Anouk

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. You're only responsible for damage it doesn't cover, and that's capped at the security deposit.

Fuel isn't included, and on a powerboat it's the biggest variable cost. At a typical planing cruise this boat's 225 HP engine burn roughly 34 L/h — about €66 an hour at €1.95/L. It depends heavily on speed: easing off the throttle cuts it sharply, running flat out raises it. Plan your fuel around the hours and speed you expect to cruise.

No formal licence is legally required to skipper a bareboat sailing yacht, though charter companies expect a sailing résumé and usually an ICC or equivalent.

La Rochelle's Port des Minimes is the largest pleasure boat marina in France, with berths for thousands of vessels just a short ride from the historic town center. Read more →

April–October on the Riviera and Corsica; warm summers with the gusty Mistral funnelling down the Gulf of Lion in spring and autumn.