Cancellation, Rescheduling, Payment, and Refund Policies

Waiver of Liability – The Waiver of Liability Form, a copy of which is found here for downloading and filling out, must be submitted prior to or at the date of the charter or lesson. Failure to provide the Waiver of Liability will result in cancellation of the topic.

(A) Cancellations by MainSail Charters & Research, LLC or Company Representative

1. All payment will be due and made a minimum of 72 hours (3 days) prior to departure of a charter or beginning of a lesson unless otherwise agreed to by MainSail Charters & Research, LLC or company representative.

2. We, (MainSail Charters & Research, LLC or company representative), will cancel charters or lessons in the event of violent / severe weather or issuance of small craft warnings by the National Weather Service, (inclement weather), or mechanical issues or illness. We attempt to make this decision the day prior to that of the lesson(s) or charter. Some circumstances require same day cancellation. Whatever the situation the charter or lesson will be rescheduled at a mutually agreed upon date and time.

3. If cancellation circumstances exist (A.1) and it is mutually agreed that no rescheduling can occur, a full refund less 10 percent of either the deposit or full payment will be given by MainSail Charters & Research, LLC or company representative.

4. If cancellation circumstances exist (A.1) A full refund will be given less 15 percent of either the deposit or full payment if the lesson(s) or charter is not rescheduled by the Charter or Student; i.e. no returning of the student/charter person at a different time (the “I do not want to do this”) excuse.

5. NO SHOW. Failure of the student or charter to appear on the scheduled day of the event without notice to MainSail Charters & Research, LLC or its Representative will result in NO refund of any deposit or payment made up to that time. Should MainSail Charters & Research, LLC or its Representative be subsequently contacted within 48 hours after the original scheduled date / charter time, by the Student or Charter and provided circumstances of the No SHOW SITUATION, ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE ACCORDINGLY.

(B) Rescheduling from our end:

5. We may reschedule in the event of inclement weather (too much bad weather or even no wind) or mechanical issues.  Sailboats can go through hurricanes, but it isn’t fun.

• Complete reschedule – we may have to move the entire charter or course to another weekend
• Partial reschedule – we may be have to move just 1 day of a 2 day course to another weekend day
• Note: the instructor may halt a course in the middle of a day if the weather worsens drastically.  The instructor reserves the right to cancel the course at any time when winds exceed 20 knots. Makeup of time lost will occur.
• Note: Charter persons or Students are advised to watch the weather forecasts and, if inclement weather is approaching or there is any question, to call an hour and a half before scheduled class or charter time if they have not been notified by MainSail Charters & Research, LLC or a company representative.

(C) Payments and Refunds:

1. Either payment in full or a deposit of 50% of the fee is due at the time of signing up for a Sailing course / Chesapeake Bay Charter if sign up is directly with MainSail Charters & Research, LLC or a company representative.

2. If a deposit on the cost of the lesson or Charter has been made, the remainder is required within 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the course / charter. There is no refund of the deposit if the depositor does NOT notify MainSail Charters & Research, LLC of any cancellation by the depositor. We understand change requirements. Just notify us and arrangements for date changes can be made.

Check, cash, or PayPal will be accepted.

3. Sighing up for a Chesapeake Bay Charter or a Sailing Instruction course through Third Party sign up is subject to that Party’s guidelines/procedures.

4. MainSail Charters & Research, LLC will gladly work with the student or charter to re-schedule at his or her convenience.  We want you to learn to sail!   We want you to take and enjoy your charter experience with us!!

5. If you are unable to attend a scheduled course or charter, a full refund of the fees received will be given provided you notify us at least 7 days prior to your reservation.  Less than 7 days notice is subject to those provisions given above, paragraph (A.4). Thereafter, if you cancel without rescheduling, there will be no refund of the 50% deposit.  If you have paid in full in advance, 25% of the total cost will be retained byMainSail Charters & Research, LLC..

• If we start a course but mid-way must terminate because of weather or mechanical, illness or whatever, and you the student or charter elect not to reschedule the remainder of the course or charter, a 25% of the total cost will be retained by MainSail Charters & Research, LLC i.e. $25.00 of every $100.00.