The Longstanding Issue of Charter Fees (and a Call for Moral Suasion)

The old question periodically re-emerges: are charter fees often too high, and can they somehow be kept in check?

Normally, for a major international event, a candidate (SCIRA country with a club) is required to submit a bid. A specific section of this bid must indicate the amount of the charter boat fees (usually divided between recently built boats and older ones). The Board (or the National Secretaries, depending on the case) awards a major event taking into account what is written and promised in the bid (conditions, services offered, logistics, weather conditions, and charter fees). Naturally, the so-called “rotation grid” is also considered as an award criterion, to ensure a certain geographical rotation among countries and avoid regattas always being held in the same venues.

When SCIRA accepts the proposal made in a bid, a genuine contract is established between SCIRA and the local Organizing Authority, which must be respected by both parties. Unfortunately, we do not know the content of the bid because, very often, it is not published.

Given this premise, it is clear that participation in an international regatta, especially in remote locations where arriving by car towing a boat is impossible, essentially depends on travel costs (flight tickets, accommodation) and the amount of the charter fees.

The problem is crucial, especially for events like the Junior Worlds and women’s events, where earning capacity or owning a boat are particularly limited. It is also evident that these events are important for Class promotion. Therefore, SCIRA has a twofold role: a) before awarding a regatta, carefully evaluate the conditions promised in the bid, and b) monitor compliance with and execution of what was promised in the bid. If this is not done, the regatta could turn out to be a flop.

Let’s now turn to a specific case: the 2025 Women’s Worlds (Enoshima, Japan, July 22-27).

One-week charter fees:

• $2,400 for boats under 3 years old
• $2,000 for boats under 6 years old
• $1,600 for boats under 9 years
• $1,200 for boat over 10 years old

We must assume and hope that the charter fees match what was promised in the bid.

But, looking at them in detail, the question is: are they affordable for an average female team?
It is clear that the amount of charter fees is determined by the market (demand for boats, supply of available boats, transport costs to the regatta site) and that it is utopian (with a communist flavor) to think that costs can be imposed by decree or capped.

However, the crux of the matter is different. Is it possible that a national association, the fleets, and the owners fail to understand that this is a fundamental event for Class promotion?

Is it possible for the SCIRA leadership to exercise a sort of moral suasion towards those who prioritize profit over promotion? After all, promotion should be in the interest of everyone who races in the Class and owns a boat, to ensure that now and in the future, the sport has broader participation and is more fun for everyone (including them).

At the most recent Junior Worlds, held in the quintessential capitalist country, many boats were chartered for $0, and the young sailors were hosted for $0 in volunteer homes. Perhaps this is a splendid and exceptional example of “patronage” that is hard to replicate to this extent.

However, at least an effort should be made …

Japan is a great country, with many good sailors, kind and generous. I am sure they can understand.