The Charter Connection Blog

With spring tides of over 20 feet (40′ tides and 9 kt currents are possible in the popular Channel Islands), steep seas, changeable weather and busy shipping lanes, chartering off the south west coast of England is not for the average Caribbean bareboat charterer. For the experienced sailor with plenty of offshore sailing time, this can however be a truly rewarding cruising ground.

The best time to charter is June through August. The coast is somewhat similar to Maine, with pretty fishing villages and beautiful English countryside, although the temperatures are far less extreme. Summer temperatures are around 65 to 75 degrees, but because of the Gulf Stream, winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, so visitors are often surprised to see palm trees growing on the waterfront. All this in a country considerably further north than any part of the US! Plan to bring plenty of sunscreen, because even on overcast days, sunburn can be a problem due to the clear air.

Bareboat charter companies tend to be small and informal. Be prepared to be asked for documentation of your experience - ask us for guidelines if you are unsure if you would qualify. Yachts tend to be in the 30 to 47 foot range. Unless you plan to explore one area, allow plenty of time so you can wait for a suitable wind direction etc. The Isles of Scilly, off the extreme western tip of Cornwall are a popular destination (we took these pictures in the islands, in early June).
Private yacht charters with a crew are possible, as in the Caribbean or Mediterranean, but most crewed charters in this area tend to be headboats or more casual style yachts where everyone lends a hand. Except for localized charters, almost all are sailboats as the seas tend to be uncomfortable for any motor yachts under 100′.

If we have piqued your interest, contact us at Ed Hamilton & Co for more information. This is not for everyone, but if you love to sail and don’t need the warm Caribbean water, it might just be what you are looking for.

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We crammed the last boat show brochure into our duffel bags and headed for the Marmaris waterfront to join ‘Blue Capricorn’, one of the private yacht charters based in Turkey. Captain Sakin and his crew somehow found space for our luggage, and we motored slowly out of Marmaris Harbor.

Our first stop was an anchorage close to The Dalyan River where we enjoyed a delicious lunch on the aft deck. Meals in Turkey often feature a wide selection of small dishes in the center of the table, known as Meze, where everyone helps themselves. This is then followed by a sensibly sized main course, desert and coffee. We love this style of meal, which is not only healthy but encourages conversation and allows people to linger over their food.

A canopied tender came alongside, to take us on a tour of the Dalyan River, the famous Lycian Tombs and the Roman City of Caunus with its incredible Greek style amphitheater. The tour lasted several hours (you can book half day and full day tours). Our guide grew up in Dalyan and has spent his life studying these sites. He’s the best. Ask us for details.
We returned to Blue Capricorn as the sun set, in time for another wonderful dinner under the stars.

To be continued!

Contact Ed Hamilton & Co - we would be happy to give you more information on this and other crewed charter yachts or bareboat charters in Turkey.

After viewing 50+ charter yachts and over 100 captains, cooks and mates in just four days at The Marmaris Crewed Charter Yacht Show, it’s time for some relaxation. Crewed yacht charters are a unique way to explore this wonderful coastline, and we traveled in style on ‘Blue Capricorn’. We had already picked this yacht as one of the best values of the show and our instincts were right. There are few 90 foot private yacht charters that offer this kind of comfort and level of service for such a reasonable price. In September, which is so much nicer than July and August, 12 guests can charter her for a week for around $1,100 per person, plus expenses, yet because of her layout with two huge master staterooms fore and aft, don’t rule her out as a sumptuous two couple yacht at just over $3,300 per person, plus expenses. She has a traditional motor sailor profile, with enormous flat decks, plenty of sunning space and a large dining table for all those delicious, unhurried, Mediterranean style meals (more on that later).

Look for our next post for a description of the wonderful 3 day charter we had on this yacht, sailing from Marmaris to Gocek along the Turkish Coast.

Contact us - we would be happy to give you more information on this and other charter yachts in Turkey.