bareboat charter path
this is the path to skipper your own yacht on a vacation
What is a Bareboat Chartering?
Bareboat means you’re ready to safely skipper a large catamaran without a hired captain onboard
It’s your ticket to freedom for chartering in the world’s top sailing destinations.
Bareboat instruction and certification is much more than just chartering – it’s learning how to competently sail multihulls near coastal for multiple days, with varying weather conditions and navigational challenges, and meanwhile mastering a variety of docking and anchoring techniques (including Med Mooring while overseas).
What is a Bareboat Charter Master?
You're in command
A Bareboat Charter Master is someone who excels at all essential near-coastal and multiday sailing roles.
For example, you’ll need to be a competent skipper, sail trimmer, navigator, engineer, electrician, plumber, and even chef – all while confidently leading a crew of family and friends with knowledge, experience, and skill.
3 steps to training & assessment
Step 1: Start by discussing your sailing goals and experience
Are you looking to become a confident sailboat owner—competent, insurable, and ready to safely sail anywhere in the world?
Do you want to earn the certifications needed to bareboat charter a catamaran and skipper your own dream vacation?
Are you hoping to build your skills and experience as a competent crew member?
Regardless of your goals, we can help. Reach out to us and share your past training and experience so we can tailor a training program to meet your individual needs.
Step 2: Begin the online theory-knowledge courses immediately!
A major advantage of our program is that you can start your online training right away, allowing you to prepare thoroughly and make the most of your on-the-water training.
Online knowledge-based courses have consistently outperformed traditional methods in both education and business.
We only use NauticEd’s online courses because they are recognized as best-in-class for boating education.
Step 3: On-water Training, Assessment & Certification
Step 3: On-water Training, Assessment & Certification
Our on-the-water training is focused on the application of knowledge-theory and skills building. The training is tailored to your needs and goals, including an emphasis on hands-on catamaran sailing experience, seamanship, and competence.
Certification is optional and includes a thorough assessment of your skills, safety, and overall competence for each level. We can assess while training, or you can schedule an assessment.
What is Bareboat charter master Certification?
Certification requires Both training & Experience
Bareboat certification is demonstrating your real-world readiness and competence to be a Bareboat Charter Master, not just passing a test. There is also and experience requirement.
Catamaran Training is focused on training you to be competent in three distinct areas:
(1) Theory and knowledge (online classes);
(2) Practical skills (on the water/expeditions); and
(3) Experience (on the water/expeditions).
Bareboat charter Master Experience Requirements
To gain the NauticEd Bareboat Charter Master Certification, a student must:
- Log at least 50 qualifying days of sailing experience in their electronic logbook, with at least 25 of those days as master of the vessel and on a sailboat greater than 28 feet.
Nauticed is accepted worldwide
The Bareboat Charter Master certification we support is through NauticEd, because we believe it is the best and most effective “competency-based” standard and system in the world.
This gives you the confidence that your training not only meets USCG American National Standards and methods, but also translates into getting an international license (SLC) if you want to charter in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, or anywhere else in the world.
Catamaran Training is an APPROVED ASSESSMENT SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL SAILING LICENSE AND CREDENTIALS (SLC™)
The International Sailing License and Credentials (SLC) is a recreational sailing license valid for all yacht charter companies worldwide including Europe and the Seychelles. The SLC-p is the power boat equivalent.
To gain an SLC, the candidate must take online theory knowledge self-paced classes, log previous sufficient appropriate boating experience on boats of reasonably similar size and type, and demonstrate practical skills according to internationally and US Coast Guard established boating standards.
Catamaran Training offers the SLC in 2 formats:
Cataman Training offers the SLC in 2 formats:
1. As part of a multi-day training course, whether as private instruction or as part of a Training Expedition;
2. A stand-alone pass/fail assessment – usually a day, unless additional preparation is needed.
Do you Already have the skills for an international license?
Take the NauticEd SLC Self Assessment to see if you qualify or need additional training.
Copy gabriel@catamarantraining.com to share the results and discuss training options.
Recommended courses
Bareboat Charter Master course
You can master the knowledge and skills needed for bareboat charter sailing vacations and multiday near-coastal sailing with the Bareboat Charter Master's comprehensive bundle of 6 online courses. Optional Bareboat Certification and the SLC International Sailing License (recognized by port authorities worldwide) are available when you meet the experience and assessment requirements. Plus, get free access to Electronic Navigation, Basic Sail Trim, and Navigation Rules courses, and start preparing to discover the freedom of near-coastal sailing and bareboat charters!
Estimated Time (all courses combined): 53 hours
Rating is 4.90 (based on 61489 reviews).
Navigation, Basic Sail Trim, and Navigation Rules for Free
Catamaran Sailing Confidence Course
This is a required course for us. The Catamaran Sailing Confidence online course builds upon your keelboat training and experience to give you the confidence to safely and efficiently sail a catamaran. The Catamaran Sailing Confidence online course includes interactive animations to help understand catamaran maneuvering in the marina.
Estimated time: 3 hours
Rating is 4.85 (based on 1318 reviews).
What is a sailing resume?
CERTIFICATION IS 1/2 OF THE EQUATION. YOUR SAILING RESUME IS THE OTHER 1/2.
A sailing resume is a documentation of your sailing knowledge, skills, and experience. It is used to demonstrate your competence to yacht charter companies, especially when chartering a yacht.
Unlike a sailing certification, which may not be accepted as proof of competence, a sailing resume provides a comprehensive record of your sailing history and qualifications.
In regions like the Mediterranean and Seychelles, a sailing license is also required in addition to a sailing resume.
Why a sailing resume trumps a sailing certification
How to meet the experience requirements
Training Expeditions
Adventure Expeditions
Adventure Expeditions
Training Expeditions focus on building core sailing competencies.
You’ll work closely with a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain and NauticEd-certified instructor to develop essential skills in navigation, boat handling, onboard systems, safety protocols, and emergency procedures.
Each expedition follows a structured curriculum with clear objectives, giving you the opportunity to apply what you learn in real conditions. You’ll gain the practical experience required for certifications, licenses, and — most importantly — real-world competence.
Adventure Expeditions
Adventure Expeditions
Adventure Expeditions
Adventure Expeditions push you in a different way.
These multi-day journeys pressure-test your sailing skills and knowledge — but always with an experienced instructor onboard as your safety net. You’ll take on increasing responsibility as you gain confidence managing: navigation, night watches, anchoring in unfamiliar harbors, provisioning and adapting to changing weather systems.
While these expeditions feel more like real-world sailing than a course, they are still very much part of your training. They help reveal your weak spots, build leadership, and prepare you to skipper your own vessel with confidence.
AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS
Our Students & Crew Members learn to sail through our fully accredited NauticEd sailing education program, a program that prepares you to be a competent sailor. Our training program adheres to the U.S. Coast Guard’s American National Standards for sailing training, and our NauticEd Certifications and Licenses are recognized by yacht chartering companies around the world.
