Frequently asked questions

All catamarans are equipped with a galley so you can prepare your own meals. The basic equipment is available: gas stove, fridge, cooking utensils and crockery. Some boats have a freezer and oven. Be sure to read the boat's technical specifications. Be sure to include plenty of bottled water for cooking and drinking.

For cabin cruises: an indicative itinerary is generally proposed. This may be modified by the skipper if conditions require. For a boat rental :

• You have chosen to hire a professional skipper. You'll be able to work out a rough route with him, according to your wishes and possibilities. This route can be modified by the skipper if conditions require.
• You rent your catamaran without a skipper. You decide on your itinerary. We advise you to browse our suggestions in our destinations pages (link to a destination page).

Sailing with children requires special supervision. When sailing, children keep their lifejackets on. For very young children (under 20kg), ask the rental company if they have suitable lifejackets. If not, you can buy one before you leave. Some rental companies offer the option of installing a safety net on the side ropes. In most cases, there are no safety nets on the bow or stern of the boat. Bring appropriate clothing and equipment (non-slip shoes, hats, sunglasses). When sailing, children must be seated at cockpit level at the stern of the catamaran. Don't hesitate to provide games. Plan a suitable itinerary for a first experience with children, with calm seas and pleasant temperatures. Limit sailing time, adapting the program according to age and experience.

Depending on the climate of your destination and the purpose of your outing, your clothing will obviously need to be adapted. However, there are a few classics you need to know to protect yourself from the sun, humidity, cold and wind. Sailing classics :

• The jacket: if you intend to sail regularly, you can invest in a watch jacket. This will have reflective strips and a fluorescent hood, so you'll be easy to spot if you fall overboard. You can also choose to wear another type of mountain jacket, but it will need to be windproof, breathable and waterproof (such as a Gore tex membrane).

 

• Dungarees or pants: as for the jacket, you can choose to invest in a pair of dungarees, but waterproof, windproof and breathable pants will be fine, depending on your sailing style. Depending on your destination, shorts or Bermuda shorts will probably suffice.

 

• Feet: The idea is to keep feet and ankles supported. A pair of boots will be useful mainly for winter sailing. Sailing slippers are a good option. Boat shoes (or moccasins) are widely used for sailing. They feature a ridged, non-slip rubber sole, and can be used both at sea and ashore during stopovers.

No pointed heels on board! Walking barefoot on a boat is not recommended, as the deck can be slippery!  

• If the destination or the period suggests it, think about the first and second layers: thermal underwear and a fleece or softshell. Also a pair of gloves, a choker, a hat and socks.

 

• The cap with clip at the back.

In the open sea, the sun can be harsh on the skin, and you need the right clothing to protect you.

France is the rare country that doesn't require yachtsmen to have a license to rent a catamaran. However, a nautical CV is required as proof of experience. On the other hand, a boating license is required to drive a dinghy with an outboard motor of over 6 HP. Depending on the destination country, the requirements are not the same. Before booking your bareboat catamaran, check with ACM Keep Sailing to make sure you are aware of the requirements in your destination country. For more information, see our Destinations pages (link to Destinations pages).

Institut Pasteur 's vaccination and prevention advice by destination.

For French nationals, see France diplomatie for administrative formalities.

A deposit is required for the catamaran. This must be deposited with the rental company either in advance or on the day of embarkation by credit card. Please ensure that the amount is available on the account used and that the credit card limit has been released. To insure your deposit, ACM Keep Sailing recommends that you take out Excess Redemption insurance. In the event of an incident at sea, if the security deposit is retained by the rental company, the amount will be reimbursed to you by the insurance (excluding the residual deductible). You can take out Excess Redemption insurance with our partner Ouest Assurances.

If you do not have a valid nautical CV, we will ask you to hire the services of a professional skipper. Even with a skipper on board, you remain the signatory of the rental contract. You are therefore responsible for the boat. The skipper sleeps aboard the boat, so he or she will need a berth either in a cabin reserved for him or her, or in the saloon, or in a converted headland. The skipper does not cook or clean the boat. For cooking, you can hire a hostess to prepare meals and clean the saloon. The hostess must have her berth either in a cabin reserved for her, or in a specially equipped headland. If you take on the services of a skipper and/or hostess, remember to include them in your provisioning.

If you do not have a valid nautical CV, we will ask you to hire the services of a professional skipper. Even with a skipper on board, you remain the signatory of the rental contract. You are therefore responsible for the boat. The skipper sleeps aboard the boat, so he or she will need a berth either in a cabin reserved for him or her, or in the saloon, or in a converted headland. The skipper does not cook or clean the boat. For cooking, you can hire a hostess to prepare meals and clean the saloon. The hostess must have her berth either in a cabin reserved for her, or in a specially equipped headland. If you take on the services of a skipper and/or hostess, remember to include them in your provisioning.