Seeking rental advice

[Angele]

If you want more than 12 people on a yacht and you want to "sail" (i.e. more than just a Thames pleasure cruiser) then you are really into superyacht charter territory - the kind of thing that might be used for corporate entertainment.

Can't do better than ICAP Leopard 3, which comes complete with its own crew (i.e. more than just skipper) plus hostess(es). You can have 20 guests and it is fully catered, but be prepared to open your wallet. I have chartered her predecessor and that was over £6k plus VAT some 6 years ago. It must be nearer to £10k (inc VAT) now.

Based in Ocean Village, Southampton for some of the year.

Well, you did ask!

 

[Mudisox]

Our family owned Grandfather only needs winding up once every 7 days. Seems that you lot need it more often.

 

[dt4134]

Is there an in between? I would quite like to go sailing, and I don't really expect 30 people. What would the maximum number for a sailing trip be?

On a typical mid-thirty-footer boat somewhere between four and eight people is the norm for a charter, depending on whether you sleep on board and how cosy the sleeping arrangements are going to be.

You don't need a super yacht though, you can just charter a few boats. I've seen it done by stag/hen parties where they get two or three boats with skippers, sail to somewhere like Cowes or Yarmouth, have a few drinks, and sail back the next day.

Most of the bigger charter companies should be able to accommodate you.

Worth also dividing up the cost amongst those taking part because if you pay for it all yourself it could get pretty expensive.

 

[Newsomite]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. It sounds as though the kind of thing I'd like to do is simply out of my budget, but a richer friend of mine is planning something similar, so I'll direct him to this thread and hopefully your suggestions won't have been wasted!

N

 

[nmeyrick]

I was going to suggest if you want something more affordable than ICAP Leopard but which still actually sails and would take 12 people might be worth looking at a thames barge. These are traditional working boats designed to be handled by a small crew, so would be good for a group of novices who want to have a trip on a boat without worrying about pulling ropes - although you would probably get a chance to steer.

Greta is sailed and owned by her skipper Steve, he is a good sort and I think charges in the region of £30-£40 per person for an afternoon trip, although may be worth seeing what he could do you for the whole boat.

http://www.greta1892.co.uk/index1.html

She is based out of Whitstable in Kent so very do-able from London but not too local for oxford. I think someone also has a similar ship in the solent.

Failing that it also may be worth talking to the Ocean Youth Trust, they have a number of groups with boats around the UK and are set up as charities. They mainly provide trips for young people often with difficult histories, but also do fund raising and profile raising trips when the boats are free. You may be able to get an afternoon on them for rather less than the commercial options mentioned above.

 

[toad_oftoadhall]

I think someone also has a similar ship in the solent.

Alice:
http://www.4charter.co.uk/

 

[jimi]

join the cornish maritime trust and participate in their program?



www.cornishmaritimetrust.org

 

[JeremyH]

How about one of the "Day sails" or one night "tasters" on a choice of 60m square rigged brig, 22m Challenger sloops or catamaran?

http://www.tallships.org/attachments/46/Schedules Summer 2011.pdf