Frequently Asked Questions
About sailing and staying on a boat
Generally comfortable clothes ie jeans with layers (shirts/jumpers) that you can take off or add – the temperature changes quickly on the water. Sun cream, hats and gloves (perhaps cycle gloves) are useful. Essential are soft soled non marking shoes ie trainers – just check by putting them against your fridge to see if they mark! Wet weather gear is provided on most boats and if the skipper puts theirs on you know it would be good idea to wear some too!
Yes, as the RNLI says, ‘a life jacket is useless unless worn’. However all yacht charter companies provide life jackets and they are easy and comfortable to wear.
You can eat on board or in local pubs and restaurants. Eating out is at your own expense. I give guidance about what food you need and what can be provided. On weekend charters it is most cost effective if you bring your own food at least for breakfast and lunch but we can discuss what works best. With bareboat charters food is not provided.
Most of the sailing is around the Solent, usually starting from Hamble which gives easy access to The Solent or Lymington – see Yacht Havens. In Sailing courses – we will visit as many of the Solent destinations as possible.
Generally start with a bacon roll or full breakfast whilst waiting for everyone to arrive. We walk to the boats, have a short safety briefing and set out for a days sailing on the Solent. If starting from Lymington, we may sail west towards Hurst Castle – maybe to the Needles and then back to Yarmouth (a quaint fishing village on the Isle of Wight) for lunch. Alternatively we sail east to Cowes for lunch. Cowes is an international sailing Centre but still retains a quaint charm. If we start from Hamble, we will sail around the Central Solent going to Cowes for lunch or anchoring in a bay. There are numerous options for lunch in both Cowes and Yarmouth to suit the type of event and/or budget.
Arrival is usually Friday evening 1800 – settle on the boat and go out for a meal. Spend most of Saturday sailing – often to Cowes – a lively centre for ‘yachties’. Enjoy a few drinks and a meal before returning to sleep on the boat. A leisurely (depending on weather and tides) sail back to the home port on Sunday arriving back mid afternoon – latest 1600.
Most people do not feel sea sick sailing on the Solent as it is protected – if you do it is nothing to be ashamed of – just let the skipper know and they will do all they can to make you comfortable – but they don’t have a magic wand! We can share ways to minimise the risk of feeling sick.
You sometimes need to share a cabin. You need sleeping bags and pillows. Don’t forget towels and wash kit. A torch and any phone charging kit is useful. Duvets and pillows can be hired for a charge
There are usually hairdryers in the marinas. Also most boats have normal electricity when plugged into shore power in a marina. At anchor or on a mooring you do not have electricity
All marinas have showers and toilets – most very good. Most have hairdryers. See Yacht Havens for examples.
There is a good service from Waterloo to Southampton Parkway (for Hamble) and Brockenhurst (or Lymington). From both it is best to get a taxi for the 10/20 minute drive. See link to rail enquiries. National Rail.
We all know the weather issues in England. We watch the forecasts continually! There is something about the Solent – it seems to have its own micro climate – yes there are bad days but there seems to be far more good than bad. It is also generally lighter winds in the morning and the sea breeze kicks in for the afternoon which works well for corporate days – gentle introduction to sailing and then some excitement. Check out the numerous weather forecasts including Bramblemet, Lymington weather and tides and Met Office.
It depends on what level of racing you plan to do. For many of the organised Solent regattas you need a race boat to match the others racing. For your own regatta and informal racing then matched cruising boats work very well and cost less.
There are many books and the RYA has some excellent publications. There are numerous sailing forums on the web and many sailing magazines.
Yes – the main difference to ‘normal’ toilets is that you have to manually pump for the flush and be sparing with paper. In a marina it is best to use the marina facilities. Most marinas have good facilities – showers, toilets and restaurants.