Return to Sail Yourself Whitsunday Cruising Introduction & Prices  

DEPOSIT: 
A A$750 deposit is required within 14 days to secure the booking.

BALANCE OF FEES: 
The balance of Charter Fees should reach us  no later than 60 days prior to charter departure date. 

MARINE PARK FEE: A Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Fee plus associated charges is
applicable to all charterers and is payable in full locally prior to departure. Cost A$20 per person:
including EMC $4.50 per person x 3 nights plus administration charge A$6.50.

DAMAGE LEVY FEE: Non refundable Damage Levy Fee provides the charterer with a
No Blame Policy that protects the charterer against any cost incurred to rectify damage
to the vessel and its fittings or loss of inventory from the vessel, providing at all times the
charter vessel is operated in a safe and responsible manner in accordance with the
charter agreement. The fee is calculated at a rate according to vessel size by the
number of nights ( to a maximum of 7 nights) the vessel is on charter.
Cost:
28ft to 34ft - $35 per boat per night
35ft to 38ft - $40 per boat per night
39ft to 50ft - $45 per boat per night
The operator reserves the right (without showing cause) to apply a $2000
bond to any charter .

FUEL: 
Fuel is charged on a user pay system and must be paid at the end of charter.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES: 
Food and beverages must be paid on arrival, except in the case of a Hamilton Island boat pick up, when all charges must be pre-paid.

IF YOU HAVE TO CANCEL
PLEASE NOTE:  Cancellations must be made in writing.
(A) If we are notified of cancellation 60 days or more before departure date, all monies paid for charter will be refunded (less a A$100 administration fee).
(B) If notification of cancellation is less than 60 days prior to departure,
no refunds will be made unless a substitute booking is obtained. 

TRAVEL AND CANCELLATION INSURANCE:  
We strongly recommend that you take out adequate insurance to cover yourselves in case you are forced to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, or there are possible interruptions or curtailments to your charter which are beyond your control. Please ensure you are adequately covered before you leave home.

COMMENCEMENT OF CHARTERS:  
All charters start at 12:00 noon on the first day and finish at midday on the last day at our private jetty at Shute Harbour. An 8:00am brief may be requested but cannot be confirmed until the afternoon of the day before charter.

HAMILTON ISLAND DELIVERY: 
12:00 noon - If requested the vessel can be delivered to Hamilton Island Marina for briefing or may be returned to Hamilton Island at the completion of charter, fee applies, BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT. Security Bond, Reef Tax and Provisioning must be prepaid.

RADIO SCHEDULES: Regulations require us to be in contact with each vessel twice daily, at 8:00am and 4:00pm. During the schedule we will keep your clients informed of weather forecasts, special events and provide information or advice about proposed anchorage.
Help is only a radio call away so your first action would be to radio our base for advice. Our experienced staff will talk you through any circumstance or our fleet support vessel will be sent for assistance. After 25 years experience it is unlikely that we will come across something that we can’t handle or has not been experienced previously. Water taxi’s, helicopters and seaplanes are also readily available for emergencies.

MID CHARTER TURNAROUND: For extended charters (9 nights or more) clients will need to return to port approximately half way through charter for a mid-charter turnaround. During turnaround clients will be supplied with fresh linen, refuelled, water tanks re-filled and if provisioning has been ordered  the vessel will be re provisioned.

LATE ARRIVALS:
As charterers are required to be safely anchored by 4pm, any arrival after 12 noon may be required to spend the first night anchored in Shute Harbour/ or return with the briefer from Hamilton Island Marina to Shute Harbour, due to briefings taking approximately 2-3 hours. 

ADDITIONAL EXTRAS
Food and Beverages:  The operators will take care of provisioning your vessel for you if you wish and this must be paid for on arrival.  Please enquire further when you make your booking.
Scuba Equipment:  Certified divers can hire scuba equipment.
Sailboards:  You can hire sailboards to be put on your vessel, adding another sailing dimension to your holiday.
Sea Kayaks:  Sea kayaks are available for hire and are great for visiting those hard to reach places.
Sail guides :  POA

BRIEFING:
You receive a complimentary 2-3 hour charter brief upon arrival and this will begin with reading the charts, a guide to anchorages and the weather and tides.  You will then move onto the boat itself for the vessel familiarisation, which will cover features and operation of the vessel, followed by radio and safety procedures.

The on water check covers anchoring and boat handling. For those who are unsure of their skills or a little rusty we offer the services of a qualified sail guide for a couple of hours or for as long as you  wish. The sail guide will stay with you until you are ready to take over for the duration of the holiday.  Taking a sail guide is an excellent way to improve sailing skills in an enjoyable and informal manner.