Baltic Charter - Stockholm Archipelago

Mark-1

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Can someone recommend a bareboat Charter Firm, (or individual yacht for hire) somewhere around the Stockholm Archipelago. We're not that choosy - we'd consider any sailing boat 28-40 feet. Google isn't helping much.
 
Karlskrona Yachts have some sweet looking folkboats and have made a ?31' derivative which is also in their fleet. Seem like nice guys too (based on my tyre kicking correspondence), and naturally, speak impeccable English.
 
I remember looking into it and did find a couple in the Stockholm area. Can't remember details. I did a web search at the time, but if that doesn't work maybe try the Swedish Cruising Club.

Glad to see there're boats for charter around Karlskrona. I tried looking a good few years ago when I worked there for a while and found none at the time. Karlskrona is a good distance away from the Stockholm Archipelago though.

Also bear in mind that they have a shorter, more intense sailing season in Sweden, with seemingly the entire country shutting up shop for a month, so best to book as early as you can.
 
Many thanks for all replies.

It looks like we'll fly into Skvasta but could maybe fly into Vasteras.

Can someone recommend somewhere to start the cruise from that will be as easily accessable as possible from the airport? What's the cost of getting to the boat from airport likely to be? I'm guessing no trains and expensive taxis, is that right?

For anyone in the future with a similar question to my OP here are some leads:

http://www.kf-yachts.se
http://solong.watweb.de
http://rtc.se
http://boatcharterstockholm.mmksystems.com/index.jsp
 
Trains and buses in Sweden are good and cheap if I remember rightly. You'll have no problems getting anywhere by public transport. Go to the tourist information desk at the airport and they will move heaven and earth to help you.

And about the archipelago. Everyone hits at least one rock there. Just make sure you don't hit it hard.;)
 
It looks like we'll fly into Skvasta but could maybe fly into Vasteras.

Can someone recommend somewhere to start the cruise from that will be as easily accessable as possible from the airport? What's the cost of getting to the boat from airport likely to be?

I've never flown into Skvasta, but I believe there's a train service.

Vasteros is dead easy. It appears a long way away from Stockholm, because it is, but when I've flown there the plane has been met by a coach that ran straight into the central station in Stockholm. I remember it being pretty cheap and it took about an hour.

There are (or were) also cheap flights into Arlanda. I think the airline was called Fly Nordic if they still exist.
 
Good advice from Woodlouse, but you don't have to hit the rocks even though Swedish boat designers do seem to assume you'll hit a few over the lifetime of a boat.

I've not hit a Baltic rock yet (give me time). You normally take the chart into the cockpit and then just do pilotage based on that. Swedish charts come in waterproof folders to allow you to keep them in the cockpit.

If the chart shows a nice blank area free of rocks, it usually means it is unsurveyed.

You need to mentally tick off each rock, islet or mark as you pass it. If you lose positional awareness it is difficult to get it back quickly. Don't assume, as one islet looks very much like another, but with caution & GPS you should be able to work out where you are and start up again from there.

Often handy to nominate a crew member whose sole job is pilotage. Make sure they hand over properly when somebody else takes over.

The marks are often small and very thin. You may well see them lying at 45degs or more if there's a bit of wind blowing. Most are cardinals. Not all have topmarks so you need to check the yellow & black bands, which is sometimes difficult depending upon how the light is shining on them.

The local pilot books show where the water is deep enough in the natural harbours for you to get up close to a rock to tie up to it. Most of the time you'll be able to tell from the other boats already there.

If you get a chance, night sailing is fun with all the sectored lights.

Oh, and I've heard that they've already issued a new menu to the midgies to let them know that Englishman is on the menu. Hopefully you've got a boat with a complete cockpit cover.
 
Trains and buses in Sweden are good and cheap if I remember rightly. You'll have no problems getting anywhere by public transport. Go to the tourist information desk at the airport and they will move heaven and earth to help you.

And about the archipelago. Everyone hits at least one rock there. Just make sure you don't hit it hard.;)


Sweden could show us a thing or two regarding public transport. There is an airport link to the main central station from where express trains and suburban trains run the length of Sweden . Every few miles on the express route will be a bus terminus with some going to harbours and ferry points. The whole lot is synchronised so commuting from a distant island is a joy.

You can get a travel pass at the main station that covers all.

The sailing waters look brilliant...Just check out on Google maps. It can be fun tracking the ferries to Helsinki on AIS as they weave through the islands.

There are many nice destinations though I only got top them by bus and train. Maybe a boat next time.:D
 
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