TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR BOATING HOLIDAY

We discuss important topics with marine industry experts who share their opinions and top tips to help you get the most from your boating.

1. Not all charter yachts are the same

Be careful which yacht you charter, and be aware that you often get what you pay for – going for the cheapest yacht available might make sense before the holiday, but after stepping onboard or losing sailing time, you will often wish you had spent a bit more on getting a better boat. Some charter websites will list any old boat, but award-winning charter agents like PlainSailing.com only use charter companies they know and trust. None of us get unlimited time o work, so it is worth getting it right. So, using a trusted or recommended business is always a good place to start.

2. Do some holiday research before you go

Do not just leave it to the lead organiser – have a quick look at where it is you are heading, what is nearby and anything you might find interesting or is worth sailing to. It does not have to be an intensive study – just a few minutes on Google will do, but there is nothing worse than finding out on day four of the holiday, whilst quietly browsing the pilot book on the boat, that you had the opportunity to visit somewhere really amazing or a place you had always wanted to see. Your research could also flag up, for example, great places to eat or special events happening while you are visiting.

3. And then you will have the start of a plan…

There is a certain charm to arriving at the start of the holiday without a plan – just armed with endless possibilities. The only problem with this approach is that most of the time it does not work – if you leave deciding the vague route to the first day, then there is a strong chance that you will be missing out. You will spend hours looking at all the possibilities and you will get nowhere fast.

You do not have to plan every little detail, but a little foresight can go a long way. If there are a couple of places you absolutely have to visit, then get marinas booked there in advance, which will take the stress out of finding a berth for the night, and means you can make the most of the day, spend extra time playing in a quiet bay etc…

For route-planning, you do not have to wait until you are in front of a chart – you can find charts online or, better, use the PlainSailing.com sailing distance calculator and use your mouse instead of compasses to click out a route in seconds. We recommend planning to sail around 20nm a day as a ‘holiday’ pace.

4. …but remember it is important to be flexible

Do not forget that the purpose of the holiday is to relax and have fun! If you do not make your planned route, for whatever reason, it is best to smile, relax and roll with it. Do not slog through a storm just for the sake of it. Your destination will still be there, even if you arrive a day or so later than planned. Anyway, you can always come sailing again next year…