We limit every private charter aboard our classic yacht, Mojave, to six guests, and the booking covers the whole boat, not individual seats. That means your group, however you define it, has the deck to yourselves. Before you reserve, confirm the small print: a signed waiver and our cancellation policy both shape how your six-person charter actually unfolds.
TL;DR:
- The six-guest limit for Mojave is based on Coast Guard guidelines for uninspected vessels, ensuring a private and manageable experience.
- Bookings are for the entire boat, with a fixed rate regardless of group size, and require confirmation of guest count, liability waiver, and ID before departure.
- The captain holds the necessary credentials, and the vessel may be rerouted or postponed for safety reasons, with rescheduling or refunds available.
- The vessel’s small size allows close interaction, making it ideal for celebrations, wildlife sightings, or relaxed sunset cruises for groups of six.
Table of Contents
- What the six-passenger limit covers under our booking policy
- Booking rules: what to confirm before you reserve a six-person charter
- How six guests fit comfortably aboard Mojave
- Day-of checklist and practical tips for your charter
- A captain’s view on six guests and a calmer sail
- Book your own six-guest charter aboard Mojave
- FAQ
- Sources
What the six-passenger limit covers under our booking policy
The number six is not arbitrary. It is our own policy for Mojave, set so that every charter stays private, personal, and easy for one captain to run well. When you book with us, you are not splitting a boat with strangers or buying a seat among a dozen other seats. You are reserving the entire vessel for your group, up to six guests, for the length of the trip you choose.
That policy sits inside a broader regulatory picture worth understanding. The U.S. Coast Guard auxiliary’s passenger-for-hire guidance explains that uninspected passenger vessels, often called UPVs, may carry up to six passengers for hire when the vessel is under 100 gross tons and operated by a properly credentialed captain. Vessels built or certified to carry more than six passengers fall into a different, inspected category with its own set of requirements. That distinction is part of why “six” shows up so often for small sailing charters along the coast: it marks the line between an uninspected vessel running a personal, hands-on trip and a larger commercial operation with different oversight.
We mention this only to give you context for why a six-guest cap is standard for a boat like Mojave, not because it changes anything about how you book with us. Our captain holds the credentials that line of work requires, and our policy reflects both that license and our own preference for keeping every sail intimate. This guide sticks to that meaning throughout: a private charter capacity, not a legal limit on buses, vans, or any other kind of transport.
Booking rules: what to confirm before you reserve a six-person charter
Before your card is charged, it helps to walk through the terms so nothing feels like a surprise on the dock. We charge per charter, not per person, so your group of six pays the same posted rate as a party of two.
- Confirm your total guest count up front; six is the cap, and the boat is yours alone for the trip.
- Expect a deposit at booking, with the balance due on a schedule we will walk you through when you reserve.
- A signed liability waiver and a valid ID are required before boarding.
- Cancellations and no-shows are subject to our stated policy, so ask about the cutoff windows and any fees.
- Changes to your guest list should be flagged as early as possible so we can plan seating and amenities accordingly.
We also ask that guests leave pets at home and skip high heels or black-soled shoes, which can mark the deck. Age and mobility needs are worth mentioning when you book, since we can often adjust seating or timing to make the sail comfortable for everyone aboard. Our captain retains the final call on route and timing, and may adjust or, in rare cases, postpone a sail for weather or safety. When that happens, we work with you directly on rescheduling or a refund rather than leaving you to sort it out alone.
Pro Tip: Call ahead if your celebration involves a surprise element, like a proposal, so we can quietly adjust the route or timing to protect the moment.
How six guests fit comfortably aboard Mojave
A party of six is, in our experience, the sweet spot for a sailing charter. It is large enough for a real celebration and small enough that everyone can actually talk to each other, lean on the rail together, and watch Point Loma slide by without feeling crowded.
- Sunset cruises and wildlife watching both suit six guests well, with open deck space for everyone to move toward whichever side of the boat has the best view.
- Small celebrations, like engagements or bachelorette sails, give six friends room to gather around the cockpit for a toast.
- A Sail & Swim trip, with paddleboards and onboard grilling, works smoothly at six guests because there is enough deck room for gear without anyone tripping over a cooler.
Life jackets are sized and ready for every guest aboard, and our captain holds the OUPV license that this class of charter requires, which matters in practice as much as on paper: it means the person steering has trained specifically for small passenger vessels like ours.
Day-of checklist and practical tips for your charter
Plan to arrive at the dock about fifteen minutes before departure so boarding stays relaxed rather than rushed. Pack layers, since the bay cools quickly once the sun starts to drop behind Point Loma, along with sunscreen and shoes with non-marking soles.
We offer complimentary champagne with each private charter, and outside catering can often be arranged if you inform us before your trip. If wildlife is part of your plan, keep voices low near dolphins or sea lions so they stay close rather than scatter.
- Confirm your arrival time and the meeting point with our team.
- Sign your waiver in advance if we have sent it ahead of time.
- Bring a valid photo ID for the group’s point of contact.
- Wear non-marking, closed-toe or flat shoes for the deck.
- Pack seasickness medication if anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness.
- Save a direct contact phone number in case your plans shift last minute.
Pro Tip: Snap a screenshot of this checklist the night before, so you are not hunting for details on the dock.
A captain’s view on six guests and a calmer sail
Six is the number that lets me actually get to know the people I am sailing with. I can slow down near a pod of dolphins without worrying about managing a crowd, and I can read the wind and adjust our course for a bachelorette party the same way I would for a quiet anniversary sail. Every charter gets a route built around what you came for, whether that is a slow sunset or a lively afternoon with music and champagne.
Running Mojave for one private group at a time means safety and atmosphere never compete with each other, which aligns with insights on the role of yachts in corporate hospitality. I keep my eyes on the water and on you, and that balance is the whole reason six feels right.
— Captain Liz
Book your own six-guest charter aboard Mojave
A private charter for up to six guests means your sunset, your playlist, and your pace, with no strangers sharing the rail. We offer a 2-Hour Sunset Cruise and 3-Hour Sunset Voyage for golden-hour sails, a Bay Wildlife Cruise for dolphin and sea lion sightings, and celebration options built for bachelorette parties and family trips alike.
Every trip includes a USCG-certified captain, complimentary champagne, and a fully private sail aboard Mojave, with room to add a proposal, a Sail & Swim setup, or other special touches when you let us know ahead of time.
- Sunset and wildlife cruises for relaxed small groups.
- Celebration charters for bachelorette parties, engagements, and family milestones.
- Sail & Swim trips with paddleboards and onboard grilling for active groups.
Visit our sailing adventures page to check availability and reserve your date.
FAQ
How many guests can book a private charter with Sterling Sails?
Our private charters aboard Mojave are limited to six guests per booking, and the reservation covers the entire boat rather than individual seats. That keeps every sail private and personal, whether you are celebrating a birthday or watching for dolphins off Point Loma.
Why do small charter boats often cap guests at six?
Small uninspected vessels under 100 gross tons are commonly limited to six passengers for hire under Coast Guard guidance, which separates that category from larger inspected passenger vessels. Our own six-guest policy for Mojave reflects that same class of small, privately run charter.
What should I confirm before booking a six-person charter?
Confirm your total guest count, the deposit and payment schedule, and our cancellation and no-show terms before your date is locked in. You will also sign a liability waiver and should plan to bring a valid ID and non-marking shoes for the deck.
Can I bring outside food or drinks on board?
Complimentary champagne is included with every private charter, and outside catering can often be arranged if you let us know ahead of your sail date. Pets are not permitted aboard, and high heels or black-soled shoes are discouraged to protect the deck.
What happens if weather affects my charter?
Our captain makes the final call on route and timing for safety, and may adjust or postpone a sail when conditions call for it. When that happens, we work directly with you on rescheduling or a refund rather than leaving the decision unresolved.
