Motor Yacht Charters & Holidays
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is powerboating experience required?
- We want to keep Sienna in superb condition so we ask for a good standard of ability and experience on similar boats.
We require 3 years' experience or if you have paper qualifications and at least an ICC or Day Skipper Practical and two years' sailing experience as a minimum. We know many people have never taken any formal qualifications and still sail to a high standard, so please tell us what you have had when you enquire about a booking
- What is included in your charter?
- Your boat is supplied with diesel fuel and water tanks filled, and is fully cleaned ready to go.
You will be required to re-fill the tanks or pay a charge for fuel useage once you have disembarked for good.
All boats have crockery and cutlery, pots and pans and a wide selection of safety and navigational equipment
An operating manual and paper and electronic charts of the south coast and Channel Islands are also supplied.
Lifejackets, lifering, fire extinguishers and fire blanket are supplied as required by local licensing laws. Sienna is MCA coded for charter.
The equipment supplied is detailed in the specification sheet.
The yacht is moored permanently at Shamrock Quay marina where security coded access allows guests to use the shore side toilet and shower facilities. A washing machine and dryer are also available.
If you wish to book for London we will also require a mooring fee to cover costs of sailing from our home port to St Katherines Dock at Tower bridge. This is weather dependent.
Secure car parking is always available onsite
A Security Deposit is required when you take over the yacht. Any damage or losses will be deducted from this deposit on the boat's return. We will also deduct fuel costs once the boat is returned if you have not filled her before you leave. The deposit does not limit your liability if severe structural damage occurs to the boat due to negligence or lack of knowledge. Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully.
Sienna cannot be used for any commercial activity or sub-let to another party.
Sienna has a fully comprehensive insurance including public indemnity and third party liability.
- What do you need to bring?
- You need all your personal items for washing, towels and tea towels and sailing clothing. Bedding is provided. Flat soled deck shoes or sailing Wellingtons to ensure the decks do not get black marks on them. If you haven't got them please contact us or you can purchase some from the onsite chandlers - Shamrock Marine.
- Is Sienna fully equiped?
- Yes. She is MCA coded and carries the latest electronic navigational equipment including a Raytheon E120 Chartplotter / Radar with 12 inch colour screens and all charts. She has both fixed and hand held VHF radio's, flares and a set of lifejackets for 6 adults to 150N.
The master cabin has a flat screen TV and radio and you can watch both TV and the charts from the comfort of your bunk if you wish. There is a stereo, fridge, icemaker, cooker and BBQ grill as well as sunbeds (fore and aft) and ample cutlery and crockery. There is a power sunroof in the main wheelhouse. Sienna has a blue hull and white superstructure. She was built in 2006 and launched in 2007.
Her engines are Volvo Penta IPS 500 x 2. They are electronically managed and have the full servo assist joystick controls. She also has a bow thruster
There is a 6 person life-raft on board and EPRIB.
Sienna is equipped with an Eberspacher heater and one double berth master cabin with en-suite shower and WC and a twin cabin also with WC and sink. She sleeps 4 comfortably and is an ideal family boat.
Sienna does not come with a tender.
- Are we liable for any damage above the security deposit limit?
- The security deposit is intended to deal with any minor breakages or damage caused by misuse or loss during the charter. If you cause considerable damage to the yacht, due to grounding or misuse, you will be liable for the full cost of repair.
When do we get the security deposit back?
The deposit is taken in the form of credit/debit card details at the start of the charter. We do not actually take cash from the account unless we have discussed any loss or breakage with you. Each boat is checked on return and we normally contact you the following day if there is anything wrong or missing.
- Do we have to clean and refill the boat when we return it?
- Yes
Fuel charges are made at the cost of re-filling - which we will provide evidence for plus £100 charge for time regardless of the amount of fuel required.
- What if the boat is returned unclean and/or empty ?
- We charge £350 to clean the boat if it is excessively dirty on its return. This will be taken from the security deposit. We are particularly bothered about black marks on the decks and upholstery marks due to the wrong footwear being used or spillages. Please ensure your crew are careful and they are suitably equipped.
- What are the weather conditions like?
- The English Channel is one of nature's great waterways and we cannot guarantee what the weather will be like on any given day.
There are usually options no matter how bad the weather is up to about Force 5 when we insist that the boats are kept in harbour.
There are regular updates on TV, Radio and at the harbour / marina office so there should be no problems encountered during your holiday. You can also listen in to the Coastguard forecast each day on Ch16.
For British sailors we recommend a copy of MacMillans Guide. For overseas sailors please contact your local chandlers for information.
Please note that Southampton has 2 tides daily and they are not to be ignored.
- Where can we go?
- That is your decision but we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the local area and waters first.
In Southampton you can go along the quaysides and there are often huge cruise liners to see or tall ships.
Along the river is Ocean Village and further afield you can moor in Cowes on the Isle of Wight or Portsmouth, Lymington, Beaulieu, Chichester or Poole.
The marina is just outside the city centre so there is plenty of nightlife and in the local area there is the New Forest to explore or many of the local attractions from Manor Farm - ideal for kids - to Spinnaker tower and the shopping at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth (you can moor here by prior arrangement with the harbour and shop in style).
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