Click on the links below to view more information in the various cruising options available :
It is possible to hire most of our launches, yacht and runabouts as a bareboat if the skipper/crew has adequate boating experience. The experience of the skipper will have to be obtained on a vessel similar to the vessel chartered.
If your party does not have the necessary experience, or you might just want to sit back and relax while one of our professional skippers shows you around the Sounds. Our skipper will not mind helping out everywhere or to teach you some boating skills. Also a host(ess), dive master, cook etc can be arranged.
A bit rusty in the nautical department? not enough experience? or getting used to a larger yacht or launch? Then this is the option for you. We will teach you all you need at the start of your charter as part of your charter time. The tuition can vary from one hour to several days depending on your needs. You will then be able to enjoy the rest of your charter with yourself behind the wheel?
If you are a bit short on time and would like to cover a large area, it is possible to leave the vessel at a different location after finishing your charter. This will have to be arranged prior to commencing your charter. This option is not always possible depending on the booking schedule and workload of the Compass Crew. This option is often taken, as sailing or motoring back to the Queen Charlotte from Pelorus or Nelson is at least another day’s charter. We can relocate vessels from most locations depending on infrastructure and facilities. Popular places are: The Portage in Kenepuru Sound, Havelock and Nelson.
We have 3 runabouts on offer with which to enjoy the local waterways. The 6-meter runabouts only have Survey Limits for enclosed waters. Huntsman and later maybe more vessels are available with a registered trailer. These boats can be towed to the other parts of the survey area like Pelorus Sound, Tasman Bay, Port Underwood and even Nelson Lakes. If you do want the vessel on a trailer please specify when booking. We can help you find accommodation in the Sounds or in Waikawa while chartering our runabouts.
We have and will develop more trips together with other operators to offer as much as possible of what the Sounds and Marlborough have to offer. Do not hesitate to ask about different combinations.
Compass Charters has the right to put a limit to your yacht or launch for your cruising area. The reasons for this can be the length of your charter, your vessel or your level of experience. Of course we will notify you about this before the start of your charter. Also the weather can limit the area you originally set out to discover.
The number of people allowed onboard the vessel during charter will be equal to the maximum number given in the information, which will be equivalent to the number of berths.
This can be different during the day depending on skipper’s qualifications and destination.
Some vessels are allowed to venture out of Tory channel, again dependent on skippers qualification and experience. Again this will have to be verified before the start of your charter.