Sailing Holidays

Sick of hearing about the economic crisis? It is inescapable, even on holiday. You don’t have to speak French or German or Spanish to understand the visibly-greying faces of politicians on the front pages, nor the shrieking headlines about the latest numerical disaster. Numbers don’t lie.

Neither, it seems, do letters. One of the most bafflingly opaque facets of the crisis is the ability of the unholy trio of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, to send the world’s markets into spasms of fear by adjusting a country’s credit rating. Shave off an A here, add another B there and sit back to watch the ensuing chaos. Even the most knowledgeable financial wizards have their doubts about these controversial credit ratings agencies. They didn’t predict the crisis, for example, and they had Lehman Brothers pegged as a safe bet.

We’re sure a fearsome number of calculations are poured into the ratings, but to the untrained eye, it looks like they pick at old grudges and arbitrarily assign grades, in a peculiar mix of school yard-bully/teacher.

If they can do it, so can we. The only way to escape the unrelenting doom and misery is to batten down the hatches and take to the sea. Whatever your choice, whether its bareboat charters in Australia or powerboats in Greece, there is no newspaper delivery. Here’s our guide to the best sailing vacations of 2012. Hopefully you won’t need a bailout.

Italy

Agencies BBB-

Sailing Rating AAA

Poor Italy is having a very tough time of late, with the agency fillings its report card with red x’s and plenty of ‘must do better’s. Not so with sailing. Italy is lapped at by some of the best sailing waters in the world, largely thanks to the Mediterranean climate. Sailors are spoiled for choice for stop off points along its scribbled coastline, but marinas do get extremely busy in the summer. Summer also brings a raft of festivals to Italy, including the Festa Della Republica on June 2, Siena’s Palio horserace in July, and Florence’s opera festival, Maggio Musicale, while gourmands will relish the chance to sample the famous food at the proliferation of local festivals in August.

Greece

Agencies CC

Sailing Rating AA

Unless you’ve been hiding under a particularly large, sound-proofed rock, you’ll know that Greece has rather unflatteringly been given junk status by the agencies. Sailing around the seven Ionian Islands gives a much needed reminder that this is a cradle of Western civilization, with its noble history shown off by Corfu’s profusion of castles and the unparalleled Italienate style of architecture. Corfu also boasts an archaeological museum which is home to the famous Gorgon pediment of the Artemis temple. Greece also offers something to suit every sailor, with the more adventurous and stiff open waters tempered by the gentle eddying waters surrounding the islands.

Thailand

Agencies BBB+

Sailing Rating AAA-

Thailand has been designated a steady but underwhelming BBB+ by the agencies, but deserves a whole lot better in the sailing ratings. Regularly voted among the best sailing grounds in the world, it boasts good weather conditions, jaw-dropping scenery and a veritable smorgasbord of things to do. Thailand’s largest island, Phuket, is the go-to island for those who wish to rest their sea legs. The shopping and nightlife of Patong Beach, the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife and Conservation centre with its mouse deer, monkey, macaques and bears and the mix of mountains and beaches means there’s something to appeal to everyone. And Bond fans can make like The Man with the Golden Gun on Ko Khao Phung Khan, commonly known as James Bond Island.

Australia

Agencies AAA

Sailing Rating AAA

Australia is one of the few countries remaining with a roundly positive rating, and it matches this for sailing holidays too. The 74 Whitsunday Islands are made for dinging around, with easy sailing conditions and a wealth of water sports and cultural attractions to keep everyone entertained. There are also a number of high end resorts on the eight inhabited islands. It is the furthest away of our destinations, and June, July and August are the wettest and coldest months. Of course, our idea of wet and cold is very different to Australia’s and if your own personal credit rating allows it, sailing in Australia is the trip of a lifetime.

Mexico

Agencies BBB+

Sailing Rating AAA+

Mexico is often overshadowed by her showier sister, Brazil and economic analysts believe that the ratings agency’s lukewarm BBB is an overly pessimistic rating. But negotiating the 800 mile Baja Peninsula makes for one of the world’s best sailing vacations, with improbably beautiful landscapes, an abundance of rare wildlife, and all the isolation you could wish for. What’s more, sailing conditions in summer are smashing, with clear waters, short passages, hot temperatures, cool breezes and almost guaranteed sunshine. It is also swimming and snorkeling heaven and when you have had your fill of peace and quiet, a hyper and margarita-soaked mainland awaits.

Biog: Laura dreams of getting away from it all on bareboat charters in the remotest locations.

If you can picture yourself lazing on warm decking as fluffy white clouds float overhead and colorful fish swim underneath, then you’ve either got a very good imagination or you’re one of the lucky ones who’s experienced life afloat.

Of course, these days, you don’t have to own a yacht to appreciate the pleasure of sailing; in fact, you don’t even have to know how to sail to be able to make the most of life on the ocean wave. From bareboat charters to renting a boat complete with crew, there’s never been a better time to explore the world from this extremely unique and rewarding perspective.

But what happens once you’re on-board? What is there to do as you glide effortlessly across calm waters? Surely there’s more to life than sumptuous sundowners and catching a tan?

In the words of Brian Cohen: ‘There’s no pleasing some people.’

For everyone who’s thinking about heading out on a sailing vacation, below are five alternative reasons why a life on the ocean wave offers a lot more than good old-fashioned rest and recuperation.

Get creative

There’s just no way that you won’t be inspired by all those wonderful shades of blue and green, so remember to pack your camera, sketch pad and even your paint brush because once your creative juices start flowing there’ll be no turning back. Top tip: keep a note pad and pen with you at all times and jot down those little snippets of inspiration as the moment strikes.

Get active

From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean there’s always an excuse to jump off and dive into the surrounding warm waters. Swimming, snorkeling and SCUBA diving are all fabulous ways to keep fit while you’re on vacation and if you’re looking to shed a few pounds while on-board then hoisting the main sail and scrubbing the deck will get you working landlubber muscles that you never knew existed.

Life’s a beach

As you’ll be in the enviable position of discovering the hidden coves and sparkling shallows that normal castaways fail to reach, there’s every chance that you’re going to set foot on your very own desert island paradise. If you’ve ever wanted to play at Robinson Crusoe or just fancied a fish grill on a soft white sand beach, then now’s your chance.

Wildlife watching

Any sailing vacation is bound to encounter more than its fair share of wildlife and the moment you see that pod of dolphins are hear the splash of a whale’s tail, then you’ll know that your wildest sailing dreams have come true. From glass-bottomed boats to snorkeling or diving, chances to experience marine life in its natural habitat are as plentiful as technicolor sunsets. Top tip: do a little bit of research before you go to find out more about your chosen destination’s marine parks and seasonal migrations.

Land ahoy!

Yacht rental vacations aren’t just about time spent away from land and you’ll quickly discover that sailing gives you the freedom to pick and choose your destinations as effortlessly as putting a pin in a map. Sleepy fishing villages, sexy modern marinas and scenic anchorages all present the chance to down the gang plank and explore new shores before retiring to your berth ready to do it all again in the morning.

If you’re still looking for excuses to go on a bareboat charter or fully-crewed yacht vacation then just imagine yourself wearing one of those funky little captains’ hats set at a jaunty angle and I can guarantee that everything else will slide right into place.

Chris is longing to go on a yacht rental vacation and often claims to hear the call of the manatee whilst lying awake at night.

The following type of sailing holiday are explained, there are of course many variations, and different types are more predominant in different parts of the world. Feel free to lets us know in the comments, of any alternative formats you have come across, and also share your top tips from your experiences.

Flotilla

Flotilla sailing allows those with little experience the opportunity to manage their own yacht by day, but in the comfort of knowing there is an organised group and support nearby if things get a bit tricky. The Flotilla will normally follow a pre-planned itinerary of overnight anchorages, in sheltered harbours with of course a suitable local restaurant. The pace isn’t hard, and it tends to be quite a chill-out holiday.  A top tip, is if you have active teenagers who get bored easily, it to take the option of a windsurfer on-board, so they can blast out their energy when you reach your stops, allowing you to relax with your favourite glass of vino.

Cultural / Cusine Based Sailing Holidays

As the name might suggest, a cultural sailing holiday, is based around visits to historic locations and monuments. Sailing from location to location as a method of getting between islands or special places. Also as the name suggests, a cuisine based sailing holiday normal involves visiting different locations to taste different styles of food.

Bareboat Charter

Commonly called a bareboat, a bareboat charter is the hire of yacht without a crew. Although the name might indicate that the boat is bare of all equipment, that shouldn’t be the case (but check first!). Bareboat charters are for the experienced, and hopefully qualified yachts person, who know how to handle a boat in the specific waters and also is capable of voyage planning. Any charter company would expect at least an International Certificate of Competence (ICC), which you can obtain if you hold an RYA Day Skipper certificate. However the level of competence to safely charter is more in line with the RYA CoastalSkipper certificate. Depending on the ‘flag’ of the vessel, you may need other certifications, for instance the ‘Short Range Certificate’ is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on any British flagged vessel.

Many sailing holiday companies offer bareboat charters, and reputable companies should be able to brief you fully on laws regulations appropriate to your planned sailing area.

Crewed / Skippered Charter

So, if you are not so experienced or qualified to feel comfortable with a bareboat charter, you can charter yachts with a skipper & or a crew. They of course will be fully qualified (might be worth checking that!)

Cabin Charter

Chartering a whole yacht can be a bit expensive unless it is shred between several / many people. Certainly chartering a yacht with a skipper & crew would be out of reach of many single people, unless they have won the lottery. The solution is ‘cabin charter’, where you take one or more berths on a multi-berth yacht. Even the smallest yachts will sleep 5 and they don’t have to be massive to sleep 10, although arrangements can be quite ‘close’. Cabin Charter doesn’t necessarily mean you get a private cabin.

Sailing Shool Course

To some the ideas of a training course and holiday don’t go together. But for others spending a week sailing around the Solent whilst obtaining your RYA Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper qualification is an ideal antidote to everyday life. Of course its not just Yacht Sailing that can be learnt this way, there are many dinghy sailing schools in beautiful locations around the world that run week long courses, some designed for kids, some for the whole family. All these sailing course can be great ways of making new friends, as you are thrown into a new situation with a group of complete strangers, the physical and mental challenges of sailing soon create lasting bonds.

Shore based Dinghy & Windsurf Holiday club

These are very popular with enthusiastic amateur sailors and other that appreciate something to do, rather than sunbathing, on holiday. Shorebased holiday clubs have all the equipment ready for you to use, and people on hand to help you get on to the water. Many also run training courses within the club, normally you sign up for the courses at the time of booking. Being shore based, in a holiday location, means that any non-sailing family members can go and do tourist things, or sunbath, or drink at the bar watching you struggle at sea, whatever they fancy.

Family Dingy Regatta Week

A dinghy regatta week is suited to enthusiastic families of dinghy sailors, whether the kids sail and mum and dad don’t is really optional. Normally you will already be dinghy sailors with your own boats, waterproofs etc and you pack off a few hundred miles from your own club to enjoy another part of the country.

Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week starts with the Falmouth Classics event, providing a special atmosphere and superb spectacle to kick off the week. Then follows six days of competitive racing for keelboats, traditional craft and dinghies in the waters of Falmouth Bay, the Carrick Roads and the Harbour, with a Champagne Day on Wednesday. Activity on the water is matched by a lively Shoreside programme of daytime and evening entertainment, culminating in a magnificent firework display over the Harbour. With a Grand Prize Giving party in the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club at the end of the Week.

Regatta weeks are normally racing based, although they are often some ‘fun’ variations on racing for the less serious racer. Social events such as BBQs, beer tents and evening discos are the norm. Some, like the one mentioned, combine both yacht and dinghy events.

Yacht Regatta Events

Probably for the hard core yacht racers, to group together and charter (or crew a friend or associates or company yacht). The range is massive from the 1 day Round the Island Race around the UK’s Isle of Wight

The race regularly attracts over 1,700 boats and around 16,000 sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world and the fourth largest participation sporting event in the UK after the London Marathon and the Great North and South Runs

through to the niche regattas like Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, with a only a few, but stunningly beautiful yachts.