Charter FAQ

What experience do I need to charter from Bay Breeze?
The primary element we look at is your experience at the helm as the designated Captain in charge of the vessel and safety of the crew. We also look at your charter history if any and boats you have owned in the past and currently. Your primary cruising grounds are also an important element of your sailing experience. Experience as “crew” is a valuable part of your sailing resume’ and should be documented in your log book. It is not considered primary experience to charter a vessel.

I have not chartered or piloted a boat in quite awhile?
If it has been some time since you last helmed a boat and you think your skills have become tarnished a bit, we can help. Bay Breeze can set you up with a Captain that will get your confidence back and give you the comfort level needed to have an enjoyable charter for yourself and crew. Having a Captain onboard is not an admission to not knowing what you are doing. This is the absolute best way to get back into the motions and get comfortable with the boat and its systems. It will also give you an opportunity to chat with someone who knows the area very well and can point you in the right direction.

What are your cancellation policy terms?
It is Bay Breeze’s policy to ensure you have an enjoyable sailing vacation with your family and friends. We realize elements of life happen and very little can be done to control them. Bay Breeze Yacht Charters cancellation policy is the most generous and flexible in the charter industry. All balances are due 45 days prior to your charter commencement. If you must cancel outside 45 days of your charter scheduled dates, your deposit of $500 will be retained and credited to the current year on another charter or to the end of the next charter season. If cancellation occurs within the 45 day period, your balance will be credited to the current year on another charter or to the end of the next charter season. If you do not exercise your charter deposit or balance within the allotted period, your deposit or balance is forfeited. If you choose to reschedule your charter again and utilize your deposit or balance in the current year or next charter season, the balance of the total charter will be due upon making your reservation. If you cancel after making reservations a second time, the total balance is forfeited. This cancellation policy applies to the Michigan charter fleet.

Is the Traverse City base the only charter termination and origination points?
Traverse City is our home base of operations. Positioning a boat for charter elsewhere proves to be a logistical challenge and affects the scheduling of a boat prior and after the week of your desired charter. There are occasional opportunities to originate from ports other than Traverse City. Call us to check availability.

What cruising grounds and points of interest are in your area?
Northern Lake Michigan is notorious for its exceptional cruising grounds and points of interest. The surrounding areas are rich with great harbors, excellent anchorages and protected cruising grounds to name a few. Please visit our Ports O’ Call page to get the full picture on where to go and what to see.

Where is Bay Breeze and can I fly into Traverse City?
Bay Breeze is located just two miles from downtown Traverse City and five miles from the airport. Cherry Capitol Airport is served by Northwest, United and American Airlines and fed by the Detroit and Chicago hubs. The airport code is TVC. We can arrange pickup at the airport for you and your party. By car Bay Breeze is two hours north of Grand Rapids, 5 hours northwest of Detroit and about six hours from Chicago.

Traverse City Cherry Capitol Airport

Are there adequate provisioning, lodging and amenities near your facility?
Bay Breeze is located at the base of the Leelanau Peninsula. Within a two mile radius are several places to provision from a large grocery store to small delis and convenience stores. Several major accommodations are within the Traverse City area. Traverse City is renowned for its offerings of restaurants, cafes, organic stores and many other culinary specialty stores. When you arrive at Bay Breeze, a guide of amenities will be available for your review.

What are the Collision Damage Waiver and Security Deposit all about?
There have been many changes in the marine insurance industry that have forced us to change our security deposit program. Insurance costs have risen dramatically. In order to protect the owner’s interest and provide affordable security deposits to our charter customers, we have added an additional layer of insurance, the Damage Waiver (DW). All charters will provide a $600 refundable security deposit in the form of a signed credit card voucher. The voucher will not be processed. Additionally a $25 per day fee will be assessed at the time of your booking to relieve you of any additional financial exposure or liability excess of the $600 and the total of your Damage Waiver. If you have additional questions, please contact us toll free at 877-941-0535.