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Hurricane Tips for the Weather-Wise Mariner

By Capt Lisa Batchelor Frailey Hurricane season is upon us, and it portends to be an active one.  With so many sources of information available, it’s easy to get overloaded by the variety of data and media hype. Here are some definitions and tips to weed out the key information and keep you prepared. Definitions – […]

 

Chesapeake Bay Dreaming

by Captain Lisa Batchelor Frailey Immortalized by writers, naturalists and artists, the Chesapeake Bay is America’s ultimate cruising destination.  Explorer Captain John Smith described it as “a faire bay encompassed but for the mouth with fruitful and delightsome land” when he created the first maps of the Chesapeake in 1608. A visit to the Chesapeake […]

 

Destination: Solomons for Screwpile!

by Lisa Batchelor Frailey Securely berthed on a tee-head in Solomons, Maryland, you savor a mug of fresh-brewed coffee in the cockpit of your well-appointed bareboat charter yacht. You relax in the sunny warmth while you plan your day’s sail on the Chesapeake Bay. Suddenly, a blast of music breaks your reverie, and you watch […]

 

New Chesapeake Bay Charts

By Capt Lisa Batchelor Frailey Attention all US boaters!  If you’re looking for nautical charts, there’s a whole new game in town – “nv-charts”.   I’ve been using nv-charts’ Caribbean charts for years, and have always been impressed by their practicality, accuracy of data and clarity of presentation.  Whether a chart kit or a waterproof folding […]

 
Flotilla Fantastic!

Flotilla Fantastic!

What is a Flotilla? By Capt Lisa Batchelor Frailey.     When social networks go sailing, you get… a flotilla!  Simply stated, a flotilla is a small fleet of similar vessels operating together for a common purpose. While historical purposes have included military operations, law enforcement or commerce, the modern purpose for sailboat flotillas is […]

 
Bareboat Chartering with the Kids

Bareboat Chartering with the Kids

by Capt Lisa Batchelor Frailey Families and boating go together like peanut butter and jelly. My family boating experience started when I was 2 months old; Dad had converted a Navy-surplus 36’ wooden landing craft into our family cruising boat. As a kid, I spent virtually every summer weekend and vacation boating, and I am […]

 
Money Matters – The Bareboat Charter Kitty

Money Matters – The Bareboat Charter Kitty

(by Capt Lisa Batchelor Frailey) Why are all-inclusive vacations so popular? Because the majority of the expenses are paid up front, so you can fully relax on vacation and not worry about constantly shelling out money for daily expenses. If you’ve already paid for it, then it feels free! This is especially true when you’re sharing […]

 
Cultivating a Happy Bareboat Charter Crew

Cultivating a Happy Bareboat Charter Crew

by Capt Lisa Batchelor Frailey Is this article for real?  Isn’t “Happiness” synonymous with “Bareboat Charter”? History tells us that crew morale is a topic that has occupied many a captain, and has inspired some notable solutions. Pirates have long advocated distribution of booty amongst the crew. The Royal Navy used a ration of grog. […]

 
Bareboat Chartering Crew Management

Bareboat Chartering Crew Management

by Capt Lisa Batchelor Frailey “Experience” is often defined as “learning from your mistakes”. If that’s the case, then I gained lots of experience during my first bareboat charter!  Eager to skipper my first BVI charter in 1995, I gathered a crew comprised of my college roommate and best ski-buddies – ladies whom I knew […]

 
Bareboat Charter Checkout – What to expect when you arrive onboard

Bareboat Charter Checkout – What to expect when you arrive onboard

by Capt Lisa Batchelor Frailey Your bareboat charter date is finally here! You and your crew (and hopefully your luggage) have arrived safely at the charter base, and you’re ready to board and get underway. What can you expect now? The Bareboat Charter Checkout! Don’t think of this as just a paperwork drill; knowing what […]