Skippered sailing holidays

Skippered Charters: Questions answered and myths busted

Our skippers can be added to any of our bareboat or flotilla charters for your entire trip or just a day two, whichever suits you.

 Skippers can come in handy and fulfil a number of different roles and should be considered if you don’t have a sailing certificate or if it’s been a good few years since you were at the helm.

You may have a first mate who just prefers sunbathing to getting fenders ready or has to much on their hands keeping the children occupied.

A skipper can also benefit you if you have been hoisting your own sails for decades and just want a little help and support with some of the more physical aspects of keeping a yacht moving under sail.

Below are some commonly asked questions about the finer details that come up when considering a skipper and the answers to help you decide what’s right for you.

Will the skipper always be in charge to the yacht, can I do any sailing?

Our skippers will be officially in charge of taking care of handling the yacht. Though depending on your level of sailing experience you can do as much or as little as you like, including taking the helm, so long as the skipper feels it is safe to do so. Please note that skippers will take pride in the presentation of the yacht but they are not cooks, cleaners or maids.

Where will the skipper sleep?

Skippers must generally be allocated a stern cabin to themselves for the duration of your charter, though occasionally the bow can be agreed upon. Anything outside of this normal arrangement may be agreed upon with discretion before you book your charter but please assume your skipper will need a cabin in the stern.

What/ how do we feed our skipper?

That’s entirely up to you. If you’re planning to pre-order all of your food online then remembers to buy enough to accommodate the skipper.

If you’re planning to provision when you arrive then speak to your skipper when you meet them to find out what they like or don’t like and can or can’t eat.

You may invite your skipper to dinner and they may accept or choose to stay aboard. If there is no food aboard and you do not want your skipper to come with you then you can give them ‘pocket money’ so that they can pop in to their favourite local haunt. They’ll only ever be a phone call away should you need them.

What does the skipper do in the evening?

Again, that’s entirely up to you as every group is different and interacts with with people in different ways. Rest assured our skippers are professionals who are comfortable at meeting new people and adept at reading different social situations.

If you invite your skipper to be part of the fun in the evening they may accept or choose to stay on the yacht and wait for your return. You may find that your skipper is an early riser who bunks down early after a long day’s sailing.

Do we have to tip our skipper?

We do recommend and it is customary that you tip your skipper. A guideline amount would be 15-20% of your skipper fee, though as this could encompass quite a range, we leave it at your discretion and ask that you offer the gratuity you think your skipper deserves. We’re sure they’ll add immense value to your charter experience.

Will the skipper speak English?

Our skippers are of mixed nationalities, but all of them will speak English to a level that will mean your holiday is not impeded in any way, and the vast majority will speak excellent English and generally be excellent communicators.

You could have a French national skippering you out in St Martin or find a proud Lancastrian at the helm in Athens. You may find a native Virgin Islander taking you under his wing in Tortola, but all of them will speak English to a more than acceptable level.

How much value does a skipper add?

A fully qualified, commercially endorsed and experienced sailor, with tonnes of local knowledge to share with you. Our skippers will help you benefit from the best places to moor up, eat out and the best times to visit certain places. They can teach you new things about sailing, help you rediscover confidence at the helm, provide an extra pair of hands and handle the heavy lifting for you.

Can we have a skipper for flotilla holidays?

Yes – if you’re new to sailing, want someone else to take care of manoeuvring your yacht, or simply want a helping hand or regional expert aboard, then you can hire a skipper to join you on flotilla. If you’re travelling alone or as a pair, and don’t need the whole yacht to yourselves, you can even charter by the cabin to join a flotilla with a skipper and crew of up to 8 others. Click here or call 1800 803 988 for more information