Hey Justin-
I would start with some beginner sailing courses offered by a certified ASA instructor in your area (check out asa.com). You will need a lot of time on the water before you should captain a bareboat charter. Also, join your local yacht club or sailing organization to familiarize yourself with sailing. If you're anxious to go before your able to captain you can do a few things- Hire a captain or take a crewed charter (there are many great crewed boats and captains that post on this board). The other is to find someone who is a captain (maybe through your local clubs etc.) or heck on this board.
We usually head down with 3-5 boats with friends, family, and my father's ex-students (he is an ASA instructor) and have a blast. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
good luck on your quest...
Capt Jay