Frequently Asked Questions
With Freestyle Spirit, once you have decided to charter your vessel, she is yours to make use of for the day, in consultation with your skipper. That is of course the beauty of chartering your own vessel.
Your skipper will ultimately be responsible for your charter, the vessel and you and your guests. However, the skipper is tasked to maximise your charter experience.
Whilst perfect weather can never be guaranteed, the degree to which fine, hot, sunny weather is likely can influence your planning. Whilst in the height of summer good weather might be almost certain, in the spring or the autumn it may be best to assume a pleasant but not overly hot day. (Should the weather deteriorate on the day, your itinerary can always be re-planned on the spot with your skipper).
In general if hot weather is fairly certain, you may want to plan for a greater proportion of your time to be spent at anchor in one of the bays along the Solent, relaxing on board, sipping drinks in the cockpit, lounging and sunbathing on the sun-beds aboard the yacht, listening to the lapping of the water or swimming from the stern. Conversely if hot weather is unlikely then a greater proportion of your time may be spent ashore, walking around the villages and ports of the area in a local restaurant or pub, and cruising when the weather allows.
The Solent is a well protected water area and Freestyle Spirit a substantial vessel, so only extreme weather may compromise your day.
If all aboard are used to sailing and if your guests have indicated they are not troubled by the motion of the vessel, then your day might include more time spent in open waters, and the likelihood of some choppy water should not deter your plans. If, however, several of them are trying boating for the first time, or are nervous of choppy conditions it may be best to keep to sheltered waters along Southampton Water or the Solent. Planning your itinerary so that all your guests are comfortable with the likely conditions is a key factor in putting a successful day together.
Many people enjoy the exhilaration of cruising; being on the move, the breeze in their hair, watching the wake thrown out behind the vessel as she cuts through the water, But others enjoy this pure pleasure for only a short time and prefer to use the yacht as a means of transport to reach a picturesque harbour, or as a home for the day on which to lounge and sunbathe. Planning the right amount of time on the move and balancing it with enough time anchored or moored up can be the key to getting your day just right.
Wandering through the bustle and buzz of some of the major towns and ports of the Solent area may appeal to your guests. Or they may be envisaging a day away from the crowds, your day spent in the peaceful quiet of a secluded bay or river. Plan this aspect carefully and they will remember the day as fulfilling their own fantasies.
The commonest mistake our guests make when planning their day is to try to pack in too much, so the timetable seems to control the day. The temptation to visit three different harbours, fit in a quick swim-stop, sail quickly up a river and then and motor around as much of the Solent area as possible can lead to a rushed and overly hectic day. The less you try to fit in, the more your guests will relax and go with the flow, feeling that a leisurely day of luxury has passed at a lazy pace, allowing relaxation to be the key to the day.
The charter cost will include Freestyle Spirit, her skipper and hostess, coffee or tea and pastries on arrival, and sandwiches and beer during the day.
You can upgrade the drinks package and likewise the feasting for lunch and evening meals. The cost will be added to your charter costs.
What else you want us to provide depends on your wishes.
Should you plan a simple informal day then the above might be all you require.
Some guests may prefer to lunch ashore. For major events, available restaurants may be difficult to find and book.
Once you have booked your day of luxury, we can tailor the food and drink arrangements to suit your preference.
We all know the unpredictability of the British weather, and forecasters do get it wrong. If the weather is predicted to be hot and dry, loose fitting clothes, swim suits, towels, goggles, sun glasses, hat and sun cream will be a good start. But always pack a sweater and a water proof jacket because it's always cooler on the coast and at sea, and there is sometimes spray when the boat is underway.
Be conscious that even in spring and autumn, the sun can burn, so sun cream and a long sleeved shirt is always important.
Sensible trainers/ soft shoes are a must, ideally not black soled.
The boat has a roof which can be open to provide the Freestyle Spirit experience, but can also be closed to protect guests from the wind.
The boat has two cabins where guests can change and use the toilets.
A boat is an unforgiving environment for some disabilities, so please consider this prior to booking your charter. Whilst the skipper will advise and assist wherever possible, group leaders must notify the skipper at the earliest opportunity if any of their party has any form of disability - this is for the individual's safety, and the smooth running of the trip.
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