Fountaine Pajot Elba 45

Yes — every boat on charter.boats is insured by its operator; we require it. The policy covers the vessel for fire, collision and third-party liability. For damage it doesn't cover, your liability is usually limited to the security deposit, except where the operator's terms say otherwise. Operator terms: The boat is insured as a commercial passenger-transport vessel, so no insurance excess deposit is charged to passengers for the boat's insurance. Theft or loss of passengers' personal belongings is not covered.

Fuel isn't included — you return the tank full. Estimated from engine power: this boat's ~130 HP engines burn roughly 10.4 L/h while motoring, so a typical week (about 3 h a day, ~21 h) works out to roughly 218 L ≈ €316 at €1.45/L — scale it to your own plans.

Not personally — this boat requires a skipper, who holds the licence. Generally, though: Requirements vary by state and operator; no national sailing licence exists, so charter companies rely on a detailed sailing résumé (some states require a boater education card).

Unfortunately not. Animals, even small ones, are not accepted on board.

When the skipper is alone on board, we don't sail at night, except in cases of force majeure or a prolonged passage, or if your cruise includes a deckhand. If you board late in the day, the first night is spent in port or at anchor at Sainte-Anne, depending on weather.

In cases such as significant weather, strikes, breakdowns or assisting another vessel, the captain and the operator decide on delaying departure, rerouting, or an early or late return. In those cases we can't offer a replacement boat, refund or compensation, so we recommend taking your own travel insurance.

A cook/deckhand formula is available as an option, with drinks included, though we can't guarantee special diets. Our crews know the sea very well, but they aren't tour guides and don't organise visits or activities ashore.

Only people on the passenger list can sail, and the captain must approve anyone else. Please tell us at booking if children under 12 or anyone fragile or disabled will be with you. We provide a free life jacket for each child under 12, but children stay under your supervision at all times.

Varies widely by region; the Florida Keys and Caribbean coast run year-round, while New England and the Pacific Northwest peak June–September.