Why charter a yacht with a skipper?

Chartering a skippered yacht on the Solent has many benefits whether it’s a business day out, social occasion with family and friends or a long summer cruise. From corporate events to special birthdays; anniversaries to stag days, a safely handled skippered yacht charter offers a unique and memorable day out for everyone. Sailing out from Bucklers Hard Marina, down the Beaulieu River and then out into the Solent, you’ll enjoy an exciting and rewarding experience bonding as a team or taking time out with the family. If you need to recharge your batteries or learn some new skills in a fun and thrilling environment, skippered Solent yacht charter offers a unique and unforgettable experience with the added safety and guidance of a professional skipper at the helm.

Skippered family yacht charter

Skippered Solent yacht charter is the perfect way to celebrate a special family occasion or an ideal adventure day for parents and children. You’ll get to spend some quality time together and under the guidance of an experienced skipper learn new skills that will challenge everyone in the family helping to build closer bonds between you while creating some lasting memories.

If it’s a family occasion with children you’ll need a family friendly yacht charter. Safety is paramount so try and charter a yacht with safety netting to help prevent anyone accidentally falling overboard. Ensure the yacht you charter complies with the minimum safety provisions and is coded to DTI regulations. This will ensure the yacht will have all the necessary safety equipment on board, is able to safely carry the required number of people and can operate a specified distance offshore. A category 2 yacht is able to sail 60 miles from the shore with a maximum of eight people on board.

How you spend your day sailing is up to you. If you’ve never sailed before then don’t worry, experience isn’t necessary. Your skipper will get every family member to participate in the handling of the yacht including helming (taking control of steering the boat). You can lunch on board or berth at a local town quay and lunch ashore in a pub or restaurant. Sailing is a rewarding family experience and a healthy way to spend time together.

Skippered corporate yacht charter

If you’re looking for an alternative to the usual paintball day-out or round of golf with the sales team, a skippered corporate yacht charter on the Solent is a memorable and rewarding way to motivate your staff or impress your clients. As an organised event, Solent yacht charter can help develop strong team-building skills or strengthen relationships with clients.

Allow an experienced skipper to be your team’s ‘boss’ for the day guiding management and staff together to help sail the yacht for an exhilarating day on the Solent. The whole day can be geared toward sailing or you can combine a morning seminar with an afternoon’s sail. Have lunch on board while at anchor along the Beaulieu river or berth at a local destination and go ashore to eat. Choose a company who is able to provide catering with their corporate Solent yacht charter package and discuss the exact day’s arrangements with them.

Useful things to take with you

The yacht charterer will be able to provide all the equipment you’ll need but you may need to bring a few things with you.

• Wet weather gear – Some charterers will either hire this to you or have sufficient jackets and trousers on board for everyone. Decent waterproof clothing is essential so check when booking if you’ll need to bring these items with you or hire them.
• Non-slip trainers or deck shoes.
• Wellies – Yacht wellies have drawstring tops that tighten up preventing water from getting in. Your charterer may hire these to you but check when booking to see if you’ll need a pair.
• Sun cream – even on a slightly overcast day you should never underestimate the sun especially when at sea where you’re exposed. Bring enough sun cream for everyone in the party.
• Camera – Don’t forger your camera to take some snaps of your sail. You’ll want a visual reminder of your fantastic day out on the Solent but make sure your camera has got a secure wrist-strap as you wouldn’t want to lose it overboard!

Whilst boats can be had all over the UK is isn’t hard to understand why Solent yacht charter remains so popular. Still the Mecca for yachties, this area of the south coast has so much to offer. Cowes may be the epicentre but nearby, other, more tranquil moorings can be found that still offer superb cruising options for the charter skipper. Bucklers Hard on the Beaulieu River is only some 45 minutes upstream from Cowes and here you will enjoy a less frenetic pace but still have the benefit of all the modern marina facilities. Personally, I find that mooring at these upstream locations gives each voyage a natural start and finish, allowing time to get everything shipshape in a relaxed environment rather than being pitched straight into the open sea or before arriving at the marina after a challenging sail.

Cruising options are limited only by time and tide but Newtown Creek, Cowes and Yarmouth are all within a morning’s sail. Whilst the Isle of Wight is a natural choice for a day sail, weekenders may choose to head off to Poole, Weymouth or Portsmouth. The Channels Islands and the north coast of France make an ideal long weekend destination.

One option often overlooked by boat owners is the need to address the increasing number of family groups wanting to charter. Child friendly boats are hard to come by so look for one with adequate safety features, it will make for a more relaxing trip. One such boat that I came across, Ameley, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40.3 ticked all the boxes. Added to a top specification, twin wheel positions add to the helmsman’s comfort and all round netting should ensure that any little people remain on board. Whether bareboat or skippered, yacht charter from one of the many marinas across Hampshire offers plenty of options.

For more information, visit Yacht Charter Solent.