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Welcome Aboard!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What's the weather like? Does it rain a lot?
A. The weather is generally mild all year long. The
summers are mostly sunny with temperatures
ranging from the low 70's to the low 80's (19° to
20° C). Much of the cruising areas of the Pacific
Northwest are in the "rain shadow" of high
mountains that block many of the weather systems
that come in off the Pacific Ocean. The result is that
rainfall can be as little as 20 inches annually in
some areas. There is even a variety of cactus that
flourish on the Western slopes of certain islands.
Q. What are the winds like and when is the best
time of year to sail?
A. From May to October the winds are mostly
moderate (6-18 knots). This varies by locality and
time of day with the fresher breezes occurring
among the island archipelagoes. Some sailors
choose the late spring and early summer for their
sailing charter when the weather can be brilliant
and the breezes fresh.
Q. What time of year should we charter?
A. Each season brings with it its own beauty and
appeal. Although summer is the most popular,
many prefer the spring or late fall when the crowds
are less and the boating can be terrific. June is the
month with the most daylight hours. May is a time
to mix world class skiing with spectacular cruising.
Late fall is a favorite time to visit the myriad of
harbor side villages and hospitable resorts.
Q. What should we bring with us?
A. Depending on the time of year or your destinations,
you will need suitable clothes for the season. Don't
forget sunglasses and suntan lotion. AYC provides
linens & towels for all charters and even optional
provisioning.
Q. What are the necessary qualifications to charter
a boat?
A. To qualify to skipper a bareboat charter, AYC does
not require specific certifications. The operator
must meet the following criteria:
· Recent practical experience skippering aboard a
similar size and type of vessel.
· Experience in tidal waters.
On charter day you will receive a Check-Out of the
yacht including a systems orientation, observation of
your boat handling skills and a chart review of your
cruising area to confirm the skipper's ability to
maneuver the vessel. It is not intended to teach boat
handling skills. If you would like additional training,
AYC has ASA certified instruction, with a wide variety
of programs to sharpen your skills and/or completely
train you and your crew for your cruising vacation.
Please visit www.ayc.com for full details.
Plan and plot your course...
· Plan your vacation, trouble free. Simply view
our fleet on-line and choose from
the largest and best selection of yachts
available in the Pacific Northwest.
· Our friendly Reservation Specialists are
standing by to take your call and assist
with every detail, from choosing your yacht
to planning your itinerary.
Welcome Aboard!
· Relax and enjoy as your adventure begins!
From the moment you come aboard, our
unparalleled customer service team will meet
your every need.
· We offer a full range of extra services you
won't find anywhere else.
· Complimentary services include linens and
towels, courtesy tent for luggage drop off, dock
staff to assist with loading, in town shuttle
service, outboards on all power boats, secure
parking, ice, galley propane and outboard fuel
to get you started.
· Special services offered to enhance your
journey: kayaks, sport boats, fishing gear,
outboards and a wide range of meal
provisioning.
Your Adventure continues...
· Enjoy a carefree passage aboard a yacht from
the finest fleet in the Pacific Northwest; AYC
staff and their chase boat are on call to meet
your needs.
· Return year after year to this magical place and
benefit from the best Loyalty Program in the
industry. Earn special discounts on future AYC
and Moorings charters along with other great
benefits.
Your Cruising Adventure begins...