Bareboat charter qualifications for the Grenadines — what you actually need
Bareboat charter companies in St Vincent are pragmatic but not casual. They want to see one of a small list of recognised qualifications, plus real recent experience on a similar-sized yacht.
Accepted certificates — RYA Day Skipper (or higher), International Certificate of Competence (ICC), ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising, US Sailing Bareboat Cruising, or an equivalent national qualification. IYT Bareboat Skipper is also accepted by most operators.
Experience matters more than the piece of paper. A resume showing recent charters on a 40-50ft yacht in tidal or trade-wind waters carries more weight than a five-year-old certificate with no logged miles since.
If you're not qualified — take a skipper for the first two or three days. The captain checks you out, you learn the boat and the area, and if all's well they leave you to it. This is genuinely the best way to start bareboating in the Grenadines. See /sailing-holidays/skippered-yacht-charter.
Insurance and deposit — expect a security deposit of US $3,000–5,000, refundable at the end. A dedicated damage waiver policy is usually available for around 5% of the charter cost and is worth taking.
See /sailing-holidays/bareboat-yacht-charter and /plan-your-charter/faq for the full picklist and paperwork we'll ask you for at booking.
Frequently asked questions
- What certificates are accepted?
- RYA Day Skipper (or higher), ICC, ASA 104, US Sailing Bareboat Cruising, IYT Bareboat Skipper, or equivalent national qualifications.
- Do I need recent experience?
- Yes — a sailing CV showing recent charters on a similar-size yacht carries more weight than an old certificate with no logged miles.
- What if I'm not qualified?
- Take a skipper for the first 2–3 days. If they're happy, they leave you to it. It's the best way into Grenadines bareboating.
- How much is the security deposit?
- Typically US $3,000–5,000, refundable at the end. A damage-waiver policy is available for around 5% of the charter cost.