/ 
Choosing your boat
Sailing from anchorage to anchorage on your own, savoring the freedom of being in the middle of nature, can be the goal of your cruise.
This means getting back to tide calculations (except in the Mediterranean) and either optimizing your boat or asking the right questions when chartering on the following subjects:
- boat specifications
- water and diesel capacities
- on-board comfort equipment
- The type of dinghy and engine power needed to reach the shore safely.
In any case, if you're looking for a touch of fun in your vacation, thinking ahead means you can enjoy a cruise without mooring lines or fenders, in complete peace of mind. If you own your own boat, you'll need to plan your moorings and access to them, taking into account your draught and whether or not your boat can run aground.
If you're chartering a sailboat, the choice of boat will depend on your sailing location and schedule. Keelboat, twin keel, ballasted or integral dinghy: whether the anchorages on your route require the boat to run aground or not.
When it comes to anchors, there are several models to choose from, each with its own advantages and special features.
In all cases, your attention should be focused on :
- the nature of the bottom (think of a goldfish if you have any doubts about the nature of the bottom)
- Chain length
- the turning circle in the event of wind or current shifts
To quote the old adage: "Anchor by day, 3 times the height of the bottom, anchor by night 5 times and in bad weather 7 times".
And if your yacht is not equipped with an electric windlass, think ten times before anchoring!
On-board comfort features
When you think of a marina, you often think of sanitary facilities, which means showers. Some boats have showers with water heaters, others don't... Interesting alternatives are readily available to the ingenious: solar shower and/or sprayer (some sprayers are also solar-powered), enabling you to wash at anchor either in the boat's washroom, if a drain is already provided in the bilges, or on deck.
The pontoon also allows you to plug in to electricity, so you can recharge your phone, tablet or computer. Many sailboats are now equipped with 12-volt USB sockets for easy recharging of electronics, and less than an hour's motoring a day is enough to power a service battery if required.
Solar panels, a wind turbine and an inverter are obviously the ideal combo to cover all your electrical needs on board, but are often absent from charter boats.
Landing on land: dinghy, engine and waterproof equipment
Boarding your dinghy to go ashore is more comfortable if your boat has a skirt or stern platform.
The tender must be large enough to carry all crew members, if possible, in a single trip, and the power of the tender motor must be appropriate for both the size of the tender and the weight of the loaded boat.
If the weight of the dinghy and motor becomes too great for the crew to carry, wheels fixed to the transom make it easier to go up and down the beach or slipway, and save your back!
Whether you're going to the beach or out to buy supplies, a waterproof pouch for your phone will keep both hands free and, in the event of a badly closed jacket or trouser pocket, prevent your mobile from falling into the abyss... A waterproof backpack can be added to the pouch, and shopping bags or beach bags usually do the trick.
Bring a padlock to secure your dinghy engine, especially if you're going to be exploring the area for a whole day.
Refuelling and waste management
Well thought-out provisioning means you'll be perfectly self-sufficient. Adding fresh produce (fruit, vegetables and meat or fish) will give you the opportunity to discover local markets and leave the supermarkets and hypermarkets behind for the duration of your vacation.
Plan menus in advance, in consultation with the crew, to limit waste. Opt for tapas, sandwiches or wraps at lunchtime to avoid spending time washing up...
And why not wash your dishes in seawater, using a suitable biodegradable product and just a freshwater rinse, to save precious shore water.
Buying "dry" or basic products (rice, pasta, semolina, flour, lentils, etc.) in bulk allows you to get rid of packaging and limit on-board waste. The products can then be stored in jars or even in glass or plastic juice bottles: easy to store and reusable!
Using a trolling line will definitely make you the hero who caught dinner!
