It's always best to find the boat first. You don't have to put any money down as the company will put the boat on hold for you while you find flights. That is the whole point of the "option" period.

Then go find flights to correspond to the dates you want. If you find a better fare a day or two on either side of your dates, then go back to the company and ask if you can change the dates. If the boat is available for the new dates, then Bob's your uncle.

The point is that if you buy your tickets first, you may not be able to find a boat for the corresponding dates. The airlines charge you to change dates, bareboat companies don't!

You could also lose the boat you wanted in the meantime if it isn't on hold for you. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />