Policies and Definitions
CHARTER BOOKING DEFINITIONS
MID-WEEK - Monday through Friday
WEEKEND - Saturday and Sunday
FULL DAY - 9:00 AM - 8:00 AM the next morning.
SUNSET - 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Monday through Friday only. Sunset reservations are not bookable online. Please call our office at (415) 331-8250 or email us to make a reservation.
LIVEABOARD - 4:00 PM - 8:00 AM. Friday through Sunday, charterers and ASA students may reserve a boat for sleeping aboard on a same-day basis only. Advance reservations for Monday through Thursday nights are available for our ASA students only.
SUMMER RATES - Summer rates are in effect during Daylight Saving Time season.
WINTER RATES - Winter rates are in effect during Standard Time season.
Early Sunset Benefit - The Early Sunset Benefit has been temporarily suspended. We will notify our members via the Weekly Newsletter email when we will be able to offer this benefit once again.
Staying Aboard Overnight - Full Day and Liveaboard Reservations permit sleeping aboard overnight. Be advised that Modern Sailing does not provide bedding, pillows, towels, and toiletries. Please bring your own pillow and sleeping bag or other bedding, towel(s), and toiletries as needed. To give our Fleet Staff time to prepare the boat for the day's sailing, please remove all belongings and be off the boat no later than 8:00 AM.
Multi-Day Discount - Multi-Day Charters are discounted 10% for two consecutive days and 15% off for three or more consecutive days.
Complimentary Advance Booking - Members may book up to 3 advance bareboat charter reservations, for which there is no payment due until the day of the charter. Advance bookings in excess of 3 (at any given time) will be prepaid in full. Consecutive multi-day charter reservations count as 1 booking.
CANCELLATION POLICY - Please give notice of cancellation 72 hours more before your reservation to avoid a cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 72 hours before your charter, there is a cancellation fee of 50% of the charter rate. During Standard Time (non-Daylight Saving season, typically early November through mid-March), the cancellation policy requires only 24 hours of notice.
CHARTER POLICIES
HIGH WIND
Over 20 knots (Sustained) - You must have at least a 2nd reef in the main sail.
Over 30 knots (Sustained) - You must douse the mainsail and jib and motor back as quickly as possible.
If it is determined that you did not follow above policies, you will be responsible for any and all damage caused to the vessel or bodily injury.
ANCHORING
If your anchor becomes snagged and you are unable to retrieve it, you must tie a fender to the anchor rode and release the balance of the rode overboard to be retrieved by a diver the next day. If you try to motor your anchor free and damage is caused, you will be responsible for any and all damage caused to the vessel.
RESTRICTED SAILING AREAS
Obey all navigation rules and local regulations.
- Platinum Fleet and Catamarans: Pier 1.5 in San Francisco is restricted.
- All Boats: Piers 39 & 41, Aquatic Park in SF, and Sam’s Café in Tiburon are restricted.
- All Boats: Anchoring at China Cove (Northside of Angel Island) is restricted due to underwater hazards.
- Charterers may not sail outside of San Francisco Bay beyond the line of demarcation between Mile Rock and Point Bonita.
Anyone sailing near shore or low water areas, through designated anchoring areas, or into/out of marina who causes damage to the charter vessel or any other vessel or property is fully responsible for all claims of damage.
NIGHT SAILING
To become qualified to sail or motor after sunset, you must either:
- Complete ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising at Modern Sailing School & Club; or
- Complete our Night Sailing Clinic.
Without one of these qualifications, sailing or motoring after dark is not permitted.
ALCOHOL ON BOARD
Anyone (skipper or guest) that is deemed intoxicated at the time of an accident will be fully responsible for all bodily injury or property damage as a result of that accident. You are not covered by insurance if intoxicated.
SINGLE-HANDED SAILING
Departing from the dock alone is not permitted. Crews must consist of 2 or more people.
LATE FEE
Please be mindful there may be members scheduled to charter after you. Return to dock with enough time to properly put away the boat and be off the boat by your scheduled time. If you are late returning your boat, a late fee will be applied of $75 for each half hour you are late.
ON BOARD POLICIES
Only the skipper on record can maneuver in and out of slips/docks.
Legal Limit for All Boats is 12 People - This legal limit is set by the Coast Guard. All of our boats have an individual Bareboat Capacity Recommendation that is based on how many people can sail comfortably.
- Pets are not permitted on boats.
- Fishing gear of any kind, including crab pots are prohibited.
- Modern Sailing sailboats are a smoke-free zone everywhere onboard.
- Check your guest's footwear. Please ensure all passengers' footwear have non-marking soles.
- Red wine is barred on boats as it stains decks and interiors.
- Do not raft up to any boats.
- Do not tow other boats.
Important—Waiver of Insurance: The company policies and procedures regarding use of the vessels charted through Modern Sailing School & Club are for the protection of the members, owners, and MSC. These policies and procedures must be adhered to strictly. The Skipper hereby acknowledges and agrees that he or she is familiar with and covenants to comply with said policies and procedures. As further consideration for the charter of the vessel pursuant to this Charter Agreement, the undersigned agrees that in the event that he or she willfully fails to comply with the policies and procedures regarding use of the chartered vessel, he or she shall be solely responsible for any and all damages that result from said failure and further does hereby expressly waive and forfeit coverage under any insurance policy providing coverage to MSSC individually or jointly with the Skipper. In addition to the Waiver above, the Skipper agrees that in the event of a loss or damage resulting from Skipper’s negligence, Skipper will reimburse MSC for the amount of any deductible due under MSC’s insurance coverage. I have read the foregoing and accept the foregoing waiver as set forth.
SKIPPER RESPONSIBILITIES CHECKLIST
Review the responsibilities of the captain and inform your crew about the list below. As a bareboat charterer, I understand that I'm in control and command of this vessel, regardless of who I've hired to help with local knowledge, navigation and crewing. It is also my responsibility to review and operate all vessels in accordance with current safe boating laws.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE ITEMS BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE DOCK
- Check the boat like a rental car. (Report any damage before you leave the dock)
- Make sure crew has proper footwear. (Non-marking soles)
- Instruct crew on location of all safety equipment including: fire extinguishers, life jackets, flotation devices, horn, and radio. (Channel 16 is for Emergencies and Coast Guard Help)
- Instruct crew on Man Overboard Procedures.
- Determine if your crew can swim. Encourage the use of life jackets. Children must wear life jackets.
- Appoint someone to be second in command in case something happens to the skipper.
- Check head operation: no paper of any kind in toliets. Please dispose in trash.
- Secure all hatches and windows before you begin to sail. Coil the shore power cord.
- Do not unzip the dodger windows.
- If you have any questions about boat operations, please check in with the MSC team.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE ITEMS WHEN YOU RETURN
- Secure all halyards away from mast, fold and stow or cover all sails, and coil all lines.
- Secure jib sheets in winch self-tailer jaws.
- Stow all gear in proper locations.
- Thoroughly flush head to pump dry. Wipe seat.
- Clean cabin and wipe floorboards with wet paper towels.
- Remove trash bags from bins if they contain waste. Dispose of all waste in the dumpsters and recycling bins located behind the Modern Sailing office.
- Stove: Turn off LPG switch on panel and close valves on propane tank.
- Batteries: Switch batteries off (if they were off when you entered the boat).
- Put the dodger covers back on.
- Secure all hatches and lock boat.
- Wash the boat with dock hose: hull, topsides, cockpit, and stainless steel (jib furler, pulpits, stanchions, lifelines, turnbuckles, mast base, etc.) to remove corrosive salt crystals. Use the deck brush in the cockpit to remove any crumbs or spills.
- Completely clean anchor and chain, if used.
- Plug in shore power cord, switch shore power source on, and ensure that no part of the shore power cord hangs in the water.
- Ensure fenders are securely tied and resting above the water line between the boat and the dock.
- Check dock lines to ensure that they are snug and properly tied to dock cleats.
VESSEL RETURN: It is very important to return the vessel in the same condition and with all the inventory, just as you received
the boat. Please secure the vessel using the checklist above to make sure that no charges are accrued. Cleaning charges are
$75 per hour plus supplies. (min. charge is $75.)
