spindly_killer_fish
Active member
googling around I didn't see any charter companies in those locations, although it would be nice so i can pop into SWUK Marine and look at their Dufours
UK chartering company recommendations?
- Thread starter spindly_killer_fish
- Start date
Egret
Member
For something different, and quite civlised, what about hiring a crewed Thames Barge on the East Coast- Crew do the hard work and catering, but you can get involved in the sailing if you want to. Cabins fitted out quite nicely. A few options either joining a standard trip or hiring a whole barge with a few friends. Various start locations, some near railway. Reasonable prices.
spindly_killer_fish
Active member
Interesting, but this is all about hiring something similar to what we want to buy and seeing whether as a family we enjoy the sailing/cruising experience before going all in. this time we will do 2/3 nights, next a week and then hopefully charter on our own a couple of times before buying something ourselves.
Seastoke
Well-known member
Boom sailing in Conwy , are good owner operator you could circum navigate Anglesey. That proper scenery with dolphins and the welch.
choppy
Member
Vested interest but do try Poole Yacht Charter : flexible & as much friendly input / instruction as wanted along the way (YMI)
Whatever you choose have fun & good luck.
Whatever you choose have fun & good luck.
spindly_killer_fish
Active member
i have no issues with vested interests, Poole is just not the most idyllic of places and with only 2-3 nights i think destinations are limited
the only update so far is that the wife doesnt feel like doing comp crew lol she just wants to relax and enjoy the scenery with maybe a little helm time
Barton Seagoon
Member
For a weekend trip with family, you need to think about how long your family will enjoy sailing without a break. Any trip across the channel will involve either busy traffic at Dover or 12 hours crossing to Cherbourg. Most families would not enjoy much more than 4 hours, so I would advise somewhere that has several ports within 30 miles, to give you a choice that allows for different wind directions.
spindly_killer_fish
Active member
I completely agree, the scenery is also key to sell the idea for another future longer trip
Sticky Fingers
Well-known member
100% agree with this.
@spindly_killer_fish I think you need to be willing to compromise in order to open up the two must-haves of 1. Available skippered charter boats of the size and type that interest you, and 2. Plenty of places to go, stop for lunch, and overnight, all within an easy sail. The Solent is easily the best for this but the compromise if that’s the word for it is the ‘scenery’; if the Solent is a non starter then my next recommendation would be either the East Coast especially the Orwell, or W Scotland / Clyde estuary area.
I’d also respectfully suggest that if your partner isn’t going to be / become a willing and competent crew member then once you get your own boat you’ll effectively be a single handed sailor with caring duties. Not specifically an issue but you need to bear that in mind when you’re selecting a boat.
dunedin
Well-known member
Absolutely. For a fixed weekend and hence no chance to flex timing for the weather, a channel crossing and back could be an exercise in putting everybody off sailing.
Depending where you have to travel from, the Clyde (as suggested by some earlier) could be a great option if want somewhere scenic plus sheltered and short distances between great harbours / anchorages.
Don’t compare the Clyde to the Solent - it is massively bigger, 8 islands to provide interest and shelter, and no strong tides to limit things. If setting off from Largs or Kip there will almost always be places to visit with reasonable shelter irrespective of weather.
And if got good forecast and really wanted to do a 12 hour crossing could always pop over to NI - though wouldn’t be my recommendation.
Only issue is major Clyde charter company went bust over the winter.
spindly_killer_fish
Active member
Oh for the last point I have already considered this, my daughter is keen though so at least there will be 2 of us, but my wife gets into things slowly so its still very much on the table at this point.
For the first point, the west of Scotland does indeed look nice, but there seems to be a lack of charter options or im just not seeing them come up, im also happy with Wales and west country
I also agree trying to please everyone isnt easy
boomerangben
Well-known member
I did my Coastal Skipper (or whatever it is called) at Go West at Largs. They do charter and skippered as well as well as Friday to Sunday. The Clyde is perfect for a weekend with lots of options, great scenery and relatively flat waters. Easy access to road network and relatively close to airports.
Sticky Fingers
Well-known member
Don’t know them but just checked the website, Go West does indeed look like a good possibility.
Go West Sailing | RYA Sail Training, Offshore Adventures & Charter
Sticky Fingers
Well-known member
Daughters tend to go off and do their own things as life / uni / work / partners whatever get in the way…
spindly_killer_fish
Active member
They do, but she has no intention of staying in the UK and more than happy to hitch a ride on the winds until she steps off
spindly_killer_fish
Active member
I need to give them a call, i dont see anything on their website that isnt 7 days
RivalRedwing
Well-known member
I'd look again at the south coast of Devon and maybe Cornwall, plenty of charter companies who I'm sure can supply a skipper too. The attraction is not only the scenery but there are many options too should the weather be less than perfect at the time of your booking - time spent sailing up an estuary might be much more attractive than a sail along a coast each day. I may be a little biased too but if you are looking to the school summer holidays then the weather is not always that good on the west side of Scotland - May or June is usually better.
Egret
Member
If family are uncertain, like Rival Redwing I would say take it very slowly at first. You will find the same on other threads. Find a place with the scenery you would like and a sheltered river to start with until you are confident with handling the boat (and to assess if everything on a 40 footer is manageable for you on your own). Have the paid skipper for day sails but not overnight so you can see what it is like to sleep over as a family, maybe on a swinging mooring where you can see the wildlife, but close to a club/civilisation for evenings and shopping. We spend a lot of time on boat, just chilling, watching the wildlife and activity, but not much actually sailing and have rarely ventured beyond the local rivers but happy. Devon and Cornwall good, but also another tick for the River Orwell - mainly tree lined, several clubs (inc RHYC), pubs (inc Butt and Oyster), Pier Hotel/Restaurant at Harwich, lots of yacht sized boats just day sail in the river mainly; and several opportunities for 'skipper, training etc'. Dedicated buoyed channel to pass well clear of Felixstowe port to go to see the seals at Walton Backwaters. Porpoises and occasional dolphins.
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Sticky Fingers
Well-known member
Maybe so; my point was that when that day comes you’ll be single handed.
spindly_killer_fish
Active member
Very true, but i wont be buying the Titanic we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, besides the wife might love it and get more involved, we just dont know the future. We might also decide this isnt for us and just go and buy a condo in Phuket, but for now this is the plan.