Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of weather is likely on the day of your charter?
Whilst perfect weather can never be guaranteed, the degree to which fine, hot, sunny weather is likely can influence your planning. Whilst in the height of summer good weather might be almost certain, in the spring or the autumn it may be best to assume a pleasant but not overly hot day. (Should the weather deteriorate on the day, your itinerary can always be re-planned on the spot with your skipper of course).

In general if hot weather is fairly certain, you may want to plan for a greater proportion of your time to be spent at anchor in one of the bays around the Isle of Wight, relaxing on board, sipping drinks on the fly-bridge, lounging and sunbathing on the sun-beds aboard the vessel, listening to the lapping of the water or swimming idly from the stern. Conversely if hot weather is unlikely then a greater proportion of your time may be spent ashore, walking around the villages and ports of the area. If inclement weather is likely then the best course might be to spend a greater proportion of your time ashore in a local restaurant or pub, sailing when the weather allows. Decide then, more time lazing aboard or more time moored in a harbour and time ashore?
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Have the members of your party had much experience of sailing and are they seemingly good sailors?
If all aboard are used to sailing and if your guests have indicated they are not troubled by the motion of the vessel, then your day might include more time spent in open waters, and the likelihood of some choppy water should not deter your plans. If, however, several of them are trying sailing for the first time, or are nervous of choppy conditions it may be best to keep to sheltered waters along Southampton Water or the Solent. Planning your itinerary so that all your guests are comfortable with the likely conditions is a key factor in putting a successful day together.
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Will the majority of your guests want to spend a lot of time sailing, as opposed to lazing at anchor or moored in a harbour with time to explore?
Many people enjoy the exhilaration of cruising; being on the move, the breeze in their hair, watching the wake thrown out behind the vessel as she cuts through the water, But others enjoy this pure pleasure for only a short time and prefer to use the yacht as a means of transport to reach a picturesque harbour, or as a home for the day on which to lounge and sunbathe. Planning the right amount of time on the move and balancing it with enough time anchored or moored up can be the key to getting your day just right.
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Will your guests want to spend time in a bustling lively atmosphere or use the day to spend time away from the crowds at anchor in a quiet bay or river?
Wandering through the bustle and buzz of some of the major towns and ports of the Solent area may appeal to your guest’s. Or they may be envisaging a day away from the crowds, spent in the peaceful quiet of a secluded bay or river. Plan this aspect carefully and they will remember the day as fulfilling their own fantasies.
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Finally, to sum up, is this going to be a day of trying to pack in a lot; or a day of indolent ease passed at a slow pace with little or no rushing about?
The commonest mistake our guests make when planning their day is to try to pack in too much, so the timetable seems to control the day. The temptation to visit three different harbours, fit in a quick swim-stop, sail quickly up a river and then and sail around as much of the Solent area as possible can lead to a rushed and overly hectic day. The less you try to fit in, the more your guests will relax and go with the flow, feeling that a leisurely day of luxury has passed at a lazy pace, allowing relaxation to be the key to the day.
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What should we include in our day?
The charter cost will include the yacht, and her crew, with coffee or tea and pastries on arrival at the yacht. What else you want us to provide depends on your wishes.
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Should you plan a simple informal day then the above might be all you require from us.
Sooner or later, however, your guests are going to want lunch. Guests prefer to eat ashore as it provides a focus for a visit to one of your harbour stays. You may prefer to let people buy their own lunch, at either a pub or a good restaurant - your skipper can advise you on the choices available. Or you may prefer to include their lunch on the day; you can either settle the bill yourself or alternatively you can ask us to pre-book a particular restaurant, agree a menu with you and take care of the payment for you, settling the cost with you as part of your charter cost.

Your guest may want to sip a drink or two during the day. You may choose to bring your own alcohol and leave it with the crew who will serve drinks as required. Or you can ask us to provide drinks, to an agreed amount and pre-pay this as part of your charter cost.

Once you have booked your day of luxury, we can tailor the food and drink arrangements to suit your preference.
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