| Hiring your own yacht and sailing it at your discretion | | | | non-slip, non-marking trainers is necessary before you |
| is a great activity but it's one that benefits from a | | | | go out on your chartered yacht. The deck is no place |
| little forethought and preparation. A sailing yacht | | | | to slip and it certainly will get wet at some point - |
| charter is all you need to take the boat out of | | | | and if your shoes leave marks, prepare to pay some |
| harbour - but if you want to enjoy the experience, | | | | extra costs when you return your boat to the |
| it's best to take a little more than just the receipt on | | | | owner. |
| board with you. | | | | GPS: Most chartered yachts have some form of |
| Here are a few handy things to bring with you | | | | fixed GPS technology already installed when you hire |
| before you set sail: | | | | them. That said, a portable, hand-held GPS can still be |
| Waterproof Clothing: Essential, particularly in cooler | | | | a useful item to have handy. If the boat's electrics go |
| areas such as UK waters. You'll need a jacket and | | | | then you can use the hand help as a backup system, |
| trousers in case of rain or rough tides, or instead of | | | | sailing the yacht back to shore with ease. |
| enjoying the freedom and luxury of chartering a | | | | Mobile Phone: Although if you're far away from the |
| yacht you'll just be extremely soggy. If you're sailing | | | | coast you're unlikely to get much in the way of |
| in the Mediterranean at the height of summer this is | | | | signal, when you're at berth or off the coast you'll |
| less vital - but can still save you masses of | | | | probably be fine. A phone is indispensable if you need |
| inconvenience. | | | | to talk to the charter company about any issue with |
| Wellies: Not any old rubber boot - bring proper | | | | the boat or your charter. It can also be useful for |
| yachting wellies. You may be bale to rent these from | | | | making arrangements whilst you're away; from |
| the chartering company or they may be included as | | | | booking a table to arranging a berth in a busy marina, |
| part of the boat's equipment but make sure you | | | | a mobile can be invaluable. |
| have a pair available for the skipper (presumably, | | | | Sun screen & hat: Even in UK waters, the sun can be |
| you). These wellies have tight tops to stopping water | | | | debilitating if you're out on deck all day. Take a high |
| from getting in even if you go overboard, making | | | | factor sun screen and try to take a wide-brimmed |
| them perfect for going ashore via the on-board | | | | hat to provide some portable shade for your head. |
| dinghy, as well as having specially treated soles that | | | | There's not much shade on a yacht unless your |
| make them perfect deck shoes (see below). | | | | below decks, so sun stroke or nasty burns can sneak |
| Deck Shoes: If you've got proper deck shoes, you | | | | up on you if you're not careful. |
| know what they offer. If you haven't, then a pair of | | | | |