There is a wide range of yachts, charter types and destinations to choose from, so there is no doubt that even first-time sailors will have an unforgettable experience on board.
Before diving in the deep and entering the world of chartering, read our First Time Sailing Guide below!
We answer all the burning questions we are sure you have, along with Yacht4Less tips to help you impress your friends with your confidence on board (they won’t be able to tell that it’s your first time – we promise!)
You are considering a sailing holiday; you have seen the pictures, read the blogs and heard the best stories from your “frequent charterer” friends.
Still, you are a bit unsure of what to expect on a typical day on board.
All yachts have a fully equipped galley and lots of storage (including a refrigerator), so you will be able to enjoy meals on board, just as you would at home.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner or a light snack and drinks – you name it!
Going on a sailing holiday doesn’t mean that you will be sailing all day; usually, charterers enjoy 3 hours of sailing (or motoring) per day.
You could even split that into two parts and do 1,5 hours of sailing in the morning, then stop at the bay of your choice for a swim and lunch, then do 1,5 hours of sailing in the afternoon before reaching your destination for the night.
If you love the sea as much as we do, why not squeeze in a quick afternoon swim as well?
Don’t forget that you will need to be safely anchored at least 2 hours before sundown.
Moving on to the most important question – what do I bring with me on board?
Some things will be obvious; comfortable clothes, your flip-flops and swimming suit, beach towels and smart clothes for your evenings ashore.
Now, let us give you some Yacht4Less tips on other things that you need to remember to pack for your sailing holiday.
Valid passports, driver licenses or ID cards will be required from each of the crew members. If you are chartering bareboat, you will need to have your original sailing license with you (not a copy), for any port police checks.
Unless you are chartering a very large catamaran, storing hard suitcases will be an issue. We recommend packing soft bags instead of hard framed suitacases. You will find cupboards and shelves in your cabin, where you can easily store your belongings while folding your soft bags and stowing them away in one of the outside lockers.
You will need to make sure that you have white soled, clean shoes for when you are walking on board, deck shoes, and water shoes for any underwater rocks, pebbles or reefs.
You will definitely need to pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; being on board, you will be even more exposed to the harmful rays of the sun, as they reflect on the water.
Although you may not need them, it is always useful to have a waterproof jacket with you (for windy days), and a fleece or woollen top, as it can get quite chilly in the evening, especially towards the end of the season or in windy destinations, such as the Cyclades.
When under sail and not connected to shore power, you will not be able to use the regular plugs on board, so you will need to pack a 12V Car USB charger. If travelling from the UK & Ireland or the USA, you will need adaptors for European plugs. Most yachts also allow you to connect your phones etc. to the music system via bluetooth, however, you may also need an AUX cable.
This probably is the first thought that every beginner sailor has before their first time on board.
We get it; spending a whole week on a boat can be quite scary, however, this thought shouldn’t stop you from having an amazing time.
Skip to: Best time to sail: sailing seasons around the world explained »
You will find that at least 8/10 people do not get sea sick at all, and in case seasickness does happen, there are ways to fight it.
Adding a skipper means that you hire a professional and licensed captain, responsible for navigating, sailing and mooring. Check our very detailed Skippered Yacht charter Guide
Gaining Local Knowledge
All skippers are very experienced, with extensive local knowledge.
When adding crew to your bareboat charter, please remember that each crew member requires their own cabin, and you will also need to take care of their meals for the duration of the charter.
The refundable security deposit is obligatory for all yachts charters.
It is an amount you block on one or more credit cards upon arrival to the base and is fully refunded at the end of your charter if no damages are caused.
You may also like: Top 10 destinations for all levels of sailing experience | Winter Sun Sailing Holidays: A Guide to Escape Cold Winter Days
Please kindly note that provisioning, fuel, water and mooring fees need to be covered by the charterer.
The cost varies from destination to destination, so feel free to ask your charter broker to assist with the approximate calculation.
Read on: Yacht charter cost: the ultimate guide to saving money »
Are you interested in a sailing holiday, but don't want to leave your furry friends behind?
While there are a few extra things that you need to consider when planning a sailing holiday with pets on board, such as picking a pet-friendly sailing destination, vaccination, and lifeline netting, you can definitely take them with you.
All you need to do is inform your Yacht4Less charter consultant, and they will be happy to guide you through a seamless planning and booking process!
Keep on reading: How to: Bring Pets on Sailing Holidays »
Check our real time availability and pricing on our online Boat Rental Search Engine and let our Team of Experts help you create Sailing memories that will last for a lifetime or keep on reading our Yacht Charter FAQs, which will definitely help understand a bit more on what to expect on your first yacht charter.
