CHARTER Life YOUR GATEWAY to the ULTIMATE CRUISING VACATION

CHALLENGES ON Charter These tips will help you handle common problems while bareboating.

- CHRIS CASWELL

Just because you're sailing in paradise doesn't mean you can let down your guard. Wise skippers (and crews) should be prepared for any crisis that might occur.

These are boats, after all, and stuff happens. First, it's important that you make full use of your charter briefing. Pay attention and ask questions. Your charter company's briefer can point out the location of fire extinguishers (and how to operate them), life jackets, the propane stove, fuel shut-offs, bilge pumps (electric and manual) and the emergency tiller. Ask to be shown all the seacocks for the engine and heads. Understand everything clearly, or ask more questions.

During the briefing, be sure that at least one crewmember besides the skipper) understands VHF radio procedures and how to reach the rescue/ aid service in your charter area. Check to see what channel the charter company monitors too. Even if you manage to fix a problem, be sure to report it to the charter company at the end of your trip. Let’s look at some possible issues.

Engine failure. Arguably the most likely scare is when the engine doesn’t start or suddenly dies. I recommend based on several such adventures”) that you keep the mainsail up all the way into the anchorage, thus giving yourself backup propulsion in case of the Dreaded Silence. Check

to see if the engine kill switch is in the right position, if the gearshift lever is in neutral, if the battery switches are all on, and if the engine is overheating. If the problem is that last one, then the cooling water intake is probably clogged.