We have an increasing number of clients enjoying the benefits of taking a local skipper – although they have previously taken bareboats and are more than capable of handling yachts themselves.

We know from experience that skippers are the most important aspect of your holiday, and we take enormous care making sure the right ones are aboard.

Generally they are young, in their 20s and 30s, service-orientated and understand that you need your own space.

In the Mediterranean this is easily achieved as the quay is nearly always just a step away, and they often catch up with their mates ashore.

As a case in point, Andrew Kings just returned from taking his family on a Jeanneau 57 in Sardinia.

Andrew has previously bareboated in New Caledonia and the Mediterranean and it is possible to take the Jeanneau 57 as a bareboat. However, with the family aboard, it was decided to engage a local skipper.

Andrew relayed an insight into the difference it made for his wife Sarah:

It was blowing 25 knots and the large Jeanneau 57 had the gunnels in the water and was screaming along at 10 knots. One of Andrew’s children, noticing the relaxed smile on Mum’s face, said “Dad you know if the skipper wasn’t here Mum would be telling us to reduce sail and slow down!”

Andrew also enjoyed leaving the dock straight away with a briefing given en route. Larger vessels such as those with generators, airconditioning and water makers take a significant amount of time to understand in a bareboat briefing.

The lack of responsibility to navigate and berth the yacht, as well as access to local knowledge, are just some of the advantages available if you wish to make use of a local skipper.

At around $200 per day, we believe a skipper also offers a great sailing lesson as they are always happy to impart their knowledge and skills.

We’re not recommending that all of you take a skipper, but in many circumstances they can really add to your overall holiday experience.