Anyone do or have done yacht charter?
Discussion
After many years of holidaying in the Ioanians/Croatia etc I have always liked the idea of having a boat as opposed to a holiday home so you can move it around and not get bored. I'm aware of the very high costs but would like to dip my toe in a bit by doing a charter.
Never done anything like it before but would be great to get any tips/heads up on any pitfalls. 5 of us so would be looking to do something in a Motor Yacht probably Ionian island hopping for a week would be absolute heaven.
Costs seem to vary a lot but let's say you are spending £5000 on the boat what other costs are there? Is insurance generally included or extra? Would love to know if anyone has any direct experience.
Never done anything like it before but would be great to get any tips/heads up on any pitfalls. 5 of us so would be looking to do something in a Motor Yacht probably Ionian island hopping for a week would be absolute heaven.
Costs seem to vary a lot but let's say you are spending £5000 on the boat what other costs are there? Is insurance generally included or extra? Would love to know if anyone has any direct experience.
Do you have Yacht Master or ICC qualifications?
I believe Day Skipper may be acceptable in some places but not sure
I would add if you have little or no experience you should not be in charge of any boat, sail or motor.
Boats do not have brakes often have windage and parking needs a degree of expertise.
I believe Day Skipper may be acceptable in some places but not sure
I would add if you have little or no experience you should not be in charge of any boat, sail or motor.
Boats do not have brakes often have windage and parking needs a degree of expertise.
Edited by Nomme de Plum on Wednesday 30th August 18:51
No total noob. I thought competent crew and Skipper qualifications would be on the cards I was going to do both down in Southampton before Covid but life has taken over. Kids are a bit older now so ideal time I'm sure they would love it. I might even look at sailing that's a lot cheaper and possibly more enjoyable?
There's a lot of sailing schools scattered around the med which allow you to combine a holiday with learning, ultimately giving you a qualification by the end of the week. Thats how I started, this was then followed with a couple of flotilla holidays to provide some assistance if needed before going off and bareboat chartering on our own.
I've done it a few times. Did the greek islands earlier this year with a group of friends and was genuinely one of the best holidays I've done. Did it on a yacht, and all the costs for it were c.£500PP. I did spend a lot of time looking for the right boat though. In comparison to a hotel for the week, I don't think that's too bad!
The expensive part isn't the actual holiday though, it's getting the qualifications, and more importantly the experience, to enable you to do it. Things can go wrong very quickly even for people who have a lot of experience. You also may well be in isolated places where it takes a while for help to come, and a small bump in a harbour will cost a lot. Add in inexperienced crew, and it can be quite a lot for the skipper.
If you have the time and the money though, go for it!
The expensive part isn't the actual holiday though, it's getting the qualifications, and more importantly the experience, to enable you to do it. Things can go wrong very quickly even for people who have a lot of experience. You also may well be in isolated places where it takes a while for help to come, and a small bump in a harbour will cost a lot. Add in inexperienced crew, and it can be quite a lot for the skipper.
If you have the time and the money though, go for it!
fridaypassion said:
No total noob. I thought competent crew and Skipper qualifications would be on the cards I was going to do both down in Southampton before Covid but life has taken over. Kids are a bit older now so ideal time I'm sure they would love it. I might even look at sailing that's a lot cheaper and possibly more enjoyable?
To me it is one of the most fantastic sports/hobbies available and great for families. I'm a sailor so completely biased. I love letting the wind provide the motive power. It's so very special. Be aware it is addictive and not inexpensive if the bug bites. Had dolphins swim alongside my yacht here East Solent. It is amazing.
The Southampton boat show starts mid September. I'd recommend a visit. It's a fun day out and lots of sailing schools/ charter companies along with boats in the marina to have a look at.
Happy to give any advice I can.
Nomme de Plum said:
To me it is one of the most fantastic sports/hobbies available and great for families.
I'm a sailor so completely biased. I love letting the wind provide the motive power. It's so very special. Be aware it is addictive and not inexpensive if the bug bites. Had dolphins swim alongside my yacht here East Solent. It is amazing.
The Southampton boat show starts mid September. I'd recommend a visit. It's a fun day out and lots of sailing schools/ charter companies along with boats in the marina to have a look at.
Happy to give any advice I can.
I watch a lot of sailing channels on YouTube it looks awesome. I'm in Yorkshire and I think there are some schools up here I think I'll have a look at that. Free fuel has to help with the cost! I'm a sailor so completely biased. I love letting the wind provide the motive power. It's so very special. Be aware it is addictive and not inexpensive if the bug bites. Had dolphins swim alongside my yacht here East Solent. It is amazing.
The Southampton boat show starts mid September. I'd recommend a visit. It's a fun day out and lots of sailing schools/ charter companies along with boats in the marina to have a look at.
Happy to give any advice I can.
Thanks everyone else for the replies
fridaypassion said:
Nomme de Plum said:
To me it is one of the most fantastic sports/hobbies available and great for families.
I'm a sailor so completely biased. I love letting the wind provide the motive power. It's so very special. Be aware it is addictive and not inexpensive if the bug bites. Had dolphins swim alongside my yacht here East Solent. It is amazing.
The Southampton boat show starts mid September. I'd recommend a visit. It's a fun day out and lots of sailing schools/ charter companies along with boats in the marina to have a look at.
Happy to give any advice I can.
I watch a lot of sailing channels on YouTube it looks awesome. I'm in Yorkshire and I think there are some schools up here I think I'll have a look at that. Free fuel has to help with the cost! I'm a sailor so completely biased. I love letting the wind provide the motive power. It's so very special. Be aware it is addictive and not inexpensive if the bug bites. Had dolphins swim alongside my yacht here East Solent. It is amazing.
The Southampton boat show starts mid September. I'd recommend a visit. It's a fun day out and lots of sailing schools/ charter companies along with boats in the marina to have a look at.
Happy to give any advice I can.
Thanks everyone else for the replies
hidetheelephants said:
he wind might be free but the flappy white things to catch it with definitely aren't.
The amount of fuel you can get through afloat is not trivial.A decent motorboat you can live on will guzzle anything from £20 an hour upwards. Single figure MPG.
Unless you are talking about walking speed on a canal (which is a fine form of travel).
For cruising sails cost a lot but last ten years or so.
For racing, like motorsport, your hobby is quite capable of absorbing any spare money you have.
We’ve chartered in Croatia. A good island hopping holiday is one you’ll remember for a lifetime. I would recommend sailing - the fuel cost is minimal and the silence is preferable.
If you’re planning a skippered boat you should budget to roughly double the listed cost of the bareboat which will allow for flights, food, excursions and restaurants. You’ll be expected to tip the skipper in addition - the charter co will guide on this.
I can recommend a good charter co if that hasn’t put you off.
If you’re planning a skippered boat you should budget to roughly double the listed cost of the bareboat which will allow for flights, food, excursions and restaurants. You’ll be expected to tip the skipper in addition - the charter co will guide on this.
I can recommend a good charter co if that hasn’t put you off.
Yeah it's ruinously expensive but then we know people that book Sani resort holidays in Greece which is a similar cost plus you aren't in the real Greece!
The last time I costed up actually owning a boat I bought a 458 as it was massively cheaper! Still would like to but could really know with how I deal with big waves! It would be a bit of a booboo to find out you're terribly sea sick having just dropped the cash on the thing! I've done a force 8/9 on the Hull Rotterdam ferry that was interesting!
The sailing thing does interest me I think that might be the first thing to have a look at.
The last time I costed up actually owning a boat I bought a 458 as it was massively cheaper! Still would like to but could really know with how I deal with big waves! It would be a bit of a booboo to find out you're terribly sea sick having just dropped the cash on the thing! I've done a force 8/9 on the Hull Rotterdam ferry that was interesting!
The sailing thing does interest me I think that might be the first thing to have a look at.
fridaypassion said:
After many years of holidaying in the Ioanians/Croatia etc I have always liked the idea of having a boat as opposed to a holiday home so you can move it around and not get bored. I'm aware of the very high costs but would like to dip my toe in a bit by doing a charter.
Never done anything like it before but would be great to get any tips/heads up on any pitfalls. 5 of us so would be looking to do something in a Motor Yacht probably Ionian island hopping for a week would be absolute heaven.
Costs seem to vary a lot but let's say you are spending £5000 on the boat what other costs are there? Is insurance generally included or extra? Would love to know if anyone has any direct experience.
Yes. My Happy place - I try once or twice a year.Never done anything like it before but would be great to get any tips/heads up on any pitfalls. 5 of us so would be looking to do something in a Motor Yacht probably Ionian island hopping for a week would be absolute heaven.
Costs seem to vary a lot but let's say you are spending £5000 on the boat what other costs are there? Is insurance generally included or extra? Would love to know if anyone has any direct experience.
in fact off on the 16th to wash rinse repeat with the wife in Turkey on a 41 DS.
We've gone a deux, with other families, just the men etc etc.
Also Yorkshire based
which sadly means sailing day to day pretty unaccessible 
The Coastal Skipper I have, translates to a ICC, that allows sail, and motor - but motor is only up to 10m.
I doubt you a) want something motor that small, b) would charter any motor for 5k.
Lots of tales and places / adventure on the PH thread : Who is going sailing and where
I think Shnozz has just done some sort of skipper qualification.
Might be worth a chat if you're looking for referrals and he's also part based Southampton.
You do realise it's just a posh caravan that leaks from the bottom instead of the top
Might be worth a chat if you're looking for referrals and he's also part based Southampton.
You do realise it's just a posh caravan that leaks from the bottom instead of the top
Edited by Rick101 on Thursday 31st August 13:57
PushedDover said:
Yes. My Happy place - I try once or twice a year.
in fact off on the 16th to wash rinse repeat with the wife in Turkey on a 41 DS.
We've gone a deux, with other families, just the men etc etc.
Also Yorkshire based which sadly means sailing day to day pretty unaccessible
The Coastal Skipper I have, translates to a ICC, that allows sail, and motor - but motor is only up to 10m.
I doubt you a) want something motor that small, b) would charter any motor for 5k.
Lots of tales and places / adventure on the PH thread : Who is going sailing and where
Cheers I'll have a look at thatin fact off on the 16th to wash rinse repeat with the wife in Turkey on a 41 DS.
We've gone a deux, with other families, just the men etc etc.
Also Yorkshire based
which sadly means sailing day to day pretty unaccessible The Coastal Skipper I have, translates to a ICC, that allows sail, and motor - but motor is only up to 10m.
I doubt you a) want something motor that small, b) would charter any motor for 5k.
Lots of tales and places / adventure on the PH thread : Who is going sailing and where
Rick101 said:
I think Shnozz has just done some sort of skipper qualification.
Might be worth a chat if you're looking for referrals and he's also part based Southampton.
You do realise it's just a posh caravan that leaks from the bottom instead of the top
Ah has he now? I'm under no illusions about the whole thing I've seen some terrifying YouTube content particularly with Motor yachts regarding costs. Then again there are plenty that don't rely spend anything much (sailors obviously!) Might be worth a chat if you're looking for referrals and he's also part based Southampton.
You do realise it's just a posh caravan that leaks from the bottom instead of the top
Edited by Rick101 on Thursday 31st August 13:57
Rick101 said:
I think Shnozz has just done some sort of skipper qualification.
Might be worth a chat if you're looking for referrals and he's also part based Southampton.
You do realise it's just a posh caravan that leaks from the bottom instead of the top
Alfabeat also here in PH runs a company that does varying levels of charter (sail not motor) in the Ionian - and likely at the boat show I would guess.Might be worth a chat if you're looking for referrals and he's also part based Southampton.
You do realise it's just a posh caravan that leaks from the bottom instead of the top
Edited by Rick101 on Thursday 31st August 13:57
Re: posh leaking caravans - that is why it is vital to ensure one only boats in the warm sunny climates with no chance of rain
fridaypassion said:
After many years of holidaying in the Ioanians/Croatia etc I have always liked the idea of having a boat as opposed to a holiday home so you can move it around and not get bored. I'm aware of the very high costs but would like to dip my toe in a bit by doing a charter.
Never done anything like it before but would be great to get any tips/heads up on any pitfalls. 5 of us so would be looking to do something in a Motor Yacht probably Ionian island hopping for a week would be absolute heaven.
Costs seem to vary a lot but let's say you are spending £5000 on the boat what other costs are there? Is insurance generally included or extra? Would love to know if anyone has any direct experience.
If its your first time, get a skippered charter boat. Then you have nothing to worry about and you can see if you actually enjoy doing it (without the hassle of being responsible for the boat/ needing qualifications)Never done anything like it before but would be great to get any tips/heads up on any pitfalls. 5 of us so would be looking to do something in a Motor Yacht probably Ionian island hopping for a week would be absolute heaven.
Costs seem to vary a lot but let's say you are spending £5000 on the boat what other costs are there? Is insurance generally included or extra? Would love to know if anyone has any direct experience.
If you do enjoy it, then crack on with qualifications etc
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