When it comes to packing for a yacht charter, it can be the cause of enormous stress, especially if it’s your first time sailing. But fret not! A few handy hints and tips can go a long way in helping to make the process a little easier for you and your crew!
Take a look at our handy guide on the top 10 things to take on a yacht charter and you’ll be less stressed and fully ready to enjoy your sailing holiday.
1. Soft luggage
While large hard shell suitcases can be better for holidays where you need to fly and your luggage is likely being thrown around the plane’s hold, a yacht charter requires you to think of space instead of security!
Space is limited on a yacht, whether you’re sailing on a monohull or a catamaran, especially if there’s more than two of you going sailing. Soft shell luggage is easier to store on board once you’ve unpacked your clothes and utilised the yacht’s storage and can be squeezed into even the smallest of spaces.
2. Bed linen and towels
When you come down to Hamble for your UK yacht charter, you’ll need to remember to bring your own bed linen, pillows and some towels. Not only is it more sanitary in the new COVID world, it’s also kinder to the environment.
3. EU adaptor plug
While some of the yachts available for charter from Fairview have UK plug sockets as standard, a selection, including our matched fleet of Oceanis 37s, have European plug sockets, which means EU to UK adaptors are a must.
While we provide a couple for you, if you’re sailing with a large group of family or friends who all need to charge their phones/ipads/laptops at the same time, it can be the cause of unnecessary headaches, especially if those arguing over the available adaptors are teenagers who simply cannot go an hour without checking Instagram!
4. Sailing qualifications
If you’re sailing bareboat and one of your party is skippering your yacht, remember to bring the relevant qualifications with you to confirm you have the knowledge and skill to charter. To charter one of our fleet of yachts here at Fairview without a skipper, you’ll need the following qualifications:
- For an Oceanis 37 – minimum requirement – RYA Day Skipper
- For all other yachts over 37ft – minimum requirement – RYA Coastal or RYA Yachtmaster
If you’re not yet qualified to sail but are looking to add an extra string or two to your bow, check out our sister company Sailing Logic, who offer a large selection of RYA courses from Competent Crew to Yachtmaster Coastal from our base here in Port Hamble Marina.
5. Sun cream
Sounds obvious but you’ll be surprised at the amount of people who think because they’re out at sea that they won’t burn as it’s cooler! Trust us, this couldn’t be further from the truth! The fact is, you’re more likely to burn while on a yacht charter due to the wind and the reflection from the water. Plus the fact you’ll be so busy enjoying yourself that suncream is the least of your worries!
We love the sun creams produced by Ultrasun which are used by a number of sailing and sport professionals due to their water and sweat resistant formula. Take a look at their range of suncream, here.
6. Bluetooth speaker and a banging playlist
There’s literally nothing better than sailing along the Solent, relaxing on deck with a nice G&T and listening to your favourite playlist. For that reason, we always suggest to customers that they bring a bluetooth speaker with them so that they can listen to as much music as they like!
If you need a little bit of inspiration, check out this fantastic playlist created by our team of seasoned sailors.
7. Credit card
Surprisingly, a lot of people forget to bring their credit card with them when they come to Hamble for a yacht charter with us. But having it on you can be super handy, especially if you’d rather not have your security deposit held from your current account!
Not only that, but making purchases on your credit card often gives you additional protection in the event you need to cancel or return any items or tickets so it’s often a beneficial addition to your wallet while you’re on your charter.
8. A good book (or two)
Aside from all the fun you’ll be having while on your yacht charter with us, a sailing holiday in the UK or anywhere in the world is the perfect way to kick back, relax and restore your battery. So we often advise our customers to take a few good books with them when they travel.
There’s something incredibly tranquil about laying on the bow of your yacht while she glides majestically through the water, reading a book and listening to the waves as they kiss the hull. Just throw an ice cold beer or prosecco into the mix and we’re pretty sure you could consider yourself in paradise!
9. Waterproof camera
While it’s super handy to have an all in one phone/camera these days, it does mean that there’s always the possibility of losing your handheld device over the side should you meet an unruly wave while taking some Insta shots! To avoid the trauma that accompanies the untimely demise of a phone, pack a few waterproof cameras as well.
We know, waterproof cameras are so last year (or five!) but we promise you’ll be thankful. Not only does it keep your phone out of harm’s way, but it also means you can take plenty of shots while you’re in the water too, perfect if you’ll be hiring one of our paddleboards or dinghies to join you on your charter.
10. A hat
Last but not least, be sure to pack yourself a decent hat. Doesn’t matter which style, but it needs to keep your head covered for the duration of the day, so something that you find comfortable to wear for long periods of time would be beneficial (so no wooly beanie hats for a summer charter!)
We love the range of hats and caps from our partners Helly Hansen which are perfect for sailors who are looking for stylish but technical attire. Take a look at the full Helly Hansen range, here.
Find out more
For more information about what to expect on a yacht charter, take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions.
If you’d like to charter one of our yachts or to find out more about them, contact us today on 02380 457023 or email info@35.178.158.241 where one of our team will be happy to help you.
