HELM GUIDE Digital

HELM
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TYPES OF TRIPS
SKIPPERED
If you’re new to sailing or just want to
put your feet up while on holiday, a skippered
charter is the answer.
£5,000 - £20,000 P/W
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Your skipper will be there to meet you and your group when
you check in to your chosen yacht, and be responsible for
sailing you to your chosen destinations for the duration of
your holiday. You can sit back and relax for the entire time or
learn some sailing skills, with the skipper showing you the
ropes.
A skippered yacht charter is more about the holiday than the
sailing. Having someone else at the helm lets you make the
most of everything else a yachting holiday offers – swimming
off the back of the boat, snorkelling, sunbathing on deck or
relaxing in a hammock.
How far you go each day will depend on your itinerary, but on
average the skipper will sail the yacht for three to four hours
a day, stopping for lunch on the way. In the evening, you will
dock at a port or harbour and are free to either eat on board or
go out for dinner.
We provide suggested itineraries for each destination, but
you are welcome to adapt these as you please. Our advice is
that you sit down with the skipper at the start of your trip and
work out your preferred route. Also, if you have any specific
ideas for activities – such as trying out water sports or visiting
places of interest en route – just ask the skipper and he can
advise on where to go.
WHERE CAN I SAIL?
Skippered yachts are available at all our destinations, from
the Mediterranean to the British Virgin Islands, the Caribbean
and Thailand.
WHAT SORT OF YACHT
SHOULD I OPT FOR?
Your skipper will sleep on board with you, so you will need
to allocate them a cabin. Otherwise, the type of yacht you
choose is up to you. Your HELM broker will offer tailored
recommendations based on your group and any specific
requests you have.
SHOULD I ADD A HOSTESS
TOO?
A skippered charter is a self-catered holiday, so you will need
to buy enough provisions for your group and the skipper. These
will include food, drink, cleaning products and toilet rolls.
If you’d like a hand with the catering, you can add a hostess.
They will keep your yacht clean, prepare drinks and snacks as
well as help with the shopping. A hostess would prepare two
light meals a day (usually breakfast and lunch) as well as two
dinners during the trip. Bear in mind they too will need their
own cabin.
The skipper is a qualified sailor whose job is to take care of
the sailing and make your holiday as enjoyable and relaxing
as possible, allowing you to join in with as much or as little
hands-on sailing as you wish.
This guide will hopefully answer all your skipper-related
questions.
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WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT
ON A SKIPPERED YACHT
CHARTER?
CHOICE OF STUNNING DESTINATIONS
• Freedom to create your own itinerary
• Chance to relax on board and leave the sailing to a
professional
• An opportunity to learn some sailing basics under
instruction from the skipper
• Inside knowledge from a local expert who can take you
to the best beaches and secluded bays
• Privacy
WHO ARE THE SKIPPERS?
Our skippers are professional sailors. They have excellent local
knowledge, so can make recommendations on where to go
and what to see. This gives you a huge advantage – they know
where the best spot is for a tranquil lunch in a secluded bay
and the best restaurants in town when you dock at night. They
will even book you a table.
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ANYTHING ELSE TO BE
AWARE OF?
The skipper is there to sail the boat and will always respect
your privacy. That said, in our experience, our guests form a
genuine bond with the skipper during their holiday and are
often sad to say goodbye!
Tipping is customary but not obligatory. It is greatly
appreciated by the skipper and hostess, who will consistently
go above and beyond to make you happy. We generally
recommend 5-15% of the charter price.
EXPLORE SKIPPERED OPTIONS
For more advice on creating your perfect sailing
holiday, email us at hello@helm.yt or phone
(+44) 0207 632 7567