Category Archives: Yachting news

Yachting Industry News

Quarantine sailing quiz!

Test out your sailing knowledge with out quarantine sailing quiz!

If you are like most, you have probably engaged in some form of quiz over the past few weeks so we decided to create our own Sailing Quiz! This goes out to all the yachties out there who are fed up with the football questions! The answers are at the bottom of the page – enjoy!

Q1. How many knots is 10mph?
A) 8.6 B) 9.6 C) 10.6

Q2. What is the correct way to end a radio conversation?
A) Over and out B) Over C) Out

Q3. What is the most common way of mooring in the Mediterranean?
A) Side to B) Stern to C) Bow to

Check out our bareboat sailing yachts!

Q4. On a boat, where would you find the Skeg?
A) Keel B) Boom C) Rudder

Q5. Name the knot pictured below!
A) Reef Knot B) Clove Hitch C) Bowline

Q6. What is the main difference between a Jib and a Genoa?
A) Jibs is a bigger triangle B) A Genoa is larger and passes the mainsail C) The Jib has 2 90 degree right angles.

Q7. In sound signals what do 3 short blasts mean?
A) Turning to Port B) Engines in astern C) I intend to overtake on your port side

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Q8. Name this marker pictured below!
A) Port marker B) West Cardinal C) Isolated danger

Q9. Where would you find the saloon on a yacht?
A) Main communal area on the main deck B) An area in the bathroom (head) B) The attachment to the mast

Q10. The term ‘skipper’ derived from?
A) A dutch word B) Because the captain would skip to the helm C) Many sailors did not know how to spell captain

THE END!

From all of us at Boatbookings, we hope you enjoyed the quiz and we all look forward to getting you out on the water! Please share this quiz with friends and family!

Answers!

  1. A – 8.6
  2. C – Out
  3. B – Stern to
  4. C – Rudder
  5. C – Bowline
  6. B – A genoa is larger and passes the mainsail
  7. B – Engines in astern
  8. B – West Cardinal
  9. A – Main communal area
  10. A – A dutch word

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Sailing songs!

If you are like us, you are probably by now, dreaming of getting out on the water! Unfortunately, there are a few things that need to be cleared up first. In the meantime, kick back, relax and listen to some of our sailing songs on Spotify!

Listen to some classic rock songs, with a sailing twist – trust me, it will have the whole family singing in no time!

Happy couple sailing on a yacht and listening to music online sharing earphones and smiling

Are you planning a charter currently? Are you speaking with your family about some destinations and want to speak to an expert? Give us a call or email – we will gladly explain what options you have available!

Our brokers travel worldwide, visiting bases and yachts, sailing the itineraries and eating at the restaurants that we recommend. There’s no better advice than getting it from someone who’s been!

Got a song for the playlist? Give us an email and we will add it!

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Get to know us – interview series

Get to know Alice from our bareboat team!

Q: When did you first start sailing?

A: I started sailing when I was 11 years old on the South East coast of England – it’s cold, the tides are strong but at least we had a gas stove cooker to make some tea!

Q: Do you have any licenses?

A: Yes, Day skipper, VHF and PB2.

Q: Did you ever think you would end up working in yachting?

A: Nope – I wanted to be a dancer! I went to a dance school, and that is what my degree was in. After I finished, I never wanted to step back into a studio again and found that my real passion is for the sea and yachting.

Q: Favourite thing to cook on a boat?

A: When you’re looking out to sea via the port hatch – there is no other feeling that comes close! Whether you’re on the Amalfi Coast, or in the Ionian, there is something very special about cooking on your boat! For me, it has to be a big bowl of pasta and salad with honey and feta. You can’t beat the comfort food X trying to be healthy food!

Q: Monohulls or Cats?

A: If I was a skipper, it would be a monohull. If I had a group of 5+ people definitely a catamaran with a hired skipper!

Q: Favourite place to sail?
gocek turkey

A: I really love sailing in Turkey – the food and the small towns are so authentic. The scenery is out of this world and there’s normally some great wind. I also love the Ionian – probably because I lived there.

Q: Have you ever been rescued by the coastguard?

A: Yes….twice!

Q: Something you are ashamed to admit?

A: I have never done any dinghy sailing… I was fortunate enough to learn on a 32ft wooden boat. I go by the motto ‘if you can’t make a hot drink on it, I’m not that interested’ haha

Q: What do you enjoy most about working in yachting?

A: To share my passion with other people, especially guests who have never done a yacht charter before.

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Pigs in Paradise

*******The pigs were completely untouched by Hurricane Dorian*******

Broker Alice shares her insight and experience of her time spent swimming with the pigs in the Bahamas.

Pig Beach – what and where?

The Bahamas comprises of over 400 islands. The most popular destination in this island chain that has become the mysterious pig beach. Thanks to social media platforms and to holiday experiences this has become an increasingly popular place to visit. The swimming pigs of the Bahamas are now known as one of the best tourist experiences. An Instagram must is to get a selfie with the swimming pigs.

Stunning wildlife

Nestled at the heart of the Exuma islands at Big Major Cay, a large family of swimming pigs awaits your arrival. Remember to bring some food! The island of Big Major Cay is inhabited only by pigs, there are no humans living on this island. 

As an experience, arriving at the beach is just as surreal as it sounds and one not to be missed on your Bahamas yacht charter. Although there is a lot of wildlife in the Exumas, the pigs are the rarest kind of wildlife known to the ocean.

Pig history: how did they get there?

The increase in ‘pig popularity’ has led to the big question surrounding the swimming piggies- just how did they end up on a beach? Tourists, boat captains, zoologists, and historians ask themselves this question every day.

Pig Myths: the good, the bad and the ugly.

  • The pigs were brought to the island to be eaten by hungry sailors in the late 1700’s. The sailors didn’t manage to catch all of the pigs to eat and created the pig family on the beach.
  • 2- The pigs were the only survivors from a shipwreck and managed to find their swimming capabilities once they were put in the ocean for the first time.
  • 3- The pigs are native to the island and love the beach and sea! They are truly the pigs of paradise. 

The mandatory Pig Selfie in the Exumas

Little piglet in a water at beach on Exuma Bahamas

Team the swimming pigs with other adventures in the Exumas and experience a charter like no other! From wild iguanas, Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane, James Bond’s Thunderball Grotto to Staniel Cay Yacht Club for an unforgettable conch lunch – Get the pigs ticked off the bucket list this summer and charter a yacht in the Exumas with Boatbookings! 

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