For us land-dwellers, the word "cruise" often evokes lounging on a cruise ship or a luxury yacht. But for sailors, this nostalgic image comes with a few nuances. Hands in the grease, torn sails, and all sorts of damage make for the popular stories on "pontoon radios" or evenings at sailors' bars. Does this type of experience during vacation really make sense? The answer is yes, if we are to believe the sailing enthusiasts. Mishaps quickly swept away by the memories of long surfs in the swell of the open sea, sunsets at sea, dolphin visits, freshly caught fish, or the discovery of new horizons.
The great journey
Small cruising sailboats are also excellent platforms to get hands-on experience before venturing further. If the desire arises to see what the vast world looks like, you'll need a larger sailboat that can withstand rough weather without flinching. From this perspective, a 12-meter boat is sufficient for a world tour. Then comes the question of space on board. For a family trip with four or five people aboard, it's nice to have a fourth cabin. This could also serve as a workshop, "office," or extra storage space. After that, the choice of the itinerary will depend on the time available. One year is more than enough for a tour of the Atlantic, while two years (preferably three) is the minimum for a world tour. Enough to gather memories for a lifetime?
Sailing School
To make this dream a reality, it is always advisable to go through a sailing school.
Indeed, it is the best way to gain autonomy without wasting time. Sailing with friends is often less productive because it is dedicated to leisure time. Moreover, a skipper, even one skilled in navigation, might not necessarily be a good teacher. Adding to this the probable tensions between friends or family members, you get a frustrating blocking situation for all participants. Finally, the gaps in learning "among friends" usually stick for life and can one day cost a lot. The solution: go learn elsewhere and gain experience to return as a winner!
Later, you’ll be able to sail with friends, relaxed and confident.
Coastal Cruise
When you have limited vacation time, the most appropriate option for a cruise is boat rental. The main advantage of this formula is the possibility to explore different playgrounds from one year to the next. In the summer, the Mediterranean remains very popular, with classic destinations such as Corsica, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, or the Balearic Islands. Those who are allergic to crowds will prefer to go off-season or try to get off the beaten track. Northern Europe, for example, offers less sunshine than the Mediterranean, but this disadvantage is often compensated by the quality of interactions with local populations, inversely proportional to the volume of tourist traffic. The white sandy beaches of northern Scotland, the fjords of Norway, the islands of Denmark, or the coasts of Ireland are just a few regions to explore with guaranteed change of scenery.
These regions, however, are quite technical in terms of navigation. If you don't feel up to the challenge, it's better to hire a skipper to avoid stress and fully enjoy the journey.
Tropical waters also offer many possibilities, especially during the winter season for the Caribbean, which remains one of the paradises of sailing, along with Polynesia.
Another option is buying a sailboat. This can be an interesting solution if you sail for more than three weeks a year. A great way to head out on a whim, take advantage of a weather window, meet people, and leave without accountability. A 9 to 10-meter sailboat is enough for coastal cruising as a couple or with four people, with reduced operating costs. Small boat, small problems—less maintenance cost, better maneuverability, and thus more opportunities to easily head out.
My first is one of the most beautiful cities in France.
My second is the largest marina in Europe.
My third is in the heart of the sunniest navigation area on the Atlantic coast.
My fourth is a major place for consuming oysters, mussels, and rosé wine from the island of Ré, not to mention the fries.
All of these make up a single city that you’ve probably already heard of.
As you’ve guessed, a boat rental in La Rochelle, for example, for a weekend or a cruise, will allow you to enjoy both great tourist attractions and an extremely dynamic and varied nautical sector.
For us land-dwellers, the word "cruise" often evokes lounging on a cruise ship or a luxury yacht. But for sailors, this nostalgic image comes with a few nuances. Hands in the grease, torn sails, and all sorts of damage make for the popular stories on "pontoon radios" or evenings at sailors' bars. Does this type of experience during vacation really make sense? The answer is yes, if we are to believe the sailing enthusiasts. Mishaps quickly swept away by the memories of long surfs in the swell of the open sea, sunsets at sea, dolphin visits, freshly caught fish, or the discovery of new horizons.
The great journey
Small cruising sailboats are also excellent platforms to get hands-on experience before venturing further. If the desire arises to see what the vast world looks like, you'll need a larger sailboat that can withstand rough weather without flinching. From this perspective, a 12-meter boat is sufficient for a world tour. Then comes the question of space on board. For a family trip with four or five people aboard, it's nice to have a fourth cabin. This could also serve as a workshop, "office," or extra storage space. After that, the choice of the itinerary will depend on the time available. One year is more than enough for a tour of the Atlantic, while two years (preferably three) is the minimum for a world tour. Enough to gather memories for a lifetime?
Sailing School
To make this dream a reality, it is always advisable to go through a sailing school.
Indeed, it is the best way to gain autonomy without wasting time. Sailing with friends is often less productive because it is dedicated to leisure time. Moreover, a skipper, even one skilled in navigation, might not necessarily be a good teacher. Adding to this the probable tensions between friends or family members, you get a frustrating blocking situation for all participants. Finally, the gaps in learning "among friends" usually stick for life and can one day cost a lot. The solution: go learn elsewhere and gain experience to return as a winner!
Later, you’ll be able to sail with friends, relaxed and confident.
Coastal Cruise
When you have limited vacation time, the most appropriate option for a cruise is boat rental. The main advantage of this formula is the possibility to explore different playgrounds from one year to the next. In the summer, the Mediterranean remains very popular, with classic destinations such as Corsica, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, or the Balearic Islands. Those who are allergic to crowds will prefer to go off-season or try to get off the beaten track. Northern Europe, for example, offers less sunshine than the Mediterranean, but this disadvantage is often compensated by the quality of interactions with local populations, inversely proportional to the volume of tourist traffic. The white sandy beaches of northern Scotland, the fjords of Norway, the islands of Denmark, or the coasts of Ireland are just a few regions to explore with guaranteed change of scenery.
These regions, however, are quite technical in terms of navigation. If you don't feel up to the challenge, it's better to hire a skipper to avoid stress and fully enjoy the journey.
Tropical waters also offer many possibilities, especially during the winter season for the Caribbean, which remains one of the paradises of sailing, along with Polynesia.
Another option is buying a sailboat. This can be an interesting solution if you sail for more than three weeks a year. A great way to head out on a whim, take advantage of a weather window, meet people, and leave without accountability. A 9 to 10-meter sailboat is enough for coastal cruising as a couple or with four people, with reduced operating costs. Small boat, small problems—less maintenance cost, better maneuverability, and thus more opportunities to easily head out.
My first is one of the most beautiful cities in France.
My second is the largest marina in Europe.
My third is in the heart of the sunniest navigation area on the Atlantic coast.
My fourth is a major place for consuming oysters, mussels, and rosé wine from the island of Ré, not to mention the fries.
All of these make up a single city that you’ve probably already heard of.
As you’ve guessed, a boat rental in La Rochelle, for example, for a weekend or a cruise, will allow you to enjoy both great tourist attractions and an extremely dynamic and varied nautical sector.