Skippered Yacht Charter

Book a days sailing in the Solent

Get out on the water with your friends or family. If you can’t take advantage of our discounted “Pop Up” Sailing Days then we can easily tailor a day to suit your needs, provide lunch onboard or head over to Cowes if you wish to eat ashore.

No experience required, just choose a date and pre book your day out as far in advance as you wish.

Whether a family day out, marking a special occasion or just want a day sailing with a group of friends then call us to discuss your options.

We will have brand new Dufour 390 based on the River Hamble and an excellent team of skippers to look after you on the water. We are ideally located to head out into one of the most famous sailing areas in the world. Sail over to Cowes or anchor in Osborne Bay, there are endless places to visit.

Prices from

• Weekend Day – £1560
• Midweek Day – £1150

Max 6 persons

Book Your Sailing Day

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Chartering for the First Time? Read About us in All at Sea!

We’re in the April 2021 issue of All at Sea!

Chris Warwick, principal at Universal Yachting, on making your first charter – home or abroad – a success.

Thinking of a holiday this year – one to get you away from the crowds? Hiring a yacht, known as a charter, could be just the answer. If it is not something you have done before, as with any holiday, getting the balance right and keeping your whole group happy is important.

Talk it through

Whether you are a group of friends or a family, work out in advance what everyone wants from the experience. An element of compromise will always be essential and, if it is a family holiday, consider which items are negotiable with the younger members – democracy can have a cost! 

This choice will, in part, depend on your level of experience and what you wish to do.

• Skippered charter: Similar to hiring a ski guide, skippered charters can be your golden ticket to some of the best and off-the-beaten-track areas. Options range from booking a cabin onboard and mixing in with others, similar to a room in a ski chalet, to booking a luxury yacht with a skipper/crew, relieving you of all sailing and even catering responsibilities. Get involved or just sit back and relax.
• Flotilla sailing: Sailing as part of a group with other yachts all heading to the same destinations, supervised by a lead boat, has appeal for experienced sailors as much as people wanting to try something new. Flotilla holidays have moved on from ‘follow-the-leader’ type of sailing and organised’ socials, allowing much greater freedom to do your own thing. The opportunity to mix with other families and make new friends can be important with, say, teenage children. The technical support and area familiarisation provided by the lead boat can be very handy in peak season, especially when trying to find berths and restaurants. Originally something that started in the Mediterranean, there are now some UK flotilla breaks.
• ‘Bareboat’ charters: Similar to hiring a campervan, you are provided with a fully equipped boat to use as your own and sail where you please, normally within a pre-defined sailing area and proof of sailing ability. Alternatively, you can create your own ‘mini-flotilla’ with a group of friends with a couple of bareboat charters. There is nothing better than the freedom of sailing on your own’ yacht during the day and then meeting up with friends in the evening. 

Sailing Area

Whilst chartering is popular in the Mediterranean or Caribbean, do not forget the UK offers great sailing options, especially in these current times. You can take a quick weekend break or spend a week exploring the coastline, enjoying everything it has to offer, all on your doorstep.

Every sailing area will suit different groups, so decide whether you prefer:

• Complete independence;
• Avoiding the hustle and bustle of harbours and towns;
• Eating on board in a remote bay vs lively harbourside restaurants;
• Short or long day sailing;
• Days off sailing to explore some of the local sights.

Weather considerations

Whilst no one can predict the weather, especially these days, every charter company will highlight which are low and high wind destinations. No wind can be as frustrating as too much, so always work around the person with the least sailing experience.

An experienced yacht will shrug off no wind and still have a good day, yet someone new to sailing could get put off by high winds. Be prepared to adapt, after all you would not expect a new skier to do a black run!

The right yacht

Budget will play its part, as will experience and the number of people in your group, with your choice of boat. Most yachts will normally sleep eight people, although some newer yachts above 45ft may boast additional cabins with a capacity for 10-12 people. Be wary of cramming more in to get the price per person down. Do not let the reality spoil your holiday and consider:

• who sleeps where? 
• will your 6ft teenager fit into the single bunk bed?
• who gets the master cabin if you are splitting costs equally?

Whilst you plan to spend most time outside, space can be important, especially off-season or where there are no weather guarantees. As a general rule, if a boat sleeps eight then six onboard will be comfortable.

Although older yachts are often cheaper, it does not have to mean that they are tired and worn out. However, build age into your expectations, especially if chartering privately online. Do not rely on ‘brochure shots’, and if booking with a larger charter company by phone, remember they may never have seen the actual yacht.

For most people, sailing is the easy part. However, anchoring a large yacht in an open bay is different to trying to manoeuvre in a crowded marina or harbour. Whilst it is tempting to go for the biggest yacht you can find, be realistic about your abilities. Why put yourself under unnecessary pressure?

The right company

You may prefer smaller, family-run companies with a more personal service, or a wider choice offered by larger companies. Either way, be clear about booking conditions and cancellation terms, especially in current times.

Travel, flights and transfers

Overseas travel can eat time out of your hard-earned holiday, as well as adding hassle or cost if flights are not part of the package. A holiday you can reach by car may be preferable.

Time of year

Sailing out of season has great appeal, often being quieter and lower cost. There is a risk the weather may be less reliable, so assess whether you are prepared to tolerate some cloud, rain or even storms.

Prior experience?

Getting some refresher training before your trip may make a big difference to your break, especially if you are a little rusty or taking inexperienced sailors with you.

If you are completely new to chartering, book a day with a skipper locally to see if everyone is going to enjoy your holiday idea before you commit to the booking.

Always check with your charter company what sailing qualifications and certificates are required before you go. Most countries in Europe, for example, require you to have the International Certificate of Competence as a minimum.

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Boat Ropes, Sailboat Terms, Rigging and Sailing Terminology

If you have just had your first outing on a sailing yacht and are bemused by some of the names that all the different ropes are called? Well here is a quick explanation as to why rope is not just called rope! Rope is generally the term used for the raw material used to make the ‘lines’ that we use on board a sailing yacht. For rope terminology wherever a rope has a purpose or use, it is called a ‘line’ and every single line that has a job to do will have it’s own name!

Running Rigging
This refers to all the moveable lines that are used to pull up and adjust the sails. The rope that runs up the mast to pull up the mainsail is called the halyard and to bring the sail down the line is called the downhaul.

Standing Rigging

The Standing rigging refers to all the lines that support the stationary objects on a sailing yacht, such as the mast. These are generally steel cables and are called either ‘shrouds’ or ‘stays’.

Mooring up

The lines that are used when you are tying up to a jetty or pontoon are often called ‘docklines’ or ‘warps’ There only a couple of examples of lines that are actually called ropes on a yacht; a ‘bolt rope’ a line which can be attached to the edge of a sail or even a ‘bell rope’ used to ring a ships bell! So there you have it, clear as old rope?




See Boat Ropes, Sailboat Terms, Rigging and Sailing Terminology for further details .  

 
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Your bluewater cruise of a lifetime – making it a reality!

Many people only dream of taking off on their yacht and sailing away over the horizon for their bluewater cruise of a lifetime! When Julian and Lynne Ronnie decided they wanted to do just that, they felt they would benefit from enhancing their sailing skills first. So they contacted Universal Yachting on the best way to prepare for their trip. We helped Julian and Lynne choose the right RYA training courses and set up some bespoke training working on specific sailing skills. 

Julian takes up their story. “Our bucket list included crossing the Atlantic, and we signed up for the ARC which gave us eighteen months to learn all we needed to learn. We did a number of RYA courses with Universal Yachting, including Day Skipper for Lyn, and Coastal Skipper for me. The great thing was that we were able to do it on our own boat with just the two of us on board plus the instructor. This meant that nothing we learnt was simply theoretical or suitable for a different boat or with more crew. 

verything we were taught applied directly to us. And of course with such direct one to one supervision we were able to cover much more than is strictly in the RYA syllabus. Clive, our instructor, was able to show us MOB procedures for double handed sailors (of course you are single handed if one of you is over the side.) Fortunately we haven't needed that one! But also we covered picking up mooring balls, and berthing short handed, and even putting up the cruising chute. When you are learning to sail, nothing of course beats sheer experience and hours at sea, but doing these courses certainly speeded up the process.” 

The Ronnie’s set off from the Solent in the summer of 2014, took part in the World Cruising Club ARC Rally. They have been cruising the Caribbean and around the shores of the United States ever since. Make a bluewater cruise your reality! Find out about the right RYA training course for you. Read more about the Ronnie’s amazing voyage on www.theboatblog.com

Read More: http://www.universalyachting.com/your-bluewater-cruise-of-a-lifetime-making-it-a-reality/

Universal Yachting to show Dufour 350 GL at the Poole Harbour Boat Show

Universal Yachting, agents for Dufour Yachts in the South, will have the Dufour 350 Grand Large on show at thePoole Harbour Boat Show taking place on the Town Quay, 20-24 May.

Visitors to the show will be able see the Dufour 350 GL which offers an amazing amount for a yacht under 34 feet. Adopting many of the features and Dufour ‘DNA’ that appear in the larger Dufour Grand Large range, the 350 balances effective use of space with effortless sailing and enhanced performance.

Below decks the quality woodwork, bold, elegant lines and clean finish create a comfortable yet highly functional living space. Large deck windows allow for plenty of light to create a roomy and airy environment. The three cabin model amply allows space for six people. Smart interior design features, such as the introduction of double doors to front cabin, help create the sense of open space.

A modular approach to furnishing, including the navigation table which drops down and becomes an extension to the bench seat, also helps to maximise use of living space when at anchor.

A generous galley has a 120 litre fridge, two sinks, an oven with two gas burners and a wine ‘cave’ accessed through a floor hatch.

On deck, the Dufour 350 is all about performance and ease of sailing. Her modern hull shape, with chines for greater stability, is combined with a self-tacking jib and high aspect sails for extra performance. Additional steering seats for both wheels can be tucked away to create more cockpit space after sailing. Recognising that their owners spend over 70% time above decks, Dufour have moved the mainsheet bridle from the cockpit table to coach roof, creating open space in the cockpit, and enabling a Bimini to be fitted easily.

The genoa and mainsheet are now easily controlled on winches located near to the helmsman, making short handed-sailing very straight forwards. An overlapping 108% genoa can be fitted for extra performance and the Dolphin bowsprit is designed to carry a Code Zero off wind sail. The Code Zero, which does not have to be dropped, allows close reaching and can be easily furled from the cockpit to gybe or stow it, making manouevures safer and simpler for the crew.

Chris Warwick, MD of Universal Yachting commented “Having seen the success of last year’s event, we are delighted to participating in the Poole Harbour Boat Showfor the first time. It is our first year as Dufour’s south cost dealer and the Show will give us an excellent platform to promote te 350 and the rest of Dufour’s high class performance cruising yachts.”

Read more: http://www.universalyachting.com/universal-yachting-show-dufour-350-gl-poole-harbour-boat-show/

10 Fascinating Facts about the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015

If you love yachting as much as we here at Universal Yacht Charter do, then we are sure you will be as excited as we are at the start of the Volvo Ocean Race on October 11th.

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Read Our 10 Fascinating Facts About The Volvo Ocean Race Here….

• The Volvo Ocean Race was formerly known as the Whitbread Round the World Race and is held every 3 years.
• The first race of this globe-circling regatta was in 1973 and started in Portsmouth, United Kingdom on the 8th September.
• The original course was designed to follow the route of the original square riggers that in the 19th Century, carried cargo around the world.
• In 2001 the sponsorship was claimed by Volvo and renamed, this also introduced more stopover ports in Sweden, France and Germany.
• There is no cash prize for winning the race! Just the glory and accomplishment achieved.
• The Southern Ocean is generally where the worst weather conditions are encountered with 100 foot waves and wind speeds of up to 60 knots!
• The 2014-15 race is the longest route in the history of the race – covering four oceans, five continents and 38,739 nautical miles!
• It’s the longest sporting event in the world – lasting up to 9 months
• The race takes in 11 ports, starting in Alicante, Spain and finishing in Gothenburg, Sweden
• For the first time since 2001, one of the seven teams is the all-female Team SCA.

See more: www.universalyachting.com

Navigate your way through the multitude of training opportunities!

The old adage that ‘you never stop learning’ could not be more applicable than to sailing. Whilst anyone can just get in a boat, it’s wise to get some training and experience before setting off over the horizon.

Recognised around the world, RYA (Royal Yachting Association) training courses and qualifications are designed to encourage high standards of seamanship and navigation.
Courses are delivered through over 2500 RYA recognised Training Centres across 49 countries. The RYA Tick Mark logo indicates Centres will have fully qualified instructors, suitable yachts conforming to MCA regulations, and appropriate safety management processes in place.

“Obtaining an RYA qualification means you have achieved a clearly recognised standard providing the practical skills and essential knowledge for your safety and enjoyment afloat,” comments RYA Training Manager, Richard Falk.  “The courses are designed to provide everything you need to learn safely and build confidence, giving a great foundation to go and build your experience on your own.”

Choosing a training centre

Having a clear idea of your sailing aspirations will influence where to learn. Whether your goals are day sailing with friends and family, charter sailing on the Mediterranean or blue water cruising around the World, picking the right venue and training is important.

Most commercial Training Centres offer a variety of courses throughout the year, and have a selection of boats for building experience. Many sailing clubs are approved Training Centres, although whilst courses may be lower cost, not all clubs have the range of relevant courses, dates and facilities available.

If your plans are only sailing in non-tidal waters such as the Med, courses at a holiday venue can be an easy start. Navigation and manoeuvring are definitely less complicated without the affects of tide. Learning in busy tidal, complicated waters, such as the Solent, dealing with a complete range of conditions and commercial traffic, will assist you to become a more competent, experienced and well rounded sailor. If you learn to sail in non-tidal waters there are conversation courses should you subsequently wish to gain tidal experience.

Which course for you?

The RYA Start Yachting and Competent Crew courses are both water based courses aimed at novices and do not require any previous experience.

Start Yachting:
Normally a two day course, you will achieve a basic knowledge of yachting, experienced steering a yacht, sail handling, rope work, rules of the road and be aware of safety and emergency procedures onboard. It’s a great way to establish if yacht sailing is for you, without investing too much time and money.

Competent Crew:
Typically 5 days this course is an introduction to cruising and teaches personal safety, seamanship and helmsmanship. It’s ideal for people seeking to step up from dinghy sailing, or who have tried yacht crewing and want to learn more.

The course includes yachting terminology, rigging and sails, ropework, fire precautions and fighting, man overboard, emergency equipment, meteorology, seasickness, general duties and manners. After the course you will be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout and be a useful crew. It can be completed in 3 days if you have already done Start Sailing.

Move up the ladder
Once armed with the basic skills you will want to get afloat. Joining a club, taking part in cruising rallies, sailing with friends, there’s many ways to build your experience.

If you plan to own or charter a yacht, or sail with friends and family less experienced than you, the RYA offers further training stages – the RYA Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore. Each course progresses you to a higher level, enabling you to sail further afield and throughout the night.

Chris Warwick, MD of Universal Yachting based in Hamble comments “The courses are carefully pitched for different levels of expertise. You can enter the RYA scheme at any level, depending on your experience and abilities. The courses reinforce good practice, can fill in the gaps in your experience and knowledge, and are a quick way to refresh rusty skills – which can help boost confidence too!”

It is counter productive to attempt a course above your standard, as the courses assume, and suggest, a minimum level of pre-course experience.
Day Skipper:
An intensive 5 day course, and the minimum requirement to charter a yacht. It includes boat handling, sail selection, all aspects of being a skipper, pilotage, navigation, seamanship, weather forecasting, victualing and passage planning. Requirements:
5 Days sea time / 100 miles / 4 night hours
Navigation to Day Skipper – shorebased standard
Basic sailing ability

Many countries require sailors to have an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), which is the equivalent to the RYA Day Skipper.


Coastal Skipper:
This covers the skills and techniques required to skipper a cruising yacht safely on coastal and offshore passages by day and night. The requirements assume attendees will be competent sailors with a good knowledge navigation theory and meteorology:
15 Days sea time with 2 days as skipper / 300 miles / 8 night hours
Navigation to Day Skipper – shorebased standard
Competent / Day skipper sailing ability

Top of the class
Requiring considerably more pre-course experience, the next stages are the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore and Ocean Certificates of Competence. These will thoroughly demonstrate your sailing abilities and can lead on to commercial endorsement and career opportunities. Whilst Training Centres will run Yachtmaster preparation courses, the qualifications are gained only by examination conducted by an independent RYA Yachtmaster examiner.

Alternative learning opportunities 
In addition to the formal RYA qualifications, we offer courses such as cross channel or long distance mile building cruises to build your experience,

For example, we offer a variety of bespoke courses where you can develop specific elements of your sailing expertise. A day spent on a sail handling can really help understand how to get the best performance from your boat upwind and downwind. And an own boat familiarisation or Boat handling courses are particularly helpful to focus on manoeuvring in tight spaces and parking.