A Short History of Chartering in Bay of Islands, NZ
Once home to over 40 bareboat charter yachts, the Bay of Islands stood proudly among the world’s sailing destinations. In those days, Kiwis and visitors alike could explore this subtropical paradise aboard locally managed fleets. There was a thriving industry supported by private boat owners and charter operators alike.
The Rise and Fall of New Zealand’s Bareboat Charter Scene
Over time, policy changes around private boat ownership and commercial use removed key incentives for owners to place their boats in charter. Add to that a sharp increase in compliance costs and stricter Maritime NZ survey requirements, and the bareboat fleet in New Zealand became a shadow of its former self. When Moorings and Sunsail exited New Zealand in 2012, Fairwind Yacht Charters briefly picked up the slack, until fleet age and mounting costs forced their closure a decade later.
A Few Boats Remain
Today, Great Escape in Opua still operates a fleet of smaller yachts and provides a wonderful "learn to sail" experience. Their largest bareboat, the Raven 31, offers a no-frills adventure, what some would call ‘camping on water.’ Yet despite fewer creature comforts, the joy their clients experience reminds us that great sailing is about connection: to nature, to your crew, and to the sea.
We at Sail Connections salute the work of small operators like Great Escape, who keep the spirit of local sailing alive.
What It Takes to Keep a Boat in Survey
Getting a yacht into Maritime NZ charter survey remains an expensive undertaking. Many of the boats still operating commercially were approved before the current rules came into force. Building a vessel to meet the rigorous NZ standard takes foresight, engineering, and commitment. That is something Sail Connections’ founder Robert Cross experienced and had to demonstrate with the custom-built Denim.
With structural reinforcements and extra safety features integrated into her design from the outset, Denim became a rare example of a modern sailing holiday charter-compliant vessel in New Zealand waters.
Hoping for Change, and Building Towards It
Robert has spent years advocating for regulatory reform to enable industry revival, including the possibility of renewed trans-Pacific operations between New Zealand and Tonga. Previously, boats were shared seasonally between the two countries. That was a sensible, practical and sustainable model that faltered under shifting compliance standards on both sides.
Now with Denim as a precedent and local politicians more attuned to the challenges of small-scale charter operators while championing business growth, there’s renewed hope that cross-border sharing can once again become viable.
Glimmers of Progress
In 2018, Maritime NZ introduced concessions allowing CE certified production boats to enter survey, albeit with major modifications. Silver Wave Charters for example, imported a Bali 4.6 catamaran and now offers crewed multi-day charters outside the summer peak, transitioning to the lucrative day-charter market over Christmas and New Year.
And then there's our own Elliot 1150 monohull Denim in the bareboat market. While the number of charter boats remains small, these ventures hint at a possible resurgence in New Zealand’s sailing tourism; one that balances safety with accessibility and invites more people to experience this remarkable corner of the world by sea.
List image courtesy of Great Escape, Bay of Islands
