There are a bevy of options when it comes to choosing a charter based on the vessel and location you want, your level of experience and how much you want to spend. One could write a tome about how to go about finding the right experience and several people have, meaning there is plenty of material to look to for help.

In my case, I spent a few hours on the Internet, made a few phone calls and found that I could not locate exactly what I wanted. There was no Mainship 40 to be had for a single day, which was all the time I had for our small adventure. Instead, I found a Mainship 39 located in a marina just under the Gate. It was not the same boat, but close enough for my purposes. I faxed in the paperwork, which called for a summary of my boating experience, and was flattered when they accepted my request.

I have chartered perhaps a dozen boats of different sizes–power and sail–in waters from the Caribbean to the Pacific coast and Hawaii. I make no claim to be an expert, but I have picked up some experience along the way. Like all things on the water, a little preparation goes a long way.

The marine gear you take might vary a bit according to the destination and the boat–you can skip the snorkel and fins in Alaska, for example–but I have a short list of items I consider essential, all of which I took with me to San Francisco.

I brought a half dozen paper charts in a waterproof tube; a chart book; some pencils; a portable GPS, loaded with a chip for the Bay; a hand-held VHF and its charger; a set of binoculars; and a hand-held weather indicator. I brought backup batteries for everything.

In terms of tools, I had a Gerber multi-tool; a set of small hex wrenches; an adjustable wrench; two medium-sized screwdrivers; one large flat-head screwdriver, a deck fill key and two standard flashlights. I had a role of rescue tape, good for patching leaky pipes or lines, and a handful of wire ties, good for everything else. I also tossed roles of duct and masking tape into my bag, along with a large felt marker, with the intent of labeling things during the shakedown if needed.

CLOTHES AND SAFETY

I brought a rain jacket, but I passed on full foul weather gear. If it was that nasty–or might get that nasty–we would either stay close to port or skip the trip altogether. I did bring my four best Mustang PFDs, which are designed to inflate when they hit water and have emergency strobes and whistles attached. I bring my own–one for every person on the boat–because I know that they fit us and that the cartridges are sound.

I also brought four laser flares, which are designed to attract attention at night. I had no plans to cruise after dark, but wanted to be prepared just in case. I have never tried it, but traveling with traditional flares might be difficult because they are considered hazardous materials. Laser flares have no such problem. I still expect the charter company to follow the law and have flares on the boat, but I don't want to take any chances.

Boating with small children requires a special set of gear.Because we cruise with young children, I also carry some special gear because charter boats won't be childproofed like our trawler at home. This includes child-sized PFDs, each with a crotch strap and a harness ring; a small-sized Graco Pack "˜N Play, the ubiquitous portable crib-playpen combination; and several coils of line in various sizes, which I use to make safety ties. If we had planned to be aboard overnight, I would have had more items, such as safety plugs for electrical sockets.

The usual personal stuff–spare clothes, sunscreen, glasses and such–also came along, as did the usual toys, toiletries and clothes for the kiddies. I'll spare you the list, because everyone's personal items are different, but you should spend some time thinking about how to dress and what you want on hand. Nothing kills a trip like being too hot, too cold or too wet.

Of course, you can't bring it all. The best strategy is to make sure you charter a boat that has the essential gear you want, things you cannot bring or rent. For example, I wanted a powerboat with a full electronic suite–plotter, radar, depth and autopilot–and a dinghy or life raft. If the boat had not had proper electronics or safety equipment, I would not have rented it. Once you have the right boat with the right gear, you can talk to the company about smaller items and correct for any deficiencies.

NAVIGATION AND LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Of course, preparation extends beyond gear. I wanted to map a course out in advance and learn a bit more about how weather in the Bay behaved. I started by ordering paper charts and a chart card for my hand-held, and reading what I could. I then went to someone with local knowledge to discuss the trip. It was equal parts charming and maddening that this expert was my dad.