Q. How
do I get to the Whitsundays?
Located on the Central Queensland coast
just north of Mackay, the Whitsundays can
be accessed by air, car, bus and rail. International
airports are located at Cairns and Brisbane. 
Click
here for further information
Q.
Can I have my vessel delivered to Hamilton
Island?
Just make your request when booking and
we can deliver your vessel at the start
of your charter and pick it up upon your
conclusion from Hamilton Island (charges
apply)
Q.
How many days should we charter for?
If you have the time we strongly recommend
seven nights as a minimum period in which
to experience and appreciate the 74 islands
of the Whitsunday chain. Certainly most
of our clients who opt for a lesser period
(minimum five nights) regret not having
the extra time to unwind and explore.
Q.
What time can I start my charter?
All charterers commence at 12.00 midday
on your day of departure. You are welcome
to arrive at our base at 11.30am in order
to finalise any paperwork. Your charter
Briefer will collect you from our air-conditioned
reception lounge and take you to your vessel.
On your final day you will need to return
to our base in Shute Harbour by 12.00 midday.
The same applies if returning to Hamilton
island. Early briefs (8.00 am) can only
be confirmed the day prior to charter and
are dependant upon maintenance and vessel
rostering.
Q.
What do we need to bring?
Apart from food and clothing all vessels
come completely equipped right down to snorkelling
gear. We recommend light personal clothing,
a book, camera and possibly a tracksuit
for the cooler months of the year (June-September).
A good hat, sunglasses and sunscreen is
a must. Evening wear on all resorts is neat
casual.
Q.
How do we provision our vessel?
As our charter base is 12km from the nearest
supermarket we strongly recommend our provisioning
packages. This is important if your charter
commences on the day of your arrival into
the area and wish to maximise on your time
aboard. The nearest supermarket is in Cannonvale.
Read
more...
Q.
What happens if we run out of food?
Reordering provisions can be organised
via the radio onboard. We can arrange delivery
to a mutually agreeable location. For charterers
in excess of 8 nights we recommend a mid
charter turnaround back at our base (refuelling,
fresh linen, provisioning, etc.)
Q.
Is bareboating safe?
The Whitsunday region is one of the safest
boating playgrounds in the world. It is
sheltered from ocean swell by the Great
Barrier Reef. Further extensive protection
is also afforded by the numerous islands
which provide many completely protected
and calm natural anchorages.
We also make two scheduled radio calls to
you per day, at 8.00 am to establish your
plans for the day and then at 4.00 pm to
confirm that you are safely anchored for
the night. Clients may contact us through
out the day by radio. Mobile phone coverage
is presently available in approximately
75% of the anchorages.
Q.
Is it safe for children?
Being a fabulous family holiday many of
our charter groups consist of families with
small children. However, the regulation
life jackets do not cater for babies and
small children. We strongly recommend that
you provide children's lifejackets, these
are available for hire and must be ordered
prior to departure.
Q.
Do I need a licence?
No formal qualifications or great skill
is required to hire a bareboat from Whitsunday
Rent A Yacht. Our briefers will supply you
with the necessary training and are also
available for extra tuition if you require.
Q.
How much sailing experience do I need?
If you can handle a windsurfer or a sailing
dinghy, you should be able to confidently
sail one of our yachts. The principles of
sailing are the same. With our "easy
to follow" briefing techniques and
" easy to handle" rigging on our
vessels your briefer will show you the ropes
and give you the confidence your require.
Whether you are chartering a motor cruiser
or yacht the most important ingredient is
common sense. Read
more...
Q.
Do I have to know how to navigate?
No coastal navigation experience is needed.
Clear instruction for your briefer will
show you how to use the Whitsunday Chart
(map), tide tables and simple navigation
instruments to safely travel throughout
the Islands. As you are rarely more than
a couple of kilometres from land, "line
of sight" navigation is simple and
easy.
Q.
How do you prepare us for our trip?
On arrival at our charter base you will
be introduced to your sail briefer. He or
she will give you a thorough overview of
all aspects of the operation of the vessel
both below and above decks.
Next comes a very comprehensive Familiarisation
on all aspects of navigating through the
islands, weather conditions and suitable
anchorages. This is also a good time to
enquire about any specific interests you
may have (diving/fishing locations, walking
tracks, island resorts to visit, etc.).
Finally you will be taken for a sail to
see that you are fully conversant and confident
with the operation of your vessel.
Our briefers are all qualified and are
happy to provide your crew with plenty of
sailing and boat handling tips and training.
Your vessel briefing normally takes around
3 hours.
Q.
What happens if we get into trouble?
Help is always only a radio call away.
Our base station is manned from 8.00am till
5.00pm. After hours we give you the contact
details of a land based radio station who
can contact our off duty managers for any
emergencies.
If you have a concern, your first course
of action is to radio our base for advise.
Our experienced staff can assist you with
almost any problem. High speed helicopters
and commercial craft can generally respond
to any emergency within minutes. Whitsunday
Rent a Yacht also maintains its own high
speed power craft capable of day or night
time operation.
Q.
What sort of weather
can we expect?
We are situated near the Tropic of Capricorn.The
weather is tropical and pleasant virtually
all year around. From May to September the
islands are fanned by the SE winds while
the balance of the season have northerly
winds with calm periods. The 24 hour temperatures
range around 25 degree Celsius to 30 degree
Celsius in January and 17 degree Celsius
to 23 degree Celsius in July while the temperatures
are in the region of 27degree Celsius in
Jan and 22 degree Celsius in July
Q.
Can we visit island resorts?
Our charterers are welcome to use the facilities
of the island resorts and to join in the
fun. Mooring fees vary and range from approximately
$30 over night per vessel. An updated guide
to facilities and costs is provided on each
vessel. Visit
island resort site...
Q.
Are jellyfish or sharks a problem?
Jellyfish that cause the severe "irukandji
syndrome" symptoms may be experienced
throughout the warmer months of the year.
Box jellyfish can also be found during these
months but predominantly only along the
mainland. At all times we recommend that
our clients wear "stinger" lycra
suits both as an aid to avoiding coral scrapes,
sunburn and assisting in avoiding jellyfish
stings.
Concerns re venomous jellyfish must always
be tempered with the knowledge that the
risk of being stung is extremely small.
Sharks are generally not regarded as a
risk and do not create any greater threat
than that posed when swimming on any beach
on the Eastern Australian Seaboard.
Q.
Why choose Whitsunday Rent A Yacht?
By holidaying with Whitsunday Rent A Yacht,
your charter party will be in the care of
one of the Industry's most experienced professional
operators. You will benefit from over 20
years of experience for providing value
and service. Choose from vessels specifically
designed for your safety and pleasure.
Whitsunday Rent A Yacht is the only Whitsunday
operator to provide its own private facilities.
Our clients have exclusive use of Australia's
most modern bareboat charter base. Read
more...
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