Bareboat
Chartering in Loreto, Baja California
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On This Page:
1. General Information
2. FAQ
1. General
Information:
Here is information about bareboat chartering
our Catalina 22 keelboat. Included here is:
a sample copy of the charter agreement, the
first page of our cruising guidelines, a personal
gear list, and a boat inventory.
You will receive the complete guidelines, and
travel information, once we confirm your reservation.
When you are ready to arrange a charter, the
next step is for you (or the designated captain)
to contact
us with a summary of your sailing
and charter experiences along with the preferred
dates for your charter, and names and ages of
the charter party. We will get right back to
you with a confirmation. When we have received
your $200 charter deposit, we will send out
the full packet. If you have any questions about
chartering with us in Baja, or the procedure
for doing so, please contact
us.
2. FAQ:
Q. What is bareboat charter?
A. Bareboat charter is a bit like leasing a
car. You get the boat equipped with proper boat
gear for chartering, but, it is “bare”
meaning you are the captain/crew and provide
your own food, beverages, and personal gear.
Click on Windmill Inventory and Gear List to
see what is provided and what you should bring.
Q. What are the charter waters?
A. Our only charter boat, Windmill, a Catalina
22 is based in Loreto, Baja, Mexico on the Sea
of Cortez. Our charter waters are within a newly
created Mexican Marine National Park, with a
number of uninhabited offshore, but close islands
offering secluded anchorages, and reasonably
deserted beaches. You will be sailing between
these islands and the Baja peninsula, an area
of about 350 square miles, which is delightful
for a six-or more- day charter.
Q. How do I know if I am qualified
to charter Windmill?
A. Generally, you should have lots of experience
sailing small boats like our Catalina 22 in
a variety of waters on multi-day trips. You
should be familiar with finding your way in
new waters, evaluating an anchorage for safe
anchoring, anchoring skills and techniques,
dealing with variable weather, and, you should
be comfortable and happy with camp style cook
kits and accommodations. One client said, “Hey,
its like camping off-road in the desert in my
old VW bus.” Previous chartering experience,
a bareboat chartering certificate, bigger boats,
and Baja experience can be a plus. The SailBaja
charter program should not be your first chartering
experience. Baja sailing is off the grid, without
a wide range of marinas, communications, or
rescue agencies. You must be self reliant.
Specifically, we ask you to send us a resume
of your sailing skills and chartering experiences,
as well as those of your crew. We’ll respond
immediately with our evaluation.
Q. Can we depart one marina and drop
off in another, a one-way charter?
A. Baja doesn’t have a large number of
marinas. This is part of its charm, we think.
Our best charter price is based on you beginning
and ending at the Loreto Marina. We are always
open to discussing other possibilities, but
there will be extra charges.
Q. What is the best time to charter
in Baja?
A. We offer charters in Baja from October through
mid-May. Other months are too hot, humid, and
calm. During our desert climate season we generally
have clear skies, and breeze from the north.
Water is warmest in November, December and April,
but you can snorkel with a light wetsuit all
season. From time to time, Dec through April,
we have 3 day or more windstorms called Nortes,
when you will want to be in one of the secure
anchorages in our charter area.
We like all months, but then, we live there.
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