
Catamarans, with their two hulls, are more stable. This makes them the choice if anyone has less than steller sea legs. They are wider (and therefore often more spacious) in the bedrooms, kitchen, and on deck.
Most first-time sailors will enjoy the hotel-like accommodation of a cat, and if your group has more than five guests, a catamaran is almost certainly the way to go.
Monohulls, also known as classic sailboats, perform better while sailing, so you can spend more of the trip with the engines turned off. They are less stable both while underway and potentially at anchor. Many people find the occasional leaning over of the boat in a fresh breeze to give a fantastic feeling. Being less wide, they are likelier to score a spot in a popular marina during high season. Monohulls are also where you often find the best bang for your buck, especially if your group is five or fewer.
If you’re looking for a more hands-on, authentic, classic-feeling sailing adventure, a monohull can be a fantastic choice, and the modern designs are built to be more spacious than ever before
When exactly does the trip start and end?
Week-long charters typically run from Saturday to Saturday in the charter sailing industry. The check-in process with the owner usually starts at 3 pm-4 pm, and we are allowed to push off the dock between 4 pm-5 pm. Usually, we must return to the dock by 5 pm the following Friday to do some preliminary checkout, and then we must disembark by 9 am the following Saturday. This is because the company needs time to clean and repair the boat for the next group. This technically makes the trip a 6.5-7 day one, depending on how you look. Assume this timeline unless specified otherwise!
Is this like the yachting on Below Deck?
Besides being near the water, this experience could not be more different from Below Deck. Before the superyacht industry hijacked the word “yacht,” it was well-known that going out overnight on an average sailboat was closer to glamping (glamourous camping) than it was to a 5-star hotel. The more you pay for your trip, the more ameneties you can expect (air conditioning, spacious cabins, etc), but by-and-large this is suppsoed a true adventure. There can be fantastic cuisine, comfy beds, fine wines, boujee moments, and incredible waterfront vistas. But you will have a better time if you keep your expectations of excessive luxuriousness in check!
Plan Your Perfect Sailing Adventure
Let’s discuss your dream group charter and create a custom experience for your crew. Our sailing experts will walk you through destinations, costs, and everything you need to know to get started.
How do I get to my boat?
The best places to sail are often well off the beaten path. We like to choose destinations that feel more like true adventures than tourist traps. If anything looks confusing, don’t hesitate to contact your captain for help finding the best deal on airport shuttles, ferries, etc.
What if I can’t put together a group?
We can still make it work if you hope to come alone or travel with a +1! Every season, we try to assemble at least one yacht of mixed sailors. Contact us to find out which weeks will be geared toward mixed groups.
Is tipping customary on a sailing charter?
If you feel your captain went above and beyond to help you tick every box during the adventure, tips are never expected but always deeply appreciated. If you do choose to tip, 10%- 20% of the total trip cost is considered a customary gratuity.
What are the extras I can add to the boat?
These are the typical extras that can be added, subject to availability. Different locations will have different prices: Private Chef ($200-$400 per day), paddleboard (~$120 per week), kayak (~$170 per week), BBQ grill (~$120 per week), embarking early discount (Variable)
Dan Zucker, Captain
My love of sailing started at age 10 when I got my start racing small boats around the inland lakes of Minnesota. Years later, my seamanship was honed in the waters of the Hawaiian islands, where I began my career working on private sailing yacht charters in 2020. Since then, I’ve sailed the Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean extensively as a professional skipper. I draw on everything I’ve learned from 18 years at the helm to make things safe and fun for every person and vessel I put to sea with. When difficult situations arise, I do my best work under pressure. I welcome the challenge of deadlines and perfectionism, and above all else, I always strive to be courteous, honest, and ethical to anyone I associate with. I love to teach what I know, but at the same time, I am forever the student in this lifelong journey.
Resume Overview
Credentials:
-USCG Master (100 tons, auxiliary sail)
-RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (200 tons, sail)
-VHF Operator’s license
-STCW first aid, firefighting, survival, safety at sea
-ENG 1 Medical
Experience:
-Professional skipper of catamarans up to 72′
-Professional skipper of monohulls up to 65′
-5 years as a sailing coach on dinghies, Hobie cats, and small yachts
-2 years as manager of the private yacht 43′ Fountaine Pajot Cat
-2 years as manager and captain of commercial charter business, Corsair f-31 racing Trimaran
-4 trans-pacific deliveries of 2000+ miles each
-Waters sailed: Hawai’i, Society Islands, Tuamotus, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Washington, Alaska, Mexico, California, Caribbean
Skills:
-a strong foundation in weather forecasting
-excellent people skills, team management
-proficient with higher-performance boats
-logistics-oriented mindset
-basic engineering/maintenance skills of marine systems
Full nautical CV available upon request
Charter Cancellations and Refunds 1.1.
If the Guest wishes to cancel their spot(s) on the sailing adventure, they are entitled to a refund under the following conditions:1.1.1. The Guest must find a “suitable” substitute guest to fill their spot(s).1.1.2. The substitute guest is considered “suitable” only upon approval from Lowtide Services LLC.1.1.3. The substitute guest must complete the payment in full to be regarded as a valid replacement. 2. Upon fulfilling the conditions in Section 1, Lowtide Services will refund the Guest’s payment, minus any applicable expenses incurred in the substitution process.2.3. In the case of trip cancellation due to extreme weather or any other circumstance where the cancellation is initiated by Lowtide Services LLC, a full refund will be provided to the Guest. Although we would much prefer to be able to offer a more generous cancellation policy, the simple fact is that Lowtide Sailing does not hold on to customers’ payments for more than a week.
Key Notes
- Guest-Initiated Cancellations:
- If a Guest wishes to cancel their spot(s), a refund is possible only if:
- The Guest finds a “suitable” substitute guest to fill their spot(s)
- Lowtide Services LLC approves the substitute guest
- The substitute guest completes payment in full
- Upon meeting these conditions, Lowtide Services will refund the Guest’s payment minus any applicable expenses incurred in the substitution process.
- Company-Initiated Cancellations:
- If a trip is canceled due to extreme weather or any other circumstance where Lowtide Services LLC initiates the cancellation, the guest will receive a full refund.
We understand you may prefer a more flexible cancellation policy, but we immediately forward 80-90% of your payment to secure your yacht and cover essential expenses like captain flights and accommodations.
Most of your trip costs go directly to yacht rental companies, which offer no refunds or downsizing options once bookings are confirmed. This industry-standard approach is consistent with similar companies like Join the Crew, Sailing Virgins, and Bluewater Breeze.
While we’ll always try to help if unexpected circumstances prevent you from joining your trip, ultimately, it remains your responsibility to find a replacement for your spot if you need to cancel.