Frequently Asked Questions
When is your sailing season?
Narwhal Yacht Charters 2024 season officially starts on April 2nd and I will continue to sail all the way through November 30th. If annual boat maintenence projects are completed earlier than expected, I will be able to sail late March as well.
I do not sail from December through February because it’s too cold to sail comfortably. I want my customers to enjoy their sails!
What happens if it rains?
I never force my customers to sail in the rain but if you still do want to sail, I have a cabin and a bimini to take cover under so you’ll remain relatively dry. No customer has ever regretted going through with a charter that experienced some rain and most have commented how happy they were that they decided not to cancel.
If you decide not to sail (the chance of rain must be greater than 40% and projected to last more than 30 minutes, using weather.com as our source), we can try to reschedule and if we can’t find a date that works, I will give a full refund. I also don’t force people to sail when the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or if the Air Quality Index is above 200. I will call the sail off if there is a strong threat of lightning or excessive winds (as determined by me).
We must wait until the day of the charter (at least two hours prior to the start of the charter) to make the final decision on weather so we can interpret radar projections. Sometimes the chance of rain might be greater than 40% but radar clearly shows rain passing miles north or miles south from the area we sail, allowing us to charter in dry conditions. The closer to the start of the charter that we can wait, the more accurate the forecast will be.
Where do you depart from and end at?
All charters depart from and end at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan. Starting at Chelsea Piers provides a magnificent skyline view that sweeps from Hudson Yards / Midtown to Lower Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty and beyond.
If you enter "Narwhal Yacht Charters" on Google Maps, you'll see my exact location. For your reference, I am docked at a slip at Pier 59 (Chelsea Piers) on the Hudson River, which is the equivalent of 17th St and the West Side Highway (11th Ave). My boat is located on the south (left) side of the golf nets of the driving range. The entrance to my marina is through a metallic gate with the word "MarineMax" written on it.
What is the difference between a 2, 3, and 4 hour charter?
It’s entirely up to you with regards to how you spend your time aboard the Genesis but below are typical routes:
For a two hour charter, most customers prefer to sail down the Hudson River to see the Statue of Liberty up close. In addition to seeing this glorious landmark up close, sailing to the Statue of Liberty also provides a mesmerizing landscape view of the Manhattan, Jersey City, and Brooklyn skylines, including the Brooklyn Bridge. Another option for a two hour charter is to sail around Battery Park (the southern tip of Manhattan) and up the East River so we can pass underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. In other words, for a two hour charter, you have to choose between sailing close to the Statue of Liberty or underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. Both iconic landmarks are visible from one another.
For a three hour charter, we sail close to the Statue of Liberty AND underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. A three hour charter includes everything mentioned above so you do not have to choose between sailing close to the Statue of Liberty or underneath the Brooklyn Bridge as you will experience both.
For a four hour charter, there are many options. Most people prefer to sail to the Statue of Liberty, around Governors Island via the Buttermilk Channel, underneath the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, and then around Battery Park before reentering the Hudson River. Essentially, it’s the three hour charter plus the circumnavigation of Governors Island (and more time under sail). Another option is to sail to the Statue of Liberty and then explore the East River more by sailing underneath the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges. Repeat customers of mine also enjoy different routes such as sailing as far south towards the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge as the wind and currents allow (we usually get close to this bridge but not under it) or sailing up the Hudson River, slightly past the George Washington Bridge.
All of these different charter options have been well received by thousands of customers over the decade I have been sailing New York Harbor.
What is the difference between a morning, afternoon, sunset, and city lights charter?
A morning charter usually provides calm conditions as there is typically less wind and less boat traffic.
An afternoon charter is usually the warmest and provides the most wind to sail.
A sunset charter typically starts when it is still light out and ends after the sunset, allowing us to view the skyline in different phases from day, to sunset, to night.
A city lights charter begins and ends after the sun has already set and typically provides calm conditions similar to the morning charter.
All of these different charter options have been well received by thousands of customers over the decade I have been sailing New York Harbor.
Who will be on the sailboat?
I only offer private sails so the only people on the boat will be you, your guest(s), and me.
What does the charter come with?
I provide bottled water, sodas, ice, cups, plates, bowls, utensils, and napkins at no extra cost. You are more than welcome to bring food to enhance your experience.
Can I bring alcohol?
Yes, but I don’t provide alcohol. Community Wine and Spirits (https://communitywineandspirits.com/) is 2 blocks away. You can order online and use the discount code Narwhal10 or mention Narwhal Yacht Charters if you shop in person to save 10% off your order.
Will I get seasick?
My sailboat has a full keel which makes her more stable than most boats. However, all boats rock. I suggest that you take a motion sickness pill before boarding the boat if you are afraid of getting seasick as the pill takes time to work.
Do you allow children aboard?
Of course! I’ve been sailing since in my mother’s womb so it would be hypocritical of me to not allow children aboard the Genesis! Children under 12 years of age are required to wear a life jacket, which I provide.
Is there shade on the sailboat?
Yes. I have a canopy (called a bimini) that covers the cockpit. Once I raise the sails, those provide shade as well.
Do you have a refrigerator?
Yes, but it’s not a full sized refrigerator like you would find in a home. It’s large enough to hold drinks and a small amount of food for a charter.
Do you have a stereo?
Yes! The stereo has a Bluetooth receiver, an auxiliary cord, and an iPhone 6 or newer cord that can be used to transmit music to it. I also have a Bluetooth speaker so music can be enjoyed on the deck.
Do you have Wi-Fi?
No but phones do get reception out on the water.
Is there a bathroom aboard?
Yes. Marine toilets are not as robust as the toilets we are accustomed to though. While I will never prevent someone from using my toilet, it is appreciated if you use the bathroom facilities within the Chelsea Piers complex before or after the sail.
Is there parking nearby?
Yes. Some customers get lucky by finding free street parking. Otherwise, the closest parking garage, which is not free, is the Pier 59 parking garage within the Chelsea Piers complex. However, I advise that you park at the Pier 60 parking garage and walk south to my marina because the Pier 59 parking garage is often filled to capacity.
Do you have a rule when it comes to footwear?
"Boat" shoes exist for a reason as they don't scuff the deck. I'm usually barefoot throughout my season and encourage my guests to do the same if they are comfortable doing so. Otherwise, it would be appreciated if white or tan soled shoes are worn. The only footwear rule I enforce is no high heels - not only are they not wise to wear on a moving boat, they actually damage my deck and teak.
Will you let me board if I am inebriated?
Absolutely not. You will forfeit your deposit if you show up inebriated. Safety is paramount.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes - I require a 50% deposit to book a sail.
Do customers tip?
Most customers tip and any gratuity is always greatly apprecaited and never taken for granted.
Are there any hidden fees?
Manhattan marina fees, credit card processing fees, and tax are all covered by me. Most NYC charter companies pass these costs to their customers.
The only additional fee is a 6% booking fee that goes directly to my booking company, FareHarbor. This fee can be eliminated if you call me at (516)-343-3557 to process your payment information.
What is your cancellation policy?
If we cancel due to bad weather, as discussed above, you will receive a full refund. Because forecasts change constantly, we must wait until the day of the charter to make the call on potentially bad weather.
I also allow my customers to cancel their charters at least 10 days before we set sail. In this scenario, the deposit is refunded minus a 10% transaction fee. Rescheduling at least 10 days before we set sail is also allowed and no transaction fee is applied if this is the situation.
However, the deposit is not refundable if you cancel within 10 days of the start of the charter. This is, after all, how I make my living.
What happens if I need to cancel 0-5 days before the charter due to illness (including Covid)?
In this case, refunds are not available but you are allowed to reschedule. Rescheduling is limited to a Monday through Thursday (excluding holidays) morning or afternoon charter and is valid for the same calendar year the charter is booked.
Will sailing with Narwhal Yacht Charters create a lifetime memory?
Yes.