Vancouver Island Yacht Charters

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should you join our fleet?

Dock your boat in the center of the best cruising grounds in the Pacific Northwest and enjoy the best parts of boating. We have everything you will need to maintain, upgrade, and keep your boat in top condition. Fleet owners enjoy the benefits of our entire business group – Nanaimo Yacht Services Group includes: Stones Boatyard, The Marine Store, Nanaimo Yacht Services, Inflatable Repair Shop and Nanaimo Charters & Sailing School. Our services include an 83 ton TravelLift, skilled marine technicians, inflatable boat experts, and access to world-class marine suppliers. You will enjoy reduced labour rates and a qualified on-site service team to attend to all your boat’s needs year-round. When you join our fleet, your boat becomes comprehensively insured under our fleet policy. 

How much money will I make? 

A well-kept, well-equipped, and popular brand of boat should earn enough to cover moorage, guardianage, insurance, and routine maintenance when chartered for a minimum of 12-weeks. Most boat owners enjoy 60% of the net charter revenue. Newer vessels, those under 5-years old, can enjoy additional profit-sharing incentives.

How often can I use my boat? 

We require a minimum of 12 weeks availability for bookings. Most owners choose to use their boats in the beautiful shoulder seasons so they can maximize their revenue. 

Enjoy every day of your holiday. Step aboard your fully prepared boat and walk away without any concern for maintenance – we take care of everything on your behalf. Simply make a reservation and arrive with your crew. We prepare your vessel as we would for any charter guest, allowing you to board your boat in luxury and go home rejuvenated by the ocean.  

What is the ideal charter boat?

Well known brands – with cabin layouts permitting comfortable sailing for families and friends – are most popular with our charter clients. Ideally, this means models with 3+cabins and 2+ heads. Popular brands include: Beneteau, Jeanneau, Bavaria, Dufour, Catalina, Hunter, Lagoon, Leopard, Fontaine Pajot, Meridian, Bayliner, Ocean Alexander, Carver, SeaRay, Grand Banks, etc.. 

All fleet vessels must be clean, well-maintained, and equipped with the necessary essentials for cruising in the Pacific Northwest. All systems must be in good working condition. Safety equipment must be current and conveniently accessible. When you enter our fleet, we will guide you every step of the way, make the process enjoyable, and present your boat to it’s best advantage. 

Who will be allowed to charter my boat? 

Long before anyone takes the helm of your boat, we take the time necessary to assess every charterer’s experience and qualifications to ensure your boat’s safety. We require Coastal Navigation certification, personally review every Skipper’s Resume, and do not allow your boat to leave our docks until we are confident it will be handled safely. And when more experience or training is necessary, our team of experienced instructional skippers steps aboard to ensure requirements are met. Our yacht services team is available 24/7 to answer charterer questions and address issues along the way. We protect your investment as if it is our own.  

How do we prepare charterers to use my boat?

We create a custom Operator’s Manual documenting every system in your boat with photos and step-by-step instructions. This manual is accessible onboard for every charter. We also produce an In-Depth Vessel Briefing Video of your boat to display the correct operation of all systems. We take the time to connect with charterers 1:1 prior to their arrival to pinpointed areas that require additional briefing. Our unique combination of preparation materials and personal contact is well-received by our charterers and appreciated by our fleet owners, who know that we prepare every client to successfully take the helm. 

Where will charterers go with my boat?

Every charterer submits a cruising plan for our review to ensure they are qualified and prepared to go to the places they wish to explore. We also equip charterers with cruising guides, paper charts, plotting tools, tide tables, and binoculars. Most clients sail in our popular cruising grounds: Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast, and Desolation Sound. For clients seeking to venture beyond these popular areas, we work with them to ensure that they have the necessary experience and a safe cruising plan.

How do you prepare boats for charter? 

Each vessel is cleaned inside and out, and we conduct a thorough inspection of all systems before and after every charter. No system is overlooked. We check belts, bilges, tanks, switches, lights, the toolkit – every system and item the charterer might use. We ensure that each charter guest enjoys a clean, well-equipped boat. 

How do you make sure my boat is returned in good condition? 

We expect our charterers to return the boat in the same pristine condition they received it. After clients disembark, a thorough inspection is conducted both above and below the water. Your boat is maintained to the highest standard by our qualified marine experts. 

How do I get more information about putting my boat into charter? 

Enjoy the best parts of boat ownership – email us at info@nanaimoyachtcharters.com.