Our sailing holidays is, for most of us, a very important period of the year! We spent our winter dreaming, planning, organizing, waiting for summer and we do not wish to be disappointed at the end of the day!
All sailors know that many things can go wrong during a sailing trip, but we can always try to avoid problems paying a little bit of attention in a few points, more or less important, like the following:
- It is important to understand and agree with the charter party before you sign it and pay any down payment. Do not hesitate to ask anything you need to know about the service you are going to buy. Try to make clear all the point of the agreement between you and the charter company. Avoiding misunderstanding you avoid disappointment!
- During embarkation, follow carefully the check in procedure. Be sure that you have understood everything about the boat and make as more questions as you can. Before you sign the delivery statement, check that the engine and all devices work properly, that the safety equipment is complete and that you have written down on your statement all possible previous damages that you my find.
- Study well your cruising area. Be sure that you are well informed about all the dangerous points (shallow waters, reefs, prevailing winds etc.). Do not rely only on your GPS! Try a little bit of traditional navigation confirming the GPS data!
- Before you start day sailing, check the engine oil and the navigation lights.
- Ask for the weather forecast at the local coast guard office or through channel 16.
- Sail cautiously, without pushing too much the rigging and the sails.
- Approach the ports carefully. Prepare the anchor, the fenders and the mooring ropes before enter the port. Organize your crew for the anchorage.
- Secure your yacht when at anchor. If you spend the night in a bay do not hesitate to dive to have an eye to the anchor’s holding.
- Pay attention to small things (do not through papers in the toilet, turn off the water pump if you run out of water, love your boat as if she were yours !).
- Take care of your crew (heads down while tacking!)
And have a good luck!
