Post-hurricane in the BVIS • What we learned on our charter cruise community
YM reader Chris Waynforth shares his top 10 tips for chartering
Last year we had our first flotilla holiday in the Ionian Islands, departing from Lefkas. I’ve owned a boat on the east coast for five years and have my RYA Day Skipper ticket. Despite my experience, sailing in the Med was really quite different to the shallow shores of the Orwell and the Walton Backwaters. Sailing maybe sailing, but going from a depth of 5-10m to 50-100m wasn’t the only shock to the system, so here are a few tips we learned as we went along:
1. If you like a lie in, and don’t fancy breakfast on board, get to the morning briefing 10 minutes early so you can place your order before the lead skipper starts their talk.
2. It’s important that everyone listens to the briefing, especially your first mate. This is particularly relevant when the discussion moves on to where to stop for lunch, and where best to anchor up.
3. Anchoring was the hardest thing for me to get my head around. Dropping over 60m of chain feels strange! Get the hang of anchoring early so you can really enjoy the coves and islands you visit. If you are new to it, go in with other boats so you can help each other out – or even raft up.
4. If you have kids and they enjoy relaxing on deck, a beam reach is best, and irons out the gusts perfectly.
5. Water is not easily available at some of the ports, so remember to use it sparingly. If you own a boat you’ll be used to this, but if you don’t, remind the kids you are not in a house connected to the mains water!
6. If you own a handheld VHF take it with you, especially if you are short-handed. This makes life a lot easier when communicating with the lead crew – especially when arriving at a new port for the night. Take their advice, too. They know the port better than you do.
7. Don’t assume other boats know the rules of the road. There are a lot of new sailors or flotilla-only sailors in the Med. If in doubt stay out of the way.
8. When it comes to gear, sea shoes are a must as it’s very rocky. A snorkel, mask and flippers are a great addition for underwater fun, and sailing gloves will protect your hands from the stiff ropes.
9. Use the engine. There is no point drifting, especially as some flotillas ask for you to arrive as early as 1600. There is so much to see that you want to get into port in good time.
10. Finally, if you have never used a holding tank before, get used to emptying it EVERY morning. It’s not pleasant when it overflows!