Sail with us

Our 'Sail with Us' programme gives you the opportunity to experience the cruising lifestyle without the high cost and experience necessary of yacht ownership!
Our programmes are structured, but flexible - ensuring you gain an overall appreciation of all aspects of life aboard.
Or we can focus on areas of particular interest to you such as navigation, passage planning, emergency/safety procedures; or perhaps you would like to learn more about provisioning and immigration procedures.
We also ensure plenty of free-time allowing you to experience and explore the natural, cultural and historic sites within the cruising region.

We do not offer formal certification to any organisation; however as a qualified AYF Yachtmaster Instructor and RYA/DOT offshore yachtmaster Bruce can guide you through the neccessary skills aquisition process, and help prepare you for any formal assessments you may wish to take in the future.

Maybe you have limited sailing experience, or are keen to learn something new. If you already have the qualifications but feel you need some time on practical application, this is the perfect setting to brush up on your skills, whilst living aboard in tropical paradise.

Or perhaps you are considering working in the marine or charter industry, and want to gain some real-time experience or sea-miles.
Maybe you are thinking about taking up cruising yourself sometime, and would like a more detailed look at what the liveaboard lifestyle involves.

Regardless of your objectives, you will play an active part in the operation of the boat whilst you are aboard, sharing in all common tasks. These could range from standing watches, navigation and sail trimming whilst underway, routine preventative maintanence, through to managing the galley and re-provisioning at the local village once at anchor.
There are always some jobs to do whilst in port as well as when at sea but otherwise your time is your own - whether on or off the boat - to spend as you wish.

What to bring

Willow is well equipped with medical and safety gear (see Technical Specifications page), but we would recommend you bring personal light wet-weather gear & sun-protection - sun glasses are essential. You should include a comfortable excess of any personal medications, but please ensure you bring a copy of the prescription for any drugs that you carry. Many countries in Asia carry the death penalty for illegal drugs and we will not tolerate recreational drugs onboard.

Light weight clothing is necessary for the tropics, and long-sleeved or long-legged items can be good protection against both the sun and any mosquitoes - and are also useful cover-ups when visiting temples or other sensitve areas. Sarongs make for flexible boating attire; otherwise dress-code on land is usually very casual.

This is an in-and-around the water activity - socks and shoes dont work aboard, but you may want to protect your feet from rocks and sharp shells etc whilst in the water. TEVA-style action sandals work best here, and a pair of cross-trainer style joggers/trainers/sneakers (depending on your continent!) should take care of any longer walking you may do.

A pair of sailing gloves for handling lines and halyards makes things comfortable if you are not accustomed to this type of work.
Your fun in the water will be maximised with a personal mask, snorkel and fins - they need to fit well and be comfortable. We have 'standard' sizes on board.
A sports towel and a personal small torch can also be useful; a headlight can be very handy if you have one.

Dont bring a hard suitcase - a soft bag or rucksack is more suitable for stowage, and you might want to consider a small backpack for both land and water-borne excursions from the boat.
Be careful about what else you bring as all your kit will be in your cabin with you!

Often people join us with limited sailing experience. We are happy to answer any specific queries you may have regarding life aboard.

Costs

Two different cost structures give flexibility to your budget.

Charting the yacht for private use (max 4 adults) at Euro 400 per day, gives you the flexibility of destinations and scheduling. This includes diving. (SEE EXCLUSIONS BELOW)

''Sail with Us" trips usually run outside of the key charter season, with more fixed destinations and schedules.
Here costs are per berth - 2 double berths available, one of which splits to two single berths; and depend on the trip duration and location of travel.

Either way, this includes your berth, bath and bedlinen, all meals taken on-board, unlimited tea, coffee and cordial or filtered water, fuel & berthing fees, use of on-board amenities.

Tuition and training materials (videos, test books, manuals etc) for certified course are specific to what you may decide to do whilst aboard, and thus NOT INCLUDED in the cost of your berth.
Let us know what course you might be interested in, and we can advise on these costs separately.

Note: exclusions are personal toiletries, travel/medical insurance, visas/permits, marine park fees,personal costs incurred whilst ashore, alcohol and your travel costs to and from the yacht.

Sounds like you...

If this sounds like you, and you would like to join Willow to sample the lifestyle whilst cruising through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world; then contact us now (see Contact Us page) to discuss your own ideas, see what programmes we have planned, and to check on available berths!