The essentials
Setting off without a skipper calls for sailing skills that vary from one destination and one boat to another. One rule applies everywhere: you must be able to read a nautical chart and fix your position. The rest depends on where you are going. A licence is compulsory in every country except France, where a yacht can be hired without one, whatever its size. A sailing CV, on the other hand, is always requested: at Filovent, you complete it in your customer account after booking. Some areas also require a restricted radio operator's certificate (VHF), Croatia among them. If you have the slightest doubt, a Filovent adviser will review your file with you before you book.
The two non-negotiable skills
Chart and position: those are the two skills mentioned above, and every bareboat charter starts there. In practice, that means being able to plot a course, pick out a beacon or a shoal before you get close to it, and know where your boat is at any moment, even if the GPS stops working. This is the bare minimum, even before the question of a licence arises. A skipper must also know how to handle the boat in harbour, drop anchor and plan the day around the weather.
Licences: what the law says
The rule depends entirely on the country and the type of boat. In France, a yacht can be hired without any licence at all, regardless of its length; for a motorboat of more than 6 hp, the French coastal licence (permis plaisance option côtière) is compulsory. In the rest of the world, a licence is almost always required: a coastal licence is enough in the vast majority of cases, while an offshore licence is only needed for the most demanding destinations (open-sea crossings, offshore passages).
Good to know: your entitlements travel with you. A coastal licence limits you to 6 nautical miles from a safe haven, in France as well as abroad. A charter company may therefore refuse to hand over a boat for an offshore trip if your licence does not cover the distance. Internationally, the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is the most widely accepted document: it is the official equivalent of your national licence and is recognised in many countries.
The sailing CV: the document that really decides
Beyond the legal paperwork, your sailing CV is always requested, in France as everywhere else. It sets out: the types of boats you have skippered, their size, the areas you have sailed, your role on board (skipper or crew) and how often you sail.
At Filovent, you fill it in directly in your customer account, after booking. It is based on good faith: nobody will ask you for proof, but it is in your own interest to be honest. Finding yourself at the helm of a boat you cannot handle is a sure way to ruin your holiday.
What the charter company actually looks at
The charter company compares the experience you have declared with the boat you want to hire and checks that the two are consistent. In practice, you will not be handed a large catamaran if your only experience is on a 20-foot monohull. As a rule, you are expected to have already skippered a boat of a comparable size, including harbour manoeuvres and anchoring. There is no official number of hours, but having led several cruises as skipper will reassure the charter company.
The VHF (radio) certificate
In certain areas, a restricted radio operator's certificate (VHF) is required in addition to the licence. Croatia asks for it as standard, and more and more Mediterranean areas are following suit. It certifies that you can operate the onboard radio, in particular to send a distress call. If your destination requires it, make sure you obtain it well before departure.
Every destination has its own level of demand
Destination-by-destination requirements
Not all destinations are equal. Here are the benchmarks by area to give you an idea of what will be asked of you (to be confirmed with the charter company and for the boat concerned):
| Destination | Licence | VHF certificate | Recommended level |
|---|---|---|---|
| France (yacht) | None (engine > 6 hp: coastal licence) | No (when sailing close to shore) | Beginner-friendly, line-of-sight sailing |
| Croatia | Coastal licence or ICC | Yes, compulsory | Beginner to intermediate |
| Greece | ICC + qualified co-skipper often required | Often requested | Intermediate (Cyclades: meltemi) |
| Italy | Coastal licence or ICC | Varies by area | Intermediate |
| Spain / Balearics | Coastal licence or ICC | Varies by area | Intermediate |
| Turkey | Coastal licence or ICC | Often requested | Beginner to intermediate |
| Seychelles | Offshore licence | Often requested | Experienced, offshore |
| British Virgin Islands (BVI) | No licence required, but sailing CV requested | No | Beginner to intermediate (sheltered waters, line-of-sight sailing) |
| Grenadines (St Vincent to Grenada) | No licence required, but sailing CV requested | No | Experienced (open-sea crossings, steady trade winds) |
| French Polynesia | Not required (French territory), but offshore experience essential | Recommended | Experienced, offshore |
These benchmarks change over time and every charter company applies its own conditions: always check the exact requirements for your booking before you commit.
The check-in on embarkation day: the final verification
On the day of embarkation, a technical briefing is held with the charter company or its representative. They will show you around the boat and may assess your first manoeuvres. If they feel you are not confident enough, they can require you to take a skipper for the first few days, until you find your feet.
Are you a beginner or short on experience?
Not experienced enough? Your options
A bareboat charter is not the place to learn to sail. If your experience is limited, you have several options:
- Hire with a skipper: you enjoy the cruise and learn from them along the way, with no stress and no licence formalities.
- Train at a sailing school: this is the real way to acquire the basics, then your licence and your independence as a skipper.
- Choose a beginner-friendly destination: moderate winds, line-of-sight sailing and short legs, for a confident first charter.
Unsure about your file? Talk to Filovent
Every charter company sets its own requirements, and these can change. Not sure you have the right licence, the right certificate or the experience expected? Do not book blind. A Filovent adviser will review your profile and point you towards the right level of boat and destination. For any questions, contact your Filovent adviser or our concierge team on +44 20 4576 3186.
