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 license is mandatory in every country except France, where a sailboat can be chartered without one, whatever its size. A sailing résumé, 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 advisor 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 plotting a course, picking out a beacon or a shoal before you get close to it, and knowing where your boat is at any moment, even if the GPS quits on you. This is the bare minimum, even before the question of a license comes up. A skipper must also know how to handle the boat in the harbor, drop anchor, and plan the day around the weather.
Licenses: What the Law Says
The rule depends entirely on the country and the type of boat. In France, a sailboat can be chartered without any license at all, regardless of its length; for a powerboat of more than 6 hp, the French coastal license (permis plaisance option côtière) is mandatory. In the rest of the world, a license is almost always required: a coastal license is enough in the vast majority of cases, while an offshore license is only needed for the most demanding destinations (open-sea crossings, offshore passages).
Good to know: your license terms apply wherever you sail. A coastal license typically limits sailing to 6 nautical miles from a safe harbor, in France as well as abroad. A charter company may therefore refuse to hand over a boat for an offshore trip if your license does not cover the distance.
What Is the ICC (International Certificate of Competence)?
The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is the most widely accepted boating credential worldwide. It is not a separate exam in most cases: it is the official equivalent of your national license, issued in a standardized format that charter companies recognize in many countries. If you sail outside your home waters, it is the single document most likely to be accepted at the base.
The Sailing Résumé: The Document That Really Decides
Beyond the legal paperwork, your sailing résumé 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 vacation.
What the Charter Company Actually Looks At
The charter company compares the experience you have declared with the boat you want to charter 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 docking maneuvers 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 license. 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 | License | VHF certificate | Recommended level |
|---|---|---|---|
| France (sailboat) | None (engine > 6 hp: coastal license) | No (when sailing close to shore) | Beginner-friendly, line-of-sight sailing |
| Croatia | Coastal license or ICC | Yes, mandatory | Beginner to intermediate |
| Greece | ICC + qualified co-skipper often required | Often requested | Intermediate (Cyclades: meltemi) |
| Italy | Coastal license or ICC | Varies by area | Intermediate |
| Spain / Balearics | Coastal license or ICC | Varies by area | Intermediate |
| Turkey | Coastal license or ICC | Often requested | Beginner to intermediate |
| Seychelles | Offshore license | Often requested | Experienced, offshore |
| British Virgin Islands (BVI) | No license required, but sailing résumé requested | No | Beginner to intermediate (sheltered waters, line-of-sight sailing) |
| Grenadines (St. Vincent to Grenada) | No license required, but sailing résumé 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, the charter company or its representative holds a technical briefing. They will show you around the boat and may assess your first maneuvers. 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 Enough Experience? Your Options
A bareboat charter is not the place to learn to sail. If your experience is limited, you have several options:
- Charter with a skipper: you enjoy the cruise and learn from them along the way, with no stress and no license formalities.
- Train at a sailing school: this is the real way to acquire the basics, then your license 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 license, the right certificate or the experience expected? Do not book blind. A Filovent advisor will review your profile and point you toward the right level of boat and destination. For any questions, contact your Filovent advisor or our concierge team at +33 1 70 80 97 35.
