February 2016 - Devon Sailing Experiences

Feb 28

For Bespoke Yacht Charter, Plymouth is the place to be

By Katie Core Info

This is not your typical bespoke yacht charter, Plymouth. Just look at these chaps slaving away over their charts as they undertake Yachtmaster preparations! With a DSE bespoke yacht charter, Plymouth offers excellent sailing grounds for them to hone their skills.

As part of their course, they will be expected to pick up mooring buoys under sail – the Tamar makes an ideal spot to develop this skill (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Tamar). Close-quarter sailing can be effectively developed in the Plymouth Sound – it is buzzing with boats of all types all year round, so it also makes it an ideal location to develop night navigation. With a DSE yacht charter, Plymouth offers a number of local marinas for crew to improve their marina handling skills. See http://www.kingpointmarina.co.uk/ or http://www.mayflowermarina.co.uk/ or http://www.yachthavens.com/plymouth/ to name just a few. Throughout their training, these students will also be expected to demonstrate how they keep their yacht and their crew safe at all times.

You will be pleased to know that it isn’t all work, work, work! With a comfortable, heated yacht to relax on after an active day on the water, the students are able to unwind – perhaps watch a DVD (there are TVs and a selection of DVDs on board our yachts) or visit one of the local pubs.

To find out how Devon Sailing Experiences can arrange your bespoke yacht charter from Plymouth, contact us on 01752 424 514 or email info@devonsailingexperiences.co.uk.

Feb 15

Charter yachts are ready for re-launch

By Katie Core Info

Good news for those who like to charter yachts early in the sailing season. Following on from her recent routine maintenance schedule, our Jeanneau 409 (Bewitched) is due to return to the water on Wednesday 17^th February.

For those choosing to charter yachts from us in Devon, you know you will be in safe hands after her recent yearly overhaul. Queen Anne’s Battery (QAB) hosted her during her maintenance period (http://www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/mdl-queen-annes-battery)

And just in case you were wondering how Nick and his team did it with the recent gales and seemingly non-stop rain, believe it or not, there were a few dry spells – cold, but nevertheless, dry!

Our Jeanneau 36i, Spellbound, follows her big sister into the water with her re-launch on Wednesday 9^th March. Her overhaul included: sail repairs, rig check, new spray hood, polishing and a coat of wax. Maintenance for this charter yacht was carried out at Dartside Quay in Galmpton Creek (http://www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/mdl-dartside-quay)

Both of our yachts also have brand new Almanacs on board and the life rafts have received their annual service.

If you have never thought to charter yachts in Devon before, it is worth noting that many of our past customers have commented on the fact that sailing along the south west coasts makes a refreshing change from their usual sailing ground. The coastline is particularly beautiful with many areas of outstanding natural beauty. Also, when you charter yachts from Plymouth, most destinations (see http://www.devonsailingexperiences.co.uk/devon-sailing/ ) are sailable within a day, even in more challenging conditions: it is always good to know that when sailing during the colder off-season, there is likely to be a good, local pub with a warm welcome and open fire on the go.

Both of our charter yachts (which have onboard heating – ideal if you like to charter yachts during the off-season) are available for bare boat hire. You can check out our prices, which we believe are very competitive, on http://www.devonsailingexperiences.co.uk/bare-boat-charter/