Ready Set Sail: Marina del Rey Boat Charters
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READY, SET, SAIL: MARINA DEL REY BOAT CHARTERS
Getting Out On The Water Is Easy Thanks To The Marina's Charter Companies
What’s a visit to Marina del Rey without getting out on the water? Any trip to the harbor just isn’t complete without taking advantage of the only place in Los Angeles where there’s immediate access to a marina full of sleek sail boats, fast power boats and luxury yachts. What’s more, you don’t have to own one, or know how to sail, in order to climb aboard. For absolute beginners, a four-hour skippered charter is just the ticket to experience the open ocean and get a yachtsman’s point of view during a Santa Monica Bay tour. Other options include packing a sexy picnic for two, or planning a wine and cheese tasting party on the water. With more than a dozen companies offering a variety of private charters and services to the novice guppy or the more experienced Popeye, an afternoon adventure or a day at sea is smooth sailing.
What's available:
Charter companies based in Marina del Rey’s calm harbor range from companies with large ships for private events and weddings with 300 guests to fleet companies that offer 10 or more boats in their roster for a variety of sailing adventures, to single-boat operators who sail away for half-day Santa Monica Bay cruises with just one to four people aboard.
Types of charters:
Types of charters: Aside from companies who specialize in big events, there are two ways to get out on the water when you charter your own boat. If you’re an experienced sailor and want to be the captain of your own small ship, then you’ll want a bareboat charter. (Companies that offer bareboat charters will need a sailing resume to make sure that you’re experienced enough before you take their boats into the big blue sea.) For folks who just want to sit back and enjoy the ride, then it’s the skippered charter you’re after.
How to do it:
Booking a skippered charter for individuals or small groups is easy: all you need to do is pick a date, pick your company and boat, put down the plastic, sign your release of liability, and you’re ready to go. Almost all of the companies have pictures and descriptions of vessels on their websites, which will help you to get a feel for the size and layout of the boats. Payment policies for the different companies vary, but most require paying in full before you leave the dock. Know that the price most likely will include the rental fee for the boat, cleaning and refueling costs, marina fees, and taxes. Skipper fees may be quoted as part of the price, or as a separate fee based on an hourly rate or per block of time. Depending on the company and the type of boat you charter, rates and fees for a three-hour sunset cruise, or an afternoon sailing the Santa Monica Bay will vary but expect a starting cost of about $550 to $650 for a private 32-foot boat with skipper and prices go up from there. Fleet companies advise booking your trip at least a few days in advance, some single-boat operators will need at least one day notice, and as with planning any party or event, the bigger the to-do, the more advanced notice you’ll need for the reservation. The concierges at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey and Marina del Rey Marriott will also help you find a company and make your reservations.
Single Boat Operators
These companies are run by captains who own one boat that can hold a minimum of one person and a maximum of eight people. Vessels range from a custom-designed luxury yacht to an authentic hand-oared Italian gondola.
Fairwind Enterprises (310-293-1744; fairwind-llc.com) features private charters aboard a luxury Cranchi Atlantique 40, a 2004 40-foot Flybridge Motor Yacht, named Hye Park that is ideal for short cruises for small groups. The interior of the yacht includes leather couches, a full kitchen, two staterooms, a dining room table and extra-large windows for a 360-degree view. The covered teak deck on the stern of the vessel is a favorite place for passengers to sit back and take in the scenery. Fairwind provides harbor tours, sunset sails, day sails, and cruises to Catalina Island. Rates vary depending on the specific needs of each charter and can include food and drinks.
Gondola D'Amore (Berth D-3713, 310-736-7301; gondoladamore.com) offers one and two-hour Marina excursions for up to six people in a 32-foot luxuriously appointed, hand-oared Italian gondola, complete with gondolier, authentic Italian pillows, flickering oil lamps and soft music. A fresh rose, ice bucket with ice and bottle opener come with the ride, as does a sumptuous spread of Italian cured meats, cheese, fruit, bread, crackers and chocolate. Dinner aboard the gondola can be arranged, and caviar and reflexology massages are also available.
Paradise Bound Yacht Charters (310-578-7963; the-calculating-lady.com/CaptAlex) features private harbor cruises, dinner cruises, and day sailing aboard The Silver Eagle, a 42-foot Catalina sailing yacht berthed at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey. The boat can seat up to six people and is often booked through The Ritz-Carlton. Charter trips can also be custom-created to include gourmet-catered dinners. Excursions have a two-hour minimum.
Ronin Yacht Charters (310-770-3090; roninyachtcharters.com), offers day sails along the Santa Monica Bay and sails to Catalina aboard the Ronin, a one-of-a-kind custom-built 61-foot racing-style sailing yacht. Built in 1993, this “condo on the water” has a spacious teak deck and a teak wood interior with a leather seating area, full galley, 70-inch projection TV with satellite dish and three staterooms. This owner-captain operated luxury yacht can accommodate individuals to groups of 12. All charters are custom.
Fleet Companies
These companies offer 10 or more privately owned boats available for skippered or bareboat charters. Charter companies rely on a pool of privately-owned boats, which will sometimes come in and out of charter use. The boats range in size from 22 feet to 50 feet, and can accommodate individuals to groups of 12. Some companies can also arrange charters for larger parties, and most offer sailing, navigation and power boat driving classes and certification.
Blue Pacific Boating (310-398-8830; bluepacificboating.com) offers both bareboat charters and private skippered charters for individuals and small groups. The company, also known as SeaMist Skippers, features a fleet of around 30 privately-owned boats ranging in size from 32-feet to 50-feet, including sail and motor vessels. Blue Pacific’s popular boats include “La Controla Nada,” a new SeaRay Sundancer 280 power boat with white leather interior, “Emily Claire,” a sleek 44-foot Beneteau sail boat that seats up to 10 and “Take Two,” a 42-foot Hunter sailboat. Boats are booked by the day and skippers are booked by the hour. Blue Pacific also offers sailing, navigation, and power boat courses that can lead to American Sailing Association certification.
Blue Water Sailing (310-823-5545; bluewatersailing.com) features both private skippered and bareboat charters aboard a fleet of about a dozen privately-owned sail boats. The boats range in size from a 14-foot Capri sail boat to 42-foot Catalina sail boat. Boats can be chartered in four-hour increments for groups of four to five and for full-day excursions with groups of five to 12 people. The company also offers sailing and power boat classes. For bareboat charters, Blue Water requires joining their yacht club. The company is renowned for its training programs which can lead to both American Sailing Association certification and International Yachtmaster Training.
Golden West Yachts International (14025 Panay Way, 310-823-3838; goldenwestyachts.com) is both a yacht brokerage and a charter company. Golden West is known for delivering customized charters for business, but will happily accommodate private parties in finding just the right vessel for a day or evening at sea. The company features a dozen privately-owned power vessels that can accommodate small groups of six or more. All of Golden West’s charters are custom and include a licensed captain. Arrangements can also be made for a gourmet chef and additional crew. Golden West does not offer bareboat charters. Some of the most popular boats include a 70-foot Johnson motor yacht that seats 12 and a 50-foot Crianchi, a highly styled Italian speed yacht.
Marina Sailing (310-822-6617; marinasailing.com) is a charter company and a sailing school that offers skippered and bareboat charters. The company’s fleet in the marina includes around 26 boats of varying size from budget-friendly sail and motor boats to higher-end yachts, including 32-foot Catalina sail boats, a 35-foot Jeanneau Sun Odyssey and a 38-foot Hunter. For a skippered charter, the company charges a fee for the boat and four or eight hour increments for the skipper. Marina Sailing also offers complete sailing courses for American Sailing Association certification.
Party Boats, Public Sails and Large Private Events
Marina del Rey’s large charter companies feature yachts that can accommodate groups from 25 to 300. While all are available for private group rental, Hornblower Cruises & Events and Marina del Rey Sport Fishing offer public trips where you can simply buy a ticket and hop aboard.
Hornblower Cruises & Events (Fisherman's Village, 13755 Fiji Way, 866-548-9563; Hornblower.com) offers private charters for weddings, corporate events and parties as well as an array of enticing public cruises that feature live entertainment and breathtaking harbor views. The company is known for its weekend dinner dance cruises and cocktail cruises. Hornblower also features weekend champagne brunches, lunches and holiday-themed cruises all year long, with festive décor, music and buffets. Reservations recommended.
FantaSea Yachts & Yacht Club (4215 Admiralty Way, 310-827-2220; fantaseayachts.com) boasts three large yachts complete with dance floors, sound systems and open-air decks. The Dandeana, Regentsea and FantaSea One can accommodate groups from 150 people to 400 people, plus the company’s land-based yacht club holds another 300. With a full-service event staff, in-house catering and decoration services, FantaSea boasts a range of options for weddings and myriad social occasions that include everything from food and china to decorations.
Marina del Rey Sporfishing (310-822-3625; marinadelreysportfishing.com) makes getting out on the water easy. This company features public half-day and 3/4-day fishing excursions, as well as private charters. The New Del Mar and Betty-O are sport fishing boats with fully equipped galleys. Private charter packages can be arranged, and public trips depart mornings and afternoons. The company can supply licenses, poles and bait. Advanced reservations are recommended. Prices are $56 fee for half day excursion that includes fare, required license and tackle; $66 for a 3/4-day trip.
Tiki Mermaid (310-306-0020; tikimermaid.com) ) is a casual “Trader Vic” style Polynesian-themed party boat that can carry up to 75 guests on two floors with two outdoor decks, a bar and a dance floor. With menus created by the ship’s master chef, cocktail parties, engagement parties and other events are a delight on this venue.
Crown Pacific Cruises (310-577-9177; crownpacific.net) features two boats, the Shoreline and Miss Christie, which can accommodate between 50 to 100 people. The company specializes in private charters, which can include a catered buffet dinner or cocktails, but will occasionally create public events where passengers can buy tickets to a public cruise.
River Galley Cruises (310-821-8895; rivergalleycruises.com) provides Marina del Rey’s only houseboat for private charters for up to 49 people. This ship is known for hosting office parties, business meetings, sunset cruises and other special events.
CVB Contact:
For more visitor information, including recommendations specific to your needs, contact the Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau at 310-305-9545. More information is also available on line at www.VisitMarina.com, or stop by the Marina del Rey Visitor Information Center, 4701 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292.