If you’re a yachting enthusiast, you’ll know that summer is perhaps the best time of year to get out and really make the most of your boat. While your love of sailing can easily take you out onto the water at any time of year, the summer offers an excellent opportunity to get out there and enjoy everything Mother Nature has to offer.
You can top up your tan, practice your fishing, and enjoy some meaningful moments with family, all while refining your yachting skills. If you’re planning on making the most of your yacht with a few travel sessions this summer, here are some tips you can follow to ensure you have an amazing time.
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Always Plan Ahead
Any yachting expert knows there are few things more important to any sailing trip than proper planning. Before you set sail, it’s crucial to make sure you have the right plan in place. Ask yourself where you’re planning on going, and make sure you chart a course (as well as a back-up route in case something goes wrong). Based on your itinerary, make sure you have the right documentation available, such as passports, and boat registration documents, just in case.
Planning ahead will also help you to ensure you can prepare your yacht for your needs. If you’re going to be hiring a boat, make sure it’s big enough to accommodate you and your guests, and that you know your way around all of the components. If you’re taking your own yacht out on the open water, make sure it’s cosy, comfortable, and stylish with some furniture from Wickenroy Pavitt.
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Be Prepared with the Essentials
Once you have your boat prepared, and you know exactly where your adventure is going to take you, it’s time to do some packing. In general, it’s best to pack light for a yachting trip, but you’ll still need to ensure you have all the essentials. Plan your outfits around the weather forecasts you’re expecting, but make sure you bring some extra clothes, just in case the sunshine doesn’t last.
Alongside the right clothing, it’s important to ensure you’re stocked up with other necessary accessories and tools too. Fill your bags with sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and extra fresh water, in case you’re thirsty on your trip. Make sure you have rope, life jackets, flares, and fire extinguishers all ready to go on your boat too, in case of an emergency.
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Take Extra Steps to Stay Safe
Safety is always important on a yachting trip. Before you start travelling, make sure both you and your passengers know how to avoid any issues on your boat. Teach your loved ones how to stay safe on deck, and print out a list of rules for them to follow if necessary. It might also be a good idea to take an extra sailing lesson or two before your journey, so you can increase your confidence.
Practicing using your yacht before you begin a longer journey will not only help you to refine your skills, but it will also ensure you can check your boat for any issues or faults before you set off. If you notice any problems with your boat’s structure or performance, make sure you get them fixed.
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Consider Some Extra Help
If you’re a confident yachting enthusiast, then you might be more than happy to start your journey without any additional support. However, if you’re new to the open waves, you might want some extra help. You can consider joining a yacht club and taking some extra lessons before you set your course, or even think about working with a reputable yacht charter company so you can hire the right boat for your specific needs. They can even provide you with a crew to help you out.
If you’re travelling to a new destination, you might even think about hiring a local guide to help you out with navigating unfamiliar waters. These guides can also provide valuable insights into attractions, and the local history and culture of your chosen location.
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Have Fun
Finally, if you follow all the tips above, all that’s left to do is enjoy your yachting adventure! Remember, a great yachting experience is all about the journey, not the destination. Take the time to appreciate the scenery, and focus on making memories with your loved ones.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that even the best-planned yachting trips don’t always turn out exactly as you’d expect. Be flexible if things don’t go according to plan. Having a backup strategy in place if you need to adjust your itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances or bad weather could be helpful.