Terms and Conditions
Cancellation Policy
All Charter Payments are non-refundable. Charters can be rescheduled up to one calendar year if the below criteria are met:
Within 15 Days of Charter booked:
Customers can reschedule their charter for up to one calendar year.
Less Than 15 Days Prior to booking:
No rebooking and no refund.
Lateness
Please arrive 15 minutes early. If you are a no show there will be no refund and no possibility to re-book your charter even if you call ahead to say you are running late. If you are running late captain will wait for your group, however please bear in mind end time of charter will still be the same.
Terms and Conditions
Length of time for each charter is flexible in nature due to tides, winds and other weather conditions. Every effort will be made to adhere to the schedule however, SailawayNY cannot be held responsible for charters that end earlier or later than scheduled. We require radio clearance to enter and exit all marinas. During our busy season we might encounter delays exiting and entering the marinas, this is beyond our control as we do not own the marinas. Yacht will dock back 5-10 minutes prior to the end your charter end time, to disembark guests and belongings.
If you have booked a private charter with more then six guests, and if some members of your group are unable to attend, even if advance notice given, that ticket price is not refunded. If you have made a deposit by credit card, and do not show up, the balance due will be automatically billed to your credit card.
Safety Regulations
Bedrooms on all our Yachts are strictly OFF LIMITS to our guests as per US Coast Guard regulations, as guests cannot be in an enclosed room down below other than a bathroom.
Weather Policy
Every possible effort will be made to go sailing on your scheduled date and time. For safety reasons SailawayNY reserves the right to cancel any charter due to adverse weather conditions. Adverse conditions include but are not limited to: excessive winds (to be determined only by the Captain of the vessel), extreme lightning storms and other extreme weather warnings issued by The National Weather Service. If we decide to cancel the charter, you may reschedule any time within a year from the original booking. If a charter is to be cancelled it is at the sole discretion of the Captain of your Yacht, he/she will notify you on the day of your charter. Guests cannot cancel or reschedule a charter if they are unhappy about the weather conditions on their scheduled charter date and time, no refund will be issued if guests do not show up for scheduled charter regardless of weather conditions. If cancelled by captain, one year credit will be issued.
Sailing Conditions
Wind and currents fluctuate daily, we cannot guarantee a sailing experience. Engines must remain on throughout your charter, as per US Coast Guard regulations. If winds exceed 17 knots, we are restricted from sailing. 7 Knots of wind or less is insufficient wind to sail.
About Sailing On Our Boats
Our sailboats are heavy ocean going vessels built for the rigors of long ocean passages. Due to their weight they will not move well under sail in light winds. Many of the smaller sailboats seen on the river are very light vessels with no interiors designed for racing on protected waters. As such you may see many of these J-Boats from the sailing clubs along the river under sail when it is not practical for our yachts to move, or move well under sail.
We carry passengers for hire on our boats. This means that we fall under strict United States Coast Guard regulations for passenger vessels as to the conditions under which we are allowed to operate our boats under sail.
Our captains are responsible for operating our vessels in compliance with all USCG regulations and orders of the Captain of the Port. Captains have final say on how they operate a vessel on any voyage. Operating under sail or motor at any given time is at the sole discretion of the captain.
Rest assured our captains are avid sailors and wish to operate under sail as much as possible, but they must keep in mind all the conditions and regulations that pertain to a particular voyage and operate the vessel both safely and in compliance of all government regulations.
SailawayNY cannot be responsible for last minute mechanical failures. Our Vessel is maintained to very high standards but it is a mechanical object and mechanics can fail at the last minute.
Cancelled charters due to adverse weather conditions or mechanical failure will receive an email voucher valid for one calendar year. No refunds will be issued.
Please note: Sailing will occur during the following conditions: Rain, Thunderstorms, windy days, cloudy skies, cold or hot temperatures and humid conditions. You may purchase Rain insurance for our sailing Yachts if you wish.
Safety Requirements
Passengers under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and are required to wear a life jacket.
Dress Code and Equipment
Captain will ask you to remove your shoes prior to boarding. You may bring a clean separate pair of white-soled or beige-soled boat shoes only that you may wear on our yacht. No shoes are allowed down inside the vessel. This is to prevent scuffing of the deck, or scratches from rocks, gum, and other debris on the bottom of your soles. In the cold weather months we will give you warm booties.
Bring a light rain jacket with a hood, and sweater. Hat and gloves if chartering in early Spring, or Winter.
Safety and Comfort
Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket outside of cockpit which we will provide.
The cockpit is covered with a sun shade so you will be able to stay out of the sun if you wish.
In case of rain and cold weather cockpit will be covered. Blankets and hats will be provided dependent on weather.
Alcohol Service
We are a Licensed Liquor Vendor and you must be 21 years of age to drink, we do check IDs.
Drinking is not allowed while the vessel is docked. Alcohol can only be served while out on the water. All drinks are collected at the end of your charter before we dock.
Group Size and Billing
If you have booked a charter for 7–35 guests, if less people show up, or are unable to attend for any reason, even with advance notice, we do not issue refunds for those guests that are not able to make the charter.
The cost to repair any damage to our yachts, i.e cushion staining, woodwork scratched, will be billed to your credit card on file.
Conduct and Safety
Smoking is not allowed as it is a fire hazard.
If your group is over 25 people and you are bringing your own food and liquor a $500.00 security deposit will be authorized for any vessel damage.
No rowdy, loud, lewd, or insubordinate groups will be tolerated. Your group must remain quiet on the dock, no drinking or bottles are allowed on the dock. Failure to follow these rules will forfeit your deposit and end your charter early with no refund. We follow all NYS Covid protocols and you must comply with those regulations while onboard.
Bedrooms are off limits for our guests as per US Coast Guard regulations for your safety.
Automatic Gratuity
- Groups of 10 guests on Purse Princess 50 foot yacht will be billed an automatic 18% gratuity on the total amount of the charter.
- Groups of 20 guests or more on Trident 60 foot yacht will be billed an automatic 18% gratuity on the total amount of the charter.
- If no gratuity is left an automatic 15% will be billed to your credit card.
Arrival Instructions
Please text your captain when you arrive at the dock.
Zero Tolerance Policy
SailawayNY has a zero tolerance for illegal drug usage or possession. The Captain of the vessel is required to immediately notify the Coast Guard if drugs or paraphernalia are discovered on board. Possession of a Medical Marijuana card does not allow its possession or use on board, nor does it mitigate the Captain’s responsibility to alert the Coast Guard. Any damage to our yachts will be billed on your credit card. Smoking or open flame is not allowed on any of our yachts as per US Coast Guard regulations. Captain has complete authority on your chartered yacht; if he/she is not obeyed, he/she has the right to cancel your charter early with no refund issued.
Privacy Policy and Personal Information
During registration on this website, we may collect personal contact and/or transaction related information for SailawayNY use only. We may also collect certain website usage data. We will not sell, share, or otherwise distribute this information to any third party without your consent and knowledge.
Important Charter Information
WE WILL EMAIL YOU 3 DAYS BEFORE YOUR CHARTER EXACT DEPARTURE LOCATION DETAILS AND YOUR CAPTAIN’S NAME AND CELL PHONE NUMBER.
IMPORTANT RULES AND REGULATIONS:
- If you are running late, the Captain will wait for you as long as you call and let him/her know. Please be aware end time will be the same as the scheduled booking end time.
- Guest who booked charter must bring and show picture ID and credit card used for booking.
- All charters dock 5-10 minutes prior to charter end time to offload passengers and belongings.
Gratuity Guidelines
15–22% Gratuity of entire total is customary in the charter business. Please understand our crews depend on tips. Tip should only be given to Captain of the vessel after the charter, preferably in cash. It will be split with the staff on a percentage basis. All our vessels have a bathroom.
BYOB Guidelines
If you are a BYOB group and have not hired our server you are responsible to bring whatever you are drinking, and cups. We do not provide mixers, soda, ice or water. You are responsible for cleaning up after yourselves and dishes before vessel docks back at port. NO RIGID COOLERS PLEASE.
If you have requested and hired our server/s we will provide all plates, utensils, and glasses. We will provide ice if requested in advance. Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks are also included.
Dress Code and Equipment
Captain will ask you to remove your shoes prior to boarding. You may bring a clean separate pair of white-soled or beige-soled boat shoes only that you may wear on our yacht. No shoes are allowed down inside the vessel. This is to prevent scuffing of the deck, or scratches from rocks, gum, and other debris on the bottom of your soles. In the cold weather months we will give you warm booties.
Bring a light rain jacket with a hood, and sweater. Hat and gloves if chartering in early Spring, or Winter.
Safety and Comfort
Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket outside of cockpit which we will provide.
The cockpit is covered with a sun shade so you will be able to stay out of the sun if you wish.
In case of rain and cold weather cockpit will be covered. Blankets and hats will be provided dependent on weather.
Alcohol Service
We are a Licensed Liquor Vendor and you must be 21 years of age to drink, we do check IDs.
Drinking is not allowed while the vessel is docked. Alcohol can only be served while out on the water. All drinks are collected at the end of your charter before we dock.
Group Size and Billing
If you have booked a charter for 7–35 guests, if less people show up, or are unable to attend for any reason, even with advance notice, we do not issue refunds for those guests that are not able to make the charter.
The cost to repair any damage to our yachts, i.e cushion staining, woodwork scratched, will be billed to your credit card on file.
Conduct and Safety
Smoking is not allowed as it is a fire hazard.
If your group is over 25 people and you are bringing your own food and liquor a $500.00 security deposit will be authorized for any vessel damage.
No rowdy, loud, lewd, or insubordinate groups will be tolerated. Your group must remain quiet on the dock, no drinking or bottles are allowed on the dock. Failure to follow these rules will forfeit your deposit and end your charter early with no refund. We follow all NYS Covid protocols and you must comply with those regulations while onboard.
Bedrooms are off limits for our guests as per US Coast Guard regulations for your safety.
Automatic Gratuity
- Groups of 10 guests on Purse Princess 50 foot yacht will be billed an automatic 18% gratuity on the total amount of the charter.
- Groups of 20 guests or more on Trident 60 foot yacht will be billed an automatic 18% gratuity on the total amount of the charter.
- If no gratuity is left an automatic 15% will be billed to your credit card.
Arrival Instructions
Please text your captain when you arrive at the dock.