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Last minute booking for luxury travel to lunch! Prestige Yacht Charter are more than happy to accommodate any request no matter how big or small like this 7 mile trip from Christchurch to Colwell Bay, delivering our lovely clients for a special lunch they had organised at 'The Hut' Colwell Bay on the Isle of Wight.
Well we run RYA courses, last week we had the pleasure of taking a father and son who are brushing up on their general boat handling skills as they have chartered a 50 foot motor boat in Greece next month. They just wanted to brush up on their boat handling skills, prior to their summer vacation. What better way than from father and son bond on a nice cruise around the Solent waters. Last year they did the similar thing before sailing around Corsica in a 50 foot fly bridge cruiser. If you have a need for a little tuition on your own boat then do give us a call!
Prestige Yacht Charter were proud to support the charity event which is becoming extremely popular. The second edition of the Gosport Charity Pursuit officially started off Gilkicker Point in the eastern Solent on Saturday 10 June in glorious sunny weather. 16 yachts crossed the start line and headed off towards the Nab Tower on the 22 mile course. The event is modeled on the Eddystone Charity Pursuit in Plymouth focus is on fundraising for good causes rather than wining the trophy, The Gosport Gas Works Challenge Cup. The Pursuit is organised by Gosport Marine Scene CIC as part of the Gosport Marine Festival events with proceeds going towards Gosport Marine Futures.
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A married couple from Daventry have such a strong passion for yacht charters that they are planning to take part in a major sailing event next month.
Clare and Steve Miller will participate in the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, which is set to take place on July 2nd.
They will be among 16,000 people who will aboard 1,700 boats to get involved in the 50-nautical mile race, according to the Daventry Express.
Speaking with the newspaper, Clare, who owns Hays Hair Company in Daventry, said “sea and sailing is in my blood,” despite her landlocked location.
She added: “As a qualified dive master and a sailing lover, Daventry is about as far away from the coast as you can get.”
The pair will be joined by a couple of their friends to set sail around the Isle of Wight in a couple of weeks time for the race, which is now in its 85 th year.
Mr and Mrs Miller, who have sailed more than 12,000 miles together, will hop aboard their 47-ft Wauquiez boat named Laura Louise.
This one-day event is being organised by the Island Sailing Club and is one of the largest yacht races around the globe.
It is even the fourth most participated sporting event in Britain, following the London Marathon, and the Great and North Runs.
The fastest time the race has ever been completed by a monohull boat was three hours, 43 minutes and 50 seconds by Mike Slade in 2013, while Sir Ben Ainslie finished in two hours, 52 minutes and 15 seconds for a multihull vessel in the same year..
Great news if you've sorted out yacht charters this week in Cowes or the surrounding areas - the Solitaire du Figaro will be on from June 22nd until the 26th.
There's an awful lot going on over the four days, such as a Creation Station that's perfect for all the family where kids can try their hand at making turtles, jellyfish and shell jewellery. There's also an interactive pirate and mermaid themed storytelling extravaganza and a climbing wall that kids - big and small alike - will certainly enjoy.
You're also sure to enjoy the Victorian fun fair in Cowes Yacht Haven, which comes complete with a Ferris wheel, carousel, hoopla and coconut shy. And don't forget to frequent the Race Village Bar so you can enjoy a cool beverage in the sunshine as you watch the racing.
The Solitaire du Figaro itself is a race that takes place between four bases - Deauville, Cowes, Paimpol and La Rochelle - covering an impressive 1,525 miles. The multi-stage sailing race was set up way back in 1970 by Jean-Michel Barrault and Jean-Louis Guillemard and what makes it unique is that it's not just open to amazing solo sailors but also amateurs as well.
If you've been skippering yacht charters for quite some time, it might be a good idea to try your hand at a bit of competitive racing in the future so why don't you start practising as much as you can and perhaps you too could one day give the Solitaire du Figaro a go.
Once you know what you're doing when it comes to yacht rentals and are a confident sailor, you can start planning your next adventure. And if you want to put yourself really to the test, why don't you make your way to Wales for the Extreme Sailing Series in Cardiff, an event that's often referred to as Formula One on Water which should give you some idea of what it'll be like.
This is actually the only UK leg of this year's Extreme Sailing Series season, taking place between June 23rd and 26th, and it'll see a new fleet of hydro-foiling CG32 catamarans making their debut in the UK.
The UK Act will see a good fight between Series leaders Oman Air, Alinghi, the Red Bull Sailing Team and the Land Rover BAR Academy team take place, so it'll certainly be exciting viewing for all spectators. A squad of eight multihall racers, part of the BAR Academy at Sir Ben Ainslie's America's Cup rota in Portsmouth, will rotate at the end of each day's racing.
So if you are planning on going to Cardiff this year, you can rest assured you'll have a great few days away. And if you can't make it, don't worry - you'll be able to catch all the action on BT Sport on the last day of the competition, or you can watch it online via the Series's YouTube channel on both the 25th and 26th.
Race director Phil Lawrence said: "We get big crowds and it's a compact stadium so the racing is really close and people can watch the action all along the side of the course. The racing is great and the sailors love it."
Spectators will also be able to enjoy all sorts of activities at the Race Village, as well as going canoeing at Cardiff International White Water Centre and the chance to have a go on an Eliptigo, a stand-up bike.
Here’s a fun tale that might inspire you to look into yacht hire so you and your pets can travel the world – 24-year-old Guirec Soudee has spent the last two years circumnavigating the globe with his red hen, Monique.
Apparently, the Frenchman had always dreamed of buying a sailing boat and making his way around the world, and he later decided to bring Monique with him on his trip of a lifetime after thinking that a constant supply of eggs would be quite nice while at sea, Metro reports.
So far, the unlikely duo have been across the Atlantic to St Barts (a journey that was made in 28 days, with 25 eggs laid along the way), and now they find themselves in Greenland, where they’ve been since November last year.
It seems as though Monique really does have an adventurous disposition, learning to swim, paddle and even surf while in the Caribbean. And it seems as though this happy little chicken’s name will be in lights before we know it, as Guirec is planning to write a series of children’s books about their many adventures.
Those of you out there keen to foster an interest in sailing in their youngsters may find these books particularly useful. And if not, they’re sure to serve up a few laughs for all the family, even if your offspring aren’t exactly inspired to head out on the open water on a skippered yacht charter. We’re sure there are other ways in which you can drum up a bit of enthusiasm about sailing later down the line.
Now you've sorted out your luxury yacht charter, you can start stocking up on everything you'll need for your holiday around the Solent. Here are a few brands that do amazing nautical clothing and gear to point you in the right direction.
Nautica
If you want to look super stylish on your skippered yacht, with the wind blowing through your hair and the sun on your face, head to online retailer Nautica. They have clothes for men, women and children, as well as lots of great accessories. You can even buy products for your home to get the nautical look there as well.
The Sailing Clothing Store
If you want substance over style, then The Sailing Clothing Store is the one for you. Here, you'll find sailing jackets, gilets, mid layers, hats, caps, gloves and even thermal base layers - everything you could ever want for a comfortable sailing trip.
Henri Lloyd
Or you could combine style and substance, and invest in good-looking yet practical clothing perfect for ensuring you have a good time away. Find jackets, polo shirts, holdalls, stow bags and lots more all at the click of a button.
Musto
If you love the outdoor life, then Musto is a great choice of brand as it's not just sailing products that they stock but everything from equestrian to shooting as well. Get everything from salopettes to wetsuits right here, your one-stop shop for a fun life spent outside.
Quba
Quba has been going strong since 1996 so you know they know their stuff. Find nautical accessories and clothing for men and women, as well as handmade-to-order holdalls, jackets and home furnishings right here.
Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton was spotted this week (May 20th) out and about paying Sir Ben Ainslie’s Land Rover BAR America’s Cup team a little visit, on a trip to inspire an interest in children from diverse backgrounds in yacht charters and learning to sail.
This particular project was launched as part of Sir Ben’s sailing charity, The 1851 Trust (of which Kate happens to be Royal Patron). The Duchess was even lucky enough to assume the role of skipper and took the helm of the state-of-the-art racing catamaran (under the watchful eye of Sir Ben’s crew, of course).
According to the Daily Telegraph, the catamaran reached top speeds of 34 knots an hour with Kate on board and Sir Ben even said later on that she had performed so well he’d be more than happy to give her a place on his team.
“I think the Duchess had a great time, it certainly looked that way. It was perfect sailing conditions – we had about 15 knots of wind, we were going up to 33 or 34 knots, which is close to 40mph,” he was quoted by the news source as saying.
Inspired by Kate’s day of sailing in Portsmouth and want to give it a go yourself? Then come along and see us here at Prestige Yacht Charter to see how we can help you find your own set of sea legs. You’ll be in very safe hands as our skipper Steve has completed more than 65,000 miles at sea on both yachts and powerboats.
Sailing on a luxury yacht charter when the sun is shining and the skies are clear is a perfect day for many people, which is why there may be lots of Brits hoping to set sail this weekend.
The upcoming Bank Holiday (May 28th till 31st) will be a turning point when it comes to the weather, with temperatures expected to be higher than average.
It is even thought the fine weather could trigger a three-month heatwave, with forecasters calling next month ‘Flaming June’.
Piers Corbyn, forecaster for WeatherAction, said: “We are forecasting a tremendous dry warm sunny ‘Flaming June’ for most of the month. The start will be dry, warm or hot, with sunny, blue skies.”
According to the Mirror, Ladbrokes are also behind the warmer weather, slashing the odds of it being the hottest summer on record to 2/1.
However, its odds for the hottest May ever remains at 6/4 despite temperatures expected to reach 30 degrees C over the weekend. If the average Central England Temperature is higher than 15.1 degrees C, this month will be the warmest May since 1833.
Speaking with the news provider, James Madden from Exacta Weather agreed the UK will experience above-average temperatures during the final part of the month as a result of high pressure.
Those who want to set sail this weekend may experience a couple of showers, particularly towards the later part of Sunday and Monday. However, they will still have plenty of time to enjoy the bright sunshine during the rest of the long break.
If you plan to charter a yacht to cruise around the Caribbean, make sure you're especially careful of protected coral reefs or you could find yourself in serious trouble with the authorities.
According to the Daily Mail, co-founder of Microsoft Paul Allen now faces having his super yacht taken away and he and his crew could be fined up to $600,000 and jailed for up to four years after the anger of the $160 million Tatoosh dragged through a coral reef just off the coast of the Cayman Islands.
A spokesman for Mr Allen's investment company Vulcan Inc said the incident had been exaggerated and the crew on board had been operating in accordance with instructions from the local port authority. As soon as local divers told them there might be a problem, they moved the boat of their own accord.
So what can you do to help protect coral reefs when sailing in the Caribbean? If sailing near coral, do not rely on your chart plotter or marine GPS to help you make it through. Use your eyes and go off the colour of the bottom of the ocean bed to help you make informed decisions about where to steer the boat. Remember that brown rings can either mean coral or grass, so keep clear of these. Look out for dark brown or black spots as well, as this could signify coral heads.
Try to keep the sun above you and at your back to make it easier to spot the coral. If the sun is ahead of you, you'll have glare on the water which can make it hard to see. Polarised sunglasses are also a must if you're to make it through safely.
Kensington Palace has revealed how Kate Middleton is planning to inspire a new generation of youngster to take up sails and become the future of yacht charters in Portsmouth. She will visit the town this week as part of her Royal Patron role of the 1851 Trust, launching new campaigns to encourage more young people from all kinds of backgrounds to get involved in the sport.
The 1851 Trust was launched in 2014 and also has Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie as a patron of the charity. It aims to get more young people into sailing as both sport and industry, and recently unveiled plans for 1,000 free sailing lessons for young people over the summer this year.
The Duchess of Cornwall’s sailing credentials are quite well documented – having sailed since childhood herself. She said of her role at the 1851 Trust: “I feel very fortunate to have enjoyed sailing from a young age and I know it is a great way of providing young people with the opportunity to develop skills and confidence.”
According to the IB Times, Kate will be heading to the charity’s headquarters on May 20th to launch two flagship schemes, as well as meeting with local school children.
The 1851 Trust is also tasked with helping to bring back the prestigious America’s Cup back to British waters. This year, the Portsmouth leg of the competition’s tour takes place between the 21st and 24th July – and the event is always one of the biggest in Portsmouth’s sailing calendar each year.
Last weekend saw Britain bask in sunshine, experiencing warmer weather than many southern European countries.
Indeed, the high temperatures, bright blue skies and cool breezes were perfect for those renting a luxury yacht charter to unwind on the coast over the weekend.
While forecasts predicted a warm couple of days, it was not expected that the temperatures would escalate so much they would break records.
However, Skye in Scotland did just that, reaching 26.1 degrees C on Monday (May 9th). This is higher than the previous record for May of 24.4 C, which occurred in 2008 and 2009.
The rest of the UK also enjoyed glorious weather, with London having the highest recorded temperature earlier this week when thermometers reached 27 C on Sunday. Despite this being much higher than the average for this time of the year (14.7 C), it is not as hot as the record for the warmest day in May.
In 1922 and 1944, temperatures reached 32.8 C, a high that has not been achieved ever since, according to the Met Office.
Even so, those who love the sunshine will be pleased to know Britain was warmer than Ibiza, Athens, Rome and Istanbul last weekend – popular holiday destinations for those looking to get a tan over the summer.
However, Brits have been advised to make the most of the sunshine while it lasts, as the next few months are likely to be unpredictable.
Meteorologist from AccuWeather Tyler Roys said the UK will experience a number of downpours, adding “the unsettled weather will continue into the summer months”.
If you’re a regular on a skippered yacht charter, one of your biggest pet peeves will be seeing pollution in the ocean – however, in the Mediterranean you’re likely to see far less than if you were to be on board a yacht in Hong Kong.
After finding themselves disgusted with the amount of plastic debris floating in the waters by the city, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club has put a ban on selling drinks in plastic cups to its members, as well as saying goodbye to plastic bags and straws, according to the South China Morning Post.
The yacht club is launching the initiative on Worlds Ocean Day on June 8th – which is particularly notable for Hong Kong as recycling is largely non-existent in the country.
However, club member Anthony Day says that as sailors, they are in a unique position to really notice the effects on the ocean. “It’s impossible to sail far without being struck by the amount of plastic that finds its way into our waters and onto our beaches,” he said.
It’s a precedent that other yacht clubs should take note of though, as research in January found that by 2050 there will be fewer fish in the ocean than pieces of plastic if recycling of the product doesn’t become more widespread. At the moment, 95 per cent of the world’s plastic packaging is thrown away after just one use and not recycled. Eight million tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean every year.
The Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is only a few months away, which means predictions over how competitors are doing are starting to come in thick and fast.
Sailing enthusiasts who love to rent a yacht from time to time will no doubt have their eyes glued to the TV between August 5th and 21st to see how professional skippers fare in the games.
The Telegraph has reported that team GB has a solid group of sailors this year, with Giles Scott, Alison Young, Nick Thomspon, and windsurfers Nick Dempsey and Bryony Shaw. This is despite a number of famous names leaving after the London Olympics in 2012, including Sir Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy.
While Scott failed to qualify for the previous games, losing out to Ainslie, he has come back stronger and fitter than ever.
According to the newspaper, which predicts the sailors will come back with four medals collectively, Scott is: “Now 28 and in his prime, he is a big favourite.”
They have received £25,504,055 worth of funding, which has been put into intense training to help the sportsmen and women achieve gold success this summer.
Young is another one to watch, having become the first British woman to take home the World Championship title in a solo Olympic dinghy class.
Unfortunately, Olympic winner Andrew Simpson will be missing from the competition this year, following his untimely death in 2013.
The 36-year-old died when his yacht capsized during a training session. He suffered head trauma and was trapped underneath the catamaran for ten minutes.
Simpson took home a silver medal at London 2012, after winning gold at Beijing 2008.
Here’s an exhibition that you might like to check out if you’ve arranged skippered yacht charters for a nice sailing holiday away – a 1:37 scale Lego model of the Queen’s Royal Yacht Britannia was unveiled at Britannia’s visitor centre in Leith in February.
Fisherman and model builder Jim McDonough, 51, spent five weeks building the model out of 40,000 Lego bricks, and the finished product measures more than three metres long, the BBC reports.
He’s even gone so far as to add minute details such as the white Baby Grand Piano in the deck tea room and the on-board Phantom V Rolls-Royce!
Mr McDonough, who built the ship in his living room at home, said: “It was an honour to be asked to build The Royal Yacht Britannia, and it's one of the most exciting projects I've ever undertaken, and being able to refer to the original plans, kindly supplied by Britannia, allowed me to produce this replica of Her Majesty's yacht."
If this particular yacht inspires you to take to the seven seas, come to us here at Prestige Yacht Charters so we can help you find your sea legs. Even if you’re an inexperienced sailor, you can still enjoy traversing the waterways on the Solent as our boat comes with its own skipper, who has completed more than 65,000 miles at sea. You couldn’t possibly be in any safer hands than Steve’s!
Give us a call today to find out more about our sailing holidays along the south coast.
We know you’re all waiting with bated breath on your skippered yacht charters for the start of the America’s Cup World Series sailing competition – and the good news is that there’s only 87 more days to hang in there!
The competition takes place between July 22nd and 24th, with the best sailors in the world coming together in the fastest boats to fight it out over a couple of days in Portsmouth in a number of short and sharp races that will certainly keep you on the edge of your seats.
Last year, it was especially exciting for UK crowds because Sir Ben Ainslie’s home team took home the crown, but don’t expect it to be an easy win for him this year. The Portsmouth event will be the seventh on the circuit and the competition is extremely tough so Sir Ben will have a fight on his hands if he wants to go for the W again.
So what’s going on in Portsmouth this year that will have the crowds entertained – aside from all the top-notch sailing, of course. There’s a three-day public programme of events that includes aerobatic displays from the Blades Display Team on the 23rd, while on the 24th the Red Bull Matadors are popping in to impress crowds with their loops and dives.
If you’re interested in going to see the racing, as well as check out what else is going on, tickets cost from £25 per person, while those aged between six and 15 can get theirs for half price. Those under the age of five can get in for free.
It's important for people above a certain age to stay as active as possible and renting a skippered yacht charter to learn to sail could be the perfect way of keeping fit and healthy once you hit 50. And it seems as though charity Age UK is all too well aware of the health benefits of getting outside and being active, since it's launched a Silver Sailing initiative in Coventry designed to offer subsidised sailing lessons for anyone over the age of 50.
According to the Royal Yachting Association, a sailing club will start on April 28th in the city and run for six weeks - perfect since sailing is one of the few sports out there that both older people, those with disabilities and able-bodied sailors can all take part in on an equal footing.
Age UK Coventry's physical activity development officer Dave Montgomery said: "These sessions aren't about being a good sailor or being 100 per cent physically active, they are about trying something different, getting out of the house, getting outdoors and enjoying what is a very sociable sport."
He went on to add that older people might not have even considered in the past that sailing would be something they could do, but now's the time to spark a new interest. You'll also be able to enjoy the sociable aspect of being out on the water, important for tackling feelings of isolation as you get older.
While you might be tempted to buy a boat so you can spend your retirement sailing, it makes sense to take a few sailing lessons first to find out if you actually enjoy it or not. Some people just don't take to the sport, so before you waste any of your precious money, make sure it's the right activity for you first. If you want to try sailing on the Solent, call us here at Prestige Yacht Charter today.
If there was ever a point that proved the cost of a luxury yacht charter was actually within your grasp, then this is it – and if you’re a Londoner, you might feel like a break from the city after finding out these figures.
Labour mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan is trying to tackle the capital’s ballooning housing bubble by pointing out that for many people, it’d be easier to afford a 50-foot luxury yacht then get their first step on London’s housing ladder
Sadiq’s team uncovered that the average deposit for a London home now outweighs an Afolina Helicopter at £85,000, an Aston Martin Vantage V8 S Roadster at £105,080 and a 47-foot Oceanis 473 yacht at £104,600. The average deposit now sits at £108,000.
According to the Labour List, the Member of Parliament said: “It shows how ludicrous it has got when the average deposit for a first time buyer is more than an Aston Martin, a helicopter or a yacht”
For the majority of people, being able to own their own home is much higher on their reality wishlist than owning a luxury yacht, which often remains a pipe dream. However, there’s a way to live the lavish yacht-lovers lifestyle without having to forego a deposit on a new home – and that’s by chartering a private, luxury yacht for a holiday.
With your own skipper at your service, you get all the best of life on a boat without having to live on one full-time. So, when it comes down to the choice of your London home and buying a luxury yacht – always go for the home (just make sure you’ve got enough left over for a holiday!)
With summer on the horizon, there must be so many of you out there looking to rent a yacht and take to the seven seas with your family, dog included. If you can’t bear to leave the pooch behind on your yachting holiday, just make sure you know all there is to know about water safety for dogs.
Firstly, you need to know how strong a swimmer your pup is before you take them off on a boat. Find a shallow spot of water and take your dog in on a lead so he gets used to it. Don’t force him into the water if he doesn’t want to go – this will be your first sign that perhaps a boat holiday isn’t right for your dog.
When at the beach, keep an eye out for strong currents and rip tides if your dog is in the water, as these can easily pull him out to sea very quickly. Make sure he doesn’t drink any sea water as this will make him sick and ensure he doesn’t eat any fish that have washed up on the beach as this too could cause an illness.
When on the boat, make sure you plan regular pit stops so your dog can relieve himself as and when he needs to. Make sure he stays inside the boat at night so you won’t lose him if he falls overboard. If he falls into the sea during the day, keep pointing at him so you don’t lose his position. You might also want to consider investing in a lifejacket for dogs to be on the safe side.
Now you've sought out the best deal on luxury yacht charter, it's time to be equally as careful with your money when it comes to spending while abroad on one of our breaks. We've collected up some of the best tricks of the trades for making the most of your money abroad from finance experts, as well as some from our own personal experience too.
Credit cards
While credit and debit cards seem like a much safer option then carrying around wads of cash, you need to make sure you're taking the right kind of card away so that you're making the most of your money. Some credit cards have no fee for spending on it in a foreign country; however, most cards have a 'non-sterling transaction fee' according to GoCompare.com experts, meaning you'll be charged 2.9 per cent on every transaction you make on it.
However, this may still be preferable to withdrawing cash from an ATM when abroad, as this may charge you between two and five per cent, on top of your non-sterling fee, meaning overall, this could cost you as much as £8 to withdraw £100 from a foreign bank.
Changing up money
Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to change up your money, so you don't get caught short and end up taking a worse deal from the airport on the day you travel. If you're booked well in advance, keep an eye on the currency rate, and choose to change up when the pound is looking in particularly good shape.
Also, be sure to see how much cash your holiday insurance covers you up to. If the worst happens and you lose your purse or wallet with all your money in, some insurers will only cover up to £200 in value, so don't carry more than this amount on you at one time.
If you're not sure about how much to change up, there are plenty of holiday budget calculators online, meaning you can get a better idea of how much you might need.
There is also the option of currency cards, which like debit cards can be used to pay in shops or withdraw from cash machines, which you can load up remotely if you need to access some more funds for your break.
While it's not quite as dramatic as it sounds, so-called holiday starvation (when you've not so much as taken time off to relax, let alone chartered a skippered yacht) can have a huge effect on your outlook on life.
According to TNT Magazine, the phrase has been coined by Sunshine.co.uk which also said that the holiday starved among us feel worn out and fed up with having not had a chance to get away.
Though to most of us, our last holiday seems too long ago, to qualify as holiday starved you need to have not been away in three years, according to this survey. While you may imagine the most common root of this is lack of funds for travelling, in actual fact that only makes up 32 per cent of the answers. Instead, it's the pressures and demands of busy lives and careers (41 per cent) and family life (15 per cent) which are getting in the way.
Though when raising a young family, yachting might not be the best choice for you - for slightly older kids it's heaven sent. All action, new locations every day and new places to explore, it's the perfect remedy to keep them engaged and active.
We find chartered yachting particularly great for those busy people who find it hard to switch off. Structure to your day, learning the ropes from your skipper and enjoying the challenges of the sea will all mean you won't even be tempted to check your emails.
So banish boredom and book your yacht charter today. The stress will start to melt away!
Good news for all you sailors out there on luxury yacht charters in the Solent this weekend – it’s time for the Easter Challenge!
The Bank Holiday (March 25-27th) marks the start of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s (RORC’s) domestic season in the UK – and the Easter Challenge is one of the most exciting dates in every crew’s diary, since it gives them a good opportunity to get their head in the game and find their sea legs once again in time for the Brewin Dolphin Commodores Cup.
It’s been designed as a training while racing regatta, with people able to take advantage of on-the-water coaching from a very experienced team of sailors, under the watchful eye of Jim Saltonstall.
The Fast 40+ class will also be making its debut at the RORC Easter Challenge, with between eight and ten Fast 40+s competing. Apparently, this is the most competitive homegrown handicap inshore keelboat racing seen in the UK since the Admiral’s Cup.
Chances are you’ve not heard of the Fast 40+ and for the uninitiated, this simply means boats with an IRC TCC of 1.210 to 1.270. Ker 40s like the Baraka GP and Hooligan represent the smallest, while the likes of Peter Morton’s Carkeek 40 Mk3 is at the top end of the spectrum.
Come April, the Season’s Points Championship will also get underway, with the Cervantes Trophy race from Cowes to Le Havre taking place on the 30th. After this, there’s the North Sea Race on May 6th from Harwich to Scheveningen and the intensely popular De Guingand Bowl on May 14th.
When it comes to saving, Brits appear to have a clear focus in mind, as one-third put money aside for big purchases such as their holiday, which could include arranging a luxury yacht charter.
Santander recently published findings from its UK Savings Personalities quiz, which revealed the spending and savings habits of Brits.
While as many as one in five do not save anything from their salary each month, those who do tend to squirrel it away for a break away or other big expenses (34 per cent).
Helen Blerton, head of savings at Santander, said: “Setting aside money each month may sound daunting, especially when budgets are tight, but getting into the habit of saving small amounts regularly is hugely beneficial in the long-term.”
The findings showed 32 per cent of people are Sometime Squirrellers, saving for special occasions such as holidays but without a strict financial plan. This is followed by Superhero Savers at 23 per cent, who save as much as they can.
Sailing enthusiasts who are planning a break away this Easter may be tempted to go to Crete, as last week M&S Bank revealed this was the best value destination.
The financial services provider stated family holidays have risen by three per cent from last Easter, which amounts to an average of £72 extra for a family of four.
Among the other value destinations it listed are Andalucia, Malta, Paphos and Lanzarote.
If you are saving for your Easter holiday yacht break, you might consider putting some money in a jar. If you did, you would not be alone, as SunLife Direct revealed a third of Brits still put spare change in a jar as a means of saving cash.
Those of you who have arranged skippered yacht charters in Portsmouth this summer in time for the America’s Cup in July might want to see if their children want to enter a design competition being organised by the America’s Cup World Series team.
Back for a second year, the 1851 Trust competition is asking for young designers aged between five and 16 who live in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to come up with designs for the official commemorative trophies for the coming event.
“The 1851 Trust is proud to be the official charity of the America’s Cup World Series, Portsmouth. One of our key aims is to inspire and engage a new generation through sailing and the marine industry. The trophy competition is a great example of achieving these aims. We can’t wait to see the entries,” CEO of the trust Alasdair Akass said.
If you want to advise your children on what to include in their designs, perhaps suggest that they feature icons of Portsmouth, maritime symbols or even the 1851 Trust logo in their work if they want to be in with a chance of winning.
The winner of the design competition will get a pair of tickets to the America’s Cup race village on July 24th, as well as being involved in the trophy presentation, according to the Portsmouth News. The competition closes on June 6th, so there’s still plenty of time to enter.
We’d love to hear about the designs your children come up with so make sure you get in touch to let us know how they get on.
If you’re still looking for your perfect getaway this year, it’s not too late to charter a skippered yacht in time for this year’s season in the Mediterranean – and while we know there’s a whole world of travel opportunities out there for you, listen up to just what a holiday at sea has to offer to you.
If you’re a yachting newbie, your charter might go one of two ways – you might want to take the time to learn more about sailing, or you might want to simply relax on board your luxury yacht. We know first-hand that with many couples who holiday together, one wants to do the former and one the latter. The perfect fit – but we challenge you not to catch the sailing bug when you’re in such a stunning location.
Regular travellers will know that a bit of local knowledge goes a long way when it comes to making the most of your break, so having your own personal skipper is a great benefit. Fonts of information on the local area, they’ll set a path for your trip, ensuring you find the best sunbathing spots, areas of outstanding natural beauty or whatever else you demand from your trip.
If you’re travelling as a family, it’s a great way to also keep everyone occupied and stop boredom creeping in. After all, you’ll be looking at a different place every day, exploring what your destination of choice has to offer. So whether it’s Italy, the Balearics, Greece or any other Mediterranean hotspot, a trip on a floating luxury hotel really should be on your to-do list this year.
Before you take to the seven seas in your yacht rental, you might want to download a few sailing apps to your iPad or smartphone so you know you're as prepared as possible.
Navionics
Plan your routes with ease and never run the risk of being lost at sea with the Navionics app for the iPad, which comes with accurate charts that are really easy to use, even if you're not as seasoned a sailor as you might be.
WeatherPro
Created by MeteoGroup, this is an award-winning app that has a huge array of features, from seven-day forecasts to weather reports for an impressive two million locations around the world. Take advantage of warning levels and worldwide alerts for extreme weather, as well as additional features like webcams, weather news, weather photos and widgets. Even better, there are no adverts to annoy you as you sail!
My Tide Times
This really useful app will give you information on more than 9,000 tidal stations in more than 25 countries. You'll have data at your fingertips for tide tables and predictions, sunrise and sunset times, moonrise, moonset and moon phase information, and once the information has been downloaded you can just store it on your phone so you won't need an internet connection to view it.
Windfinder
Get wind forecasts for more than 40,000 spots around the world - perfect for paragliders, sailors, surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers. It's highly descriptive and easy to read, with lots of graphics to make it very user friendly.
Give these apps a go the next time you're at sea and you'll find your holiday runs a lot smoother than it might otherwise have done.
Make sure that you have the necessary sailing skills in place or know someone who has years of experience behind them before you sort out yacht charters or you could find yourself in need of the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution).
What you don’t want to have happen is for the emergency services to be called out unduly to help you just because you don’t have enough sailing experience or because there’s a problem with your boat.
According to the Daily Telegraph, two elderly sailors – Bob Weise and Steve Shapiro, both aged 71 – were rescued for the seventh time just off the coast of St Ives in Cornwall after their plan to sail from Norway to America floundered somewhat.
They have also had to be rescued in Norway, Denmark, Scotland and Ireland after beginning their trip of a lifetime in July, with the Cornwall incident the second time they had to call for help in just three days.
Former US Army helicopter pilot Mr Weise said: “We’re having great fun. Everywhere we go the people are welcoming... seamen are always helpful, even if they think you are crazy and don’t know how to sail. One of the coastguard fellows said: ‘You guys could sink.’ And, I said, ‘you know, there’s worse places to die than at sea’.”
If you still want a maritime adventure but don’t know how to sail, you can always charter a boat and a skipper so that you can still traverse the seven seas but without the fear of capsizing. Call us at Prestige Yacht Charter to find out even more.
If you’re going to rent a yacht in Portsmouth in time for the America’s Cup World Series, then you’re in for a real treat – the Red Bull Matadors have been booked for another amazing aerobatic display later on this year.
The 2016 event is taking place on July 24th and holidaymakers off on a sailing adventure of their own will no doubt enjoy watching the two stunt planes zoom through the skies at speeds of up to 250mph.
If you like your aerial shows as much as you like watching yachts gadding about on the water, then you’re in luck as a further two aerial display teams will be taking to the skies for this year’s Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth, although they have yet to be announced.
“We’re delighted to announce the first of our aerial display teams, and look forward to bringing more great acrobatic shows, as well as other new features, to Portsmouth this summer. The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series is one of the world’s most prestigious sailing competitions, but it’s also a really family friendly weekend with something for everyone,” Leslie Greenhalgh, event organiser, said.
The America’s Cup first started back in 1851 when a schooner named America (representing the New York Yacht Club) beat Queen Victoria’s Royal Yacht in a sailing race on the Solent. The trophy was taken back to the US and it was well over a century before it would have to leave New York again. Such was the triumph of this particular event that the race itself was named after the winning schooner.