Independent Yacht Charter Advice:
Expert Help, At No Extra Cost
Choosing a yacht charter takes more than finding a boat with the right number of cabins. The yacht’s equipment, the operator’s support, the quality of the boat maintenance and the terms of the booking can all make a huge difference to your week away.
The Overseas Club helps you compare yachts and charter companies before you commit. Our advice and consultancy are free to you when you place your booking through our agency. The charter company pays us a commission, so there’s no separate fee for my help.
Selecting the correct cruising ground for your crew and experience is so important. If you want advice on where to sail, we will explain the real differences between the Ionian and the Sporades. What about Turkey vs. Croatia? If you are considering the Caribbean or the Whitsundays we can offer real world advice, not brochure sales photos.
I’m Tom Fletcher. I’ve worked at charter companies for 15 years as a skipper, instructor and as a charter sales manager. I write regular articles about chartering for Sailing Today‘s Expert Forum. I know what to check beyond the listing, and I’m happy to talk through a charter you’re already considering, as well as help you start from scratch.
We offer free expert advice to help you select the right cruising area, charter company and yacht.Whether you are a newly qualified skipper or an old sea dog, we provide impartial, helpful support at no additional cost.
Why Choose The Overseas Club?
Advice at No Extra Cost: Talk through your plans, compare options and ask questions without paying a separate fee. We’re paid a sales commission by any charter company you book through us.
Independent Yacht Selection: We are transparent and look across many different charter companies rather than limit you to one fleet. The aim is to find the boat and the right service that suits your crew and the way you like to sail.
Practical Yacht Knowledge: We look beyond length and cabin count to the details you’ll notice on board, from sail handling and battery capacity to anchoring gear, air conditioning and the tender.
Clearer Costs: We’ll check what’s included in the quote and what costs extra, including final cleaning, transfers, fuel, insurance and optional equipment.
Support You Can Rely On: We’ll ask about handovers, arrange local assistance and instruction, and discuss what happens if something breaks while you’re out sailing.
Negotiation: We know the market value and will push for discounts from published rates, helping you secure a great deal.
Cooperative and Flexible: Once you’ve booked you will have direct contact with the charter company. We don’t get in the way of communication about your holiday, but we remain available if you need any further support or advice on things like insurance excess or damage waivers.
Additional services: As travel agents we can arrange anything further you want – we can arrange transfers, combine your charter with a week ashore in a carefully selected villa, or book-end your sailing with a few nights at a luxury hotel.
What We Do
Tell me your dates, crew size and the sort of sailing you have in mind. I’ll help narrow down the options and check the details before you book. For example, I can help with:
- Comparing yachts that look similar online but have different equipment on board.
- Finding a boat that suits your crew’s experience and preferred sail setup.
- Carefully check the details, so you know how much time you’ll have to sail and how much time you spend at the charter company’s base.
- Peace of mind that you are sailing with a solid charter company, not a cowboy!
- Looking at the full charter cost, not just the headline price.
- Arranging a skipper for the first day or two if you’d like a hand getting started.
- Giving you a second opinion on a yacht you’re considering booking
Contact tom@theoverseasclub.com
