Yacht Charter Agreement

This Agreement is between the Charterer named above (the party renting the vessel as a “bareboat”) and the Yacht Owner through its Manager, Superior Charters, Inc., a private management and sailing training company, hereinafter referred to as “Superior Charters”. The Charterer and the Yacht Owner through its Manager, Superior Charters, hereby enter into this Agreement subject to terms and conditions herein and in connection with use of the Yacht (the "Yacht") as detailed in the Invoice.

1. Superior Charters shall deliver the yacht to Charterer, clean, seaworthy and all essential systems in good running order. Superior Charters reserves the right to substitute a comparable yacht should the specified yacht not be available due to reasons beyond Superior Charters’ control. Superior Charters guarantees that if a breakdown of essential equipment occurs during the charter, we will complete a repair within four working hours of notification, or you will be provided compensatory sailing time for any time exceeding four hours. To be covered under this guarantee the yacht must be within a twenty-mile radius of Pike’s Bay or Port Superior marinas. Superior Charters is the authorized agent for the owner of the yacht. Essential equipment is considered engine, transmission, standing rigging, battery and alternator.

2. Charterer may board the yacht at 6:00 P.M. on the evening prior to the first day of the charter. Charterer shall inspect the yacht upon delivery and locate each item listed on the yacht’s inventory sheet. Charterer shall sign the inventory sheet stating that all items are on board, unless initialed and stated by Superior Charters as not being on board. Charterer’s signature on inventory sheet shall constitute acceptance of the yacht and a full performance by Superior Charters and the yacht’s owner.

3. Charterer agrees to be fully responsible for all furnished equipment aboard the yacht. Charterer agrees to pay Superior Charters the amount necessary to replace damaged or lost equipment in accordance with polices described in the Reservation Terms & Conditions. Charterer agrees these charges may be placed on their credit card on file.

4. Charterer accepts full and complete responsibility for the safety and care of the yacht, crew and passengers; the use, misuse, loss or damage of the yacht is the sole responsibility of the Charterer until the yacht has been returned to Superior Charters; the Charterer assumes responsibility for his/her actions during the term of this rental or charter. Responsibility for the care of the yacht also includes, but is not limited to, leaving the yacht in a tidy condition and properly securing the boat in its slip. Excessive dirt and/or debris left on board will not be tolerated. In the event a charterer has left a yacht with excessive dirt/debris on board, an additional fee of $200 will be levied and charged to the credit card on file.

5. Charterer must return the yacht to its berth, have all gear removed, trash removed and be available for inspection no later than 3:00 p.m. on the final date of charter. If the yacht is not returned and available before this time, Charterer agrees to pay for each hour that the return is delayed on a prorate basis of the applicable prime daily rate plus any loss sustained by Superior Charters as a result of not being able to meet other charter requirements. The Charterer is responsible for allowing sufficient time to allow for unforeseen contingencies to permit for timely return.

6. The chartered yacht is insured by the yacht’s owner and is subject to a deductible. The charterer’s liability for loss of or damage to the vessel or its equipment will be limited to the insurance deductible amount should Charterer not waive the Daily Damage Fee, except for loss or damages to the yacht or any yacht involved in an accident with the yacht and its equipment that results from the negligence or willful misuse by Charterer, Charterer’s family, guests and agents, for which Charterer may be solely liable for the entire loss. Determination of negligence or willful misuse is made at the sole discretion of the Chartermaster. Additionally, the Daily Damage Fee will not cover any damage resulting from non-compliance with policies described in Notes from the Chartermaster, which the charterer must read and understand thoroughly prior to departing the marina.

7. If Superior Charters must cancel part of or the entire charter and not deliver the vessel due to severe weather before the commencement date, the client can take a credit for future dates, or a refund of monies paid for the time missed. This does NOT apply to sailing days missed or days spent in port or moored once the charter has commenced due to severe or inclement weather.

8. Superior Charters reserves the right to recall the vessel upon the forecast or occurrence of severe weather. Superior Charters may extend the charter trip subject to vessel availability. If charterer elects to prematurely end the charter, the charter is deemed cancelled and the cancellation policy will be followed.

9. Charterer certifies that he/she is competent to operate a yacht of similar size and make, having sufficient knowledge of seamanship, piloting and Rules of the Road unless a qualified captain has been hired from Superior Charters for the term of the charter. Charterer shall not delegate his/her duties to any person not similarly qualified and must be approved by Superior Charters.

10. The Charterer agrees that the yacht shall be employed exclusively as a pleasure vessel for the sole and proper use of the Charterer, Charterer’s family and guests, and shall not transport merchandise or carry passengers for pay, or race, or engage in any trade nor in any way violate the laws of the United States or of any government within the jurisdiction of which the yacht may be at any time and shall comply with the law in all other respects. The Charterer agrees not to sub-charter the yacht without written consent of the owner and Superior Charters. Charterer agrees to operate yacht in conformance with the following rules. Charterer shall:

a. Operate the yacht in daylight hours within a thirty-five (35) mile radius of Port Superior, Wisconsin, unless other arrangements have been made in writing with Superior Charters.

b. Charterer agrees not to operate the yacht in an organized racing event unless advance written approval has been obtained from the yacht owner and Superior Charters and a written waiver of liability has been signed by Charterer.

c. Charterer shall always keep the yacht and its contents free of any illegal drugs or other controlled substances.

d. Charterer agrees not to sail the yacht single-handed and to always ensure that Charterer and at least one competent crew member are aboard.

e. Charterer shall not allow any other person to operate the yacht while maneuvering within a marina or docking the yacht.

f. Charterer understands there is a fee to sail and anchor in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and if charterer intends to use the park, agrees to pay the park service fee prior to departing.

11. At the time of booking through our office, a deposit of 33% of the trip fees and 100% of the Daily Damage Fee (DDF) fee is due at booking. The remaining balance and Wisconsin state sales tax are due prior to the first day of charter. If charter is booked online, the entire charter fee is due at booking. The DDF may be waived only with the DDF Release Form. Should Charterer opt to waive the DDF, a refundable security deposit is due 45 days prior to the first day of charter in cash or check. This policy is described in the Reservation Policies document.

12. Charterer understands that the responsible Skipper may be required to complete a check out with a USCG licensed Captain. There is an additional charge for checkouts and if the Charter Master deems a check out necessary, the cost will be added to the invoice after online booking is complete. 

13. Clubhouse access is granted at Pike’s Bay Marina by use of a key fob. Key fob management is the responsibility of the charterer, and key fobs should be returned to the Superior Charters office upon trip completion. Cost to replace lost key fobs is $50 per key, and the charterer’s credit card on file will be charged for replacement fobs.

14. Charterer agrees to abide by the terms outlined in the Reservation Policies document regarding changes to or cancellations of the charter. Charterer authorizes Superior Charters to charge the credit card on file for cancellations in accordance with the Reservation Policies document.

15. Should either party to this Agreement violate any provisions of this Agreement or in any proceedings to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other all legal fees and costs that may be incurred, including any fees and costs associated with court ordered mediation and arbitration, or appellate proceedings.

16. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of Wisconsin with the exception of any admiralty or maritime claims which shall be construed under the maritime, admiralty laws of the United States. The venue for any proceedings hereunder shall lie in Bayfield County, Wisconsin.

17. Charterer shall indemnify and hold Superior Charters, its insurers, affiliates and employees harmless for any death, loss or injury arising from Charterer’s and the crew’s use of the yacht, its equipment or dinghy, or activities including but not limited to swimming and hiking.

18. Superior Charters does not control charterer’s exposure to outdoor elements, including, but not limited to weather, animals, bug infestations and is not liable for charterer’s reaction to such.

19. The Liability Indemnification Agreement must be signed and returned prior to boarding the vessel; Charterer is responsible for ensuring all members of the party have signed the agreement.

Charterer also states that he/she has read and understands the provisions of this agreement and has read referenced ‘Notes from the Chartermaster’ and ‘Reservation Policies’ and understands that this instrument remains an offer until approved by Superior Charters.

Today's date: April 25, 2024