Booking your first charter is exciting, but it comes with questions. Will I be able to dock? How do I handle the check-in? What if the anchor drags?
At All Winds Adventures, we don't care about gold bars on your epaulettes. We care about good seamanship. We are Sailing Coaches, not just booking agents.
We have curated our best advice into this step-by-step guide to help you transition from 'crew member' to 'Skipper in Command'.
Bookmark this page—it is your virtual mentor.
The sea doesn't care about your PDF plan. A "safe" itinerary depends on the wind, the swell, and your crew's energy levels.
Learn how to make smart Go/No-Go decisions based on weather, crew, and comfort—not just a line on a map.
Continue reading through our First Time Yacht Charter Guide to pick up some tips and tools to enjoy your first charter.
Good seamanship isn't just about handling the boat; it’s about making the right call before you even untie the lines
We developed this Risk Assessment Matrix to help you objectify your decision-making. It takes the "gut feeling" out of the equation and gives you a calculated risk score based on three critical factors: The Human Factor (Who is on board?), The Environment (What is the weather doing?), and The Destination (Is it safe to stay here tonight?)
Be Honest: The sea doesn't care about your ego. If you are a new skipper, select "Rookie." If your crew is tired, mark them as "Passive."
Check the Traffic Light:
🟢 Green: Conditions are within your team's comfort zone.
🟡 Amber: Risks are present. You need a solid "Plan B" and to brief your crew carefully.
🔴 Red: The complexity exceeds your team's current capacity. Stay in port or choose a safer, shorter route.
Honest input = Safe Sailing.
⚠️ IMPORTANT SKIPPER'S NOTICE & DISCLAIMER
You are the Master of the Vessel. This tool is provided by All Winds Adventures as a guidance aid only to assist in decision-making. It does not replace official weather forecasts, nautical charts, pilot books, or your own judgement as the Skipper.
Please accept the following:
No Guarantee of Safety: A "Green Light" result does not guarantee a safe passage. Local conditions can change rapidly, and mechanical failures or hidden hazards are not accounted for in this calculator.
Sole Responsibility: The decision to leave port, the selection of the route, and the safety of the crew and vessel remain the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Skipper.
Data Limitations: This tool relies entirely on the accuracy of the inputs you provide. Underestimating wind speed or overestimating crew competence will result in an inaccurate safety score.
If in doubt, stay in port. The best sailors are the ones who know when not to sail.
Download our New Skipper’s Cheat Sheet. Includes a Check-in Checklist, Radio Script, and Hand Signals Guide to keep your crew safe and your stress low.
How to save this card:
Desktop: Right-click on each image and select "Save Image As..." to download.
Mobile: Long-press on the image and select "Add to Photos" or "Download Image."
Print Settings: For best results, print double-sided on A5 cardstock and laminate for waterproofing.
Need a durable copy? We have professionally printed, waterproof versions of this card available for our charter guests. Contact us to request a hard copy for your next trip.
⚠️ Skipper's Disclaimer: This tool is a decision-making aid only. It does not replace official weather forecasts, nautical charts, or the Skipper's own judgement. The decision to leave port and the safety of the vessel and crew remain the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Skipper. © 2026 All Winds Adventures.
The Golden Rule: Depth + Freeboard x Scope.
Dragging an anchor is one of the most stressful parts of a first charter.
Good seamanship isn't just about dropping the hook; it’s about ensuring you have enough "scope" (the ratio of chain length to the vertical distance from the bow to the seabed) to keep the pull horizontal.
How to use this tool:
Water Depth: Enter the depth shown on your chart or depth sounder
Bow Height (Freeboard): Do not forget to add the distance from the waterline to your bow roller (usually 1.0m to 1.5m on most charter yachts)
Select Conditions:
Lunch Stop (3:1): For short stays in calm, protected bays.
Overnight (5:1): The standard for a safe night's sleep in a moderate breeze
Storm (7:1): Use maximum chain when the wind is gusting, or the sea state is rough
Skipper's Tip: Always do your "WOBBLE" engine checks before a long leg and ensure your anchor alarm is set once you are settled
Don't Drag. Calculate your chain.
Spot Selection: Choose a sheltered location that is not a lee shore, prioritising a bottom with sand or mud for the best holding.
The Approach: Approach your selected spot into the wind or tide, whichever is stronger.
The Drop: Stop the boat and drop the anchor to the seabed, ensuring you avoid seagrass, rocks, or coral.
Laying Chain: Let the boat drift or gently engage reverse gear to lay your chain along the seabed.
Setting: Once you have laid out almost as much chain as required for your depth, let the boat sit back against the chain until it is straight.
Digging In: Gently put the boat in reverse to set the anchor, then gradually increase revs to dig it in.
Monitoring: Take transits to ensure you are staying put; if staying overnight, apply significant pressure in reverse for peace of mind.
Final Step: Use a snubber to protect the windlass and reduce noise.
The Rule of 12ths is a standard navigation tool used to estimate intermediate tidal heights between High Water (HW) and Low Water (LW) for semi-diurnal tides. It assumes a roughly six-hour tidal cycle following a predictable, symmetrical curve.
The Rule of 12ths Table
The total tidal range (difference between HW and LW) is divided into 12 equal parts. The height changes each hour as follows:
1st Hour1/12th of the total range1/12th
2nd Hour2/12ths of the total range3/12ths (1/4)
3rd Hour3/12ths of the total range6/12ths (1/2)
4th Hour3/12ths of the total range9/12ths (3/4)
5th Hour2/12ths of the total range11/12ths
6th Hour1/12th of the total range12/12ths
Estimate tidal height between High and Low water.
Prevention is Better Than a Tow
Before you untie the lines and head for that perfect anchorage, your most critical piece of safety equipment is the one sitting under the cockpit sole: the engine. Modern charter yachts are reliable, but a simple mechanical failure can quickly turn a relaxing holiday into a stressful salvage situation
At All Winds Adventures, we teach our skippers the W.O.B.B.L.E. method—a professional-grade pre-start sequence designed to catch 90% of common engine issues before they happen
Water: Check the raw water strainer for debris and the internal coolant levels
Oil: Use the dipstick to verify levels and look for signs of "milky" oil (a sign of water ingress)
Belts: Check the alternator and pump belts for correct tension and signs of black dust/wear
Bilge: A dry engine bilge is the primary indicator of a healthy cooling and fuel system
Levels: Ensure the coolant header tank is at the correct level
Exhaust: Once started, verify a healthy flow of cooling water from the exhaust.
Whether you are a rookie or an experienced sailor, performing these checks every morning is the hallmark of a Skipper in Command. It reduces the risk of mechanical failure and ensures your crew remains safe while exploring complex waters.
Perform these six essential checks every morning before starting the engine.
Pro Tip: A dry bilge is the first sign of a healthy engine.
Don't gamble on a random internet listing. We have access to 5,000+ professionally managed yachts via Nausys and Booking Manager.
Tell us your experience level, and Dave & Karin will personally find you a 'Skipper-Friendly' yacht in a safe sailing area.
Please complete this form, and we will send you an offer for a number of boats to suit your needs. If you wish, we can then arrange a video or phone call to discuss your options and nail down your perfect boat.
Don’t worry if you’re unsure about the exact features you want. If you require further information about any of this, leave a note in the “further information” box, and we will contact you to help you decide on exactly what you need. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Yes. Most Mediterranean charter companies (Croatia, Greece, Italy) accept the RYA Day Skipper or an ICC (International Certificate of Competence). However, the legal requirement is only half the battle. We recommend that "Day Skippers" gain a few additional miles as active crew or join a Coaching Charter to build the confidence needed to handle a 45ft yacht in a crowded marina.
Technically, anchoring is easier because you usually have more space and fewer obstacles. Docking—specifically Mediterranean "stern-to" mooring—requires precise throttle control, coordination with the crew, and management of crosswinds in tight quarters. However, while docking is harder to execute, anchoring is harder to monitor because you must ensure the anchor stays "set" throughout the night.
A bow thruster can be a helpful aid, but it should never be your primary tool for docking. We recommend trying to complete your manoeuvres without it, using the thruster only as a "safety net" if the bow begins to stray.
Why technique beats technology:
Reliability: Bow thrusters have small electric motors that can easily overheat or burn out if used continuously.
Power: In a strong crosswind, a thruster often lacks the power to hold the bow against the wind; good steerage and throttle control are far more effective.
Hazards: Be extremely careful when using the thruster near mooring lines or lazy lines; they can be sucked into the tunnel, leading to a fouled prop and an expensive diver's bill.
Multiply the total depth (water depth + bow freeboard) by the required ratio: 3:1 for lunch, 5:1 for overnight, and 7:1 for storms.
It is a method for estimating tidal heights in semi-diurnal tides. It assumes a 6-hour cycle where water rises or falls in 1/12th increments.
Modern yachts have separate "Engine" and "Domestic" battery banks to ensure you can always start the motor. However, large consumers like the fridge and electric heads can drain the domestic bank quickly. Unless your charter boat has ample solar and a large battery bank, we recommend running the engine for an hour in the morning and evening to top up the charge. Keep an eye on the voltmeter on the switch panel—if it drops below 12.2V, it’s time to charge.
Skipper’s Tip: To save significant power, switch off the fridge at night. It will stay cool enough until morning, and your batteries will thank you.
