How to Charter

You can request a charter by emailing us at sail@califiacharters.com, with the desired date, the type of charter, the number of people on board, and a summary of your experience.

If you submitted a request for a bareboat charter, we will send you a form for your detailed boating resume. After we received the resume we will determine whether your qualification is sufficient. If it is, we will approve the charter and send you the charter agreement. Once signed we can start the check-out process.

In case of a captained charter we will appoint a certified captain from our team to your charter.

If this is your first charter with Califia Charters, we will do an in-person walk-through of the vessel and its systems. For subsequent charters we will provide a detailed check-in and check-out form.

Crew Requirements

To charter Califia we require the skipper to be Bareboat Cruising certified, and on additional crew member to be Basic Cruising certified or with similar experience. If you have been approved to charter Rabbit Hole, we will honor this approval.

Our Charter Rates

Charter Type	Period	Crew Requirement	Base Rate	Multi Day Discount	Charter Rate
Weekday Charter (Mon – Thu)	Day Charter	Min 2 experienced Max 6	$425	N/A	$425
Weekend Day Charter (Fri – Sun)	Day Charter	Min 2 experienced Max 6	$625	N/A	$625
Weekend Charter (any 2 of Fri–Sun)	Day Charter	Min 2 experienced Max 6	$1,250	10%	$1,125
Long Weekend Charter (Fri–Sun)	Day Charter	Min 2 experienced Max 6	$1,875	15%	$1,595
Week Charter (7 consecutive days)	Day Charter	Min 2 experienced Max 6	$3,575	20%	$2,860

Captained and instructional charter will add the fee of the captain/instructor to the charter rate, the rate may vary.

Cancellation Policy

More than 30 Days Prior to Charter

Payments made will be fully refunded, less a $75 administrative processing fee.

7–30 Days Prior to Charter

Payments made are non-refundable, but may be applied as a credit toward a future charter, subject to availability. The charter rate in effect for the rescheduled charter date will apply. If the rescheduled charter is priced higher, the charterer will be responsible for the difference.

Less than 7 Days Prior to Charter

The full charter fee is non-refundable.

Summary of Charter Rules & Operational Restrictions

The following summary outlines the charter rules and operational restrictions we anticipate operating under during initial operations. These guidelines will evolve over time as experience is demonstrated and approvals are expanded.

1. Navigation Time Restrictions (Default for all uses)

No navigation is permitted after dusk or before dawn
Night navigation is permitted only when it is:
- A defined and approved component of an instructional curriculum, and
- Conducted under direct instructor supervision
Departure and return timing depends on the tides. A minimum tide of 1ft is required to leave and enter the Ballina Isle Marina
Absent specific written authorization, all operations are daylight only

2. Geographic & Navigational Limits

San Francisco Bay and adjacent waters east of the Golden Gate Bridge
Overnight stays at a different location are subject to approval of the location and the itinerary
All navigation must comply with applicable local, state, and federal maritime regulations

3. Bareboat Charter Requirements

All bareboat charters crews must include:

One qualified skipper
One additional experienced crew member
Maximum 6 persons aboard

Required minimum qualification

US Sailing Bareboat Charter or similar
At least 5 documented charters on Califia or a comparable vessel
In-person vetting for first charter

4. Weather & Sea State Restrictions

Operations are prohibited under unsafe conditions, including but not limited to:
- Sustained or forecast winds exceeding approved limits
- Sea state or swell conditions exceeding vessel or operator capability
- Reduced visibility, including fog or heavy precipitation, below safe operating minimums
The operator (captain or charterer) is required to make conservative go / no-go decisions based on current and forecast conditions

5. Impaired Use & Substance Restrictions

Zero tolerance for impairment while underway. Safety culture is non-negotiable.
No person may operate or be in control of the vessel while impaired by alcohol, cannabis. or illegal drugs
Alcohol consumption by operators is strictly prohibited while navigating
Alcohol use must never precede assumption of navigational control
The company reserves the right to immediately terminate any charter if impairment is suspected

6. Compliance & Enforcement

All charter operations must comply with these restrictions unless explicitly authorized in writing. These guidelines meet or exceed insurer requirements and recognized industry best practices.
Violation may result in:
- Immediate termination of the charter
- Forfeiture of charter privileges,
- Suspension or permanent revocation of future access

7. Vessel Tracking & Monitoring

All company vessels are equipped with redundant tracking and monitoring systems. Use of company vessels constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of this monitoring as part of standard operating procedure
Vessel position, movement, and operational data may be monitored in real time or reviewed post-charter
Data may be used for:
- Safety oversight
- Instructional feedback
- Operational review
- Compliance verification

Our Commitment

Sailing is a lifelong discipline — one that demands preparation, humility, and respect for the sea.

We believe sailing belongs in community. Skill is built through shared experience, mentorship, and time underway. By placing capable cruising yachts into service, we create meaningful access — to the water, to seamanship, and to the leadership that comes from taking responsibility offshore.

Our work is straightforward: stewardship of a well-maintained yacht is the foundation of safety, confidence, and purposeful time on the water. We uphold professional standards so that every sailor who steps aboard can focus on learning, growing, and experiencing the Bay with trust in the vessel beneath them.

We honor the traditions of safe passage making and support sailors in becoming steady, capable mariners for life.

Safe Charters are our priority