There’s no getting away from it, fuel prices are creeping up again.
Whether it’s filling up the car, running a generator, or planning a weekend away, the cost of getting from A to B is starting to feel… a bit excessive.
But out on the water?
It’s a different story.
One of the simplest (and most satisfying) things about sailing is this:
You don’t rely on fuel to get around
Once the sails are up and trimmed, you’re powered by the wind, quietly, efficiently, and completely independently of fuel costs.
-No watching the gauge.
-No calculating range.
-No worrying about what it’ll cost to top up at the end of the weekend.
Just wind, water, and time well spent.
When fuel is expensive, every mile in a car or motorboat can feel like it needs to be justified.
Sailing flips that on its head.
You can:
• Take the long way round (because why not?)
• Drift into a quiet anchorage for lunch
• Spend the afternoon sailing just for the sake of it
It’s not about how quickly you get somewhere, it’s about enjoying the journey.
And when the journey itself doesn’t cost you more with every mile, it changes everything.
Think about a typical weekend trip:
-Fuel to get there.
-More fuel while you’re there.
-And then fuel to get home again.
It adds up quickly.
With sailing, the experience is the destination.
A weekend on the water might look like:
• Leaving the marina and switching the engine off as soon as you can
• Sailing across the Solent with nothing but wind in the sails
• Dropping anchor somewhere peaceful for the evening
• Watching the sun go down from the cockpit
No queues.
No traffic.
No fuel bill ticking up in the background.
If you’re thinking “this sounds great, but I don’t sail”, that’s not a barrier.
You can still enjoy the experience with a skipper on board, so you can relax and take it all in without needing any prior experience.
It’s one of the easiest ways to step into something completely different—without the usual complications.
Longer days, lighter evenings, and a bit more warmth in the air—this is when sailing really starts to feel good again.
And with fuel prices where they are?
It’s never made more sense.
If you’re thinking about a weekend away—but want something that feels more like an escape (and less like a logistics exercise), sailing might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Explore Solent charters →
https://www.yacht-charter.co.uk/
Chartered 37 Hallberg Rassy for a weekend mid Jan. Booking process and communication prior to booking was friendly and informative. The yacht was immaculate and had everything we needed for the weekend. Simple check out process, lots of information provided in the personal review of the yacht. Returning the yacht was just as simple and the security deposit was refunded within 3 days. Highly recommended, we will be returning customers.
Hi, I've chartered bareboats from Hamble Point Yacht Charters on a number of occasions - mostly weekends, working my way through their fleet of yachts. Really friendly people, swift to respond. Boats are always in good condition, ready to sail. Their location makes it easy to get to the Solent swiftly. Highly recommended
We comprised a group of 5 friends; Chartering Kasara, a well appointed Halberg Rassy 36, for a long weekend, taking part in the Round Table Area 45 Presidents Rally. The boat was clean and ready for our arrival, and we were away in good time, she sailed well and when we returned on the Sunday evening the hand back was quick and easy. We all agreed we had had a great time, and would charter again in the future
Just a quick one to say thanks for all your help over last couple of years which has been leading up to me getting my Yachtmaster Offshore award. First rate service both on the sailing school and chartering side. Looking forward to taking more boats out and going on other sailing ventures with you guys next year! Finally, just to say that the examiner was outstanding as an Examiner. Really friendly chap and really wanted me to pass. Would also help in giving tuition about alternative ways of doing things after I had completed a manoeuvre.
Just a quick one to say thanks for all your help over last couple of years which has been leading up to me getting my Yachtmaster Offshore award. First rate service both on the sailing school and chartering side. Looking forward to taking more boats out and going on other sailing ventures with you guys next year! Finally, just to say that the examiner was outstanding as an Examiner. Really friendly chap and really wanted me to pass. Would also help in giving tuition about alternative ways of doing things after I had completed a manoeuvre.
August 2019. We had an excellent sailing trip around the Solent, staying at a different mooring each day, sometimes in marinas, sometimes on mooring buoys. Hamble Point Yacht Charters was a perfect choice for us. Their location at the mouth of the Hamble river is absolutely ideal, giving immediate access to the central part of the Solent. The company is super efficient and very friendly, and they provided an outstanding service. The boat was in good condition, clean and eveything working. We have chartered with them a couple of times now and we will be back!
It’s been a pleasure dealing with you and your team. Very professional, hassle-free, helpful, pleasant and well equipped boat. Just need to upgrade the spinnaker equipment [for eVent]. The rental of good quality weather gear is an excellent idea, very convenient for those travelling from abroad. Finally, the possibility to redeliver the boat until noon on the last day, was highly appreciated. Wishing you a good summer season and will definitely consider a Solent repeat charter with your company.
As usual excellent service from the team at Hamble Point Yacht Charters. This must be about the 7th or 8th time and always great! Finally made a visit to Chichester and had a great time there and back. Technical problem with the boat in Cowes heading back but no big deal. All sorted out with Sea Start...
Just returned from a 1 week bareboat charter of Aeolus. The service through researching the options in October, where I popped in whilst in the area to view available boats, through the booking process and the charter itself was great. This particular boat may not be the newest on the water but is maintained to a high standard and allowed us a wonderful week crossing the channel to Fecamp and Honfleur before returning for a couple of days in the Solent. Nothing was too much trouble for HPYC and as a regular charterer around the UK and Europe the efficiency Continue Reading
We sailed overnight to Alderney onboard Abraxas, which is a First 40.7. Initially in strong winds we made excellent progress and for the last couple of hours motored in no wind. This boat is good for passage making if you have an experienced crew happy to handle the large main sail.
The boat and equipment was in good order. We learnt a huge amount in a friendly and fun environment. I wouldn't hesitate to use HPYC for training or charters in the future.
The boat and equipment was in good order. We learnt a huge amount in a friendly and fun environment. I wouldn't hesitate to use HPYC for training or charters in the future.
Friendly welcome. All staff helpful. Relaxed atmosphere. Instructors gave clear explanations of safety equipment and how to perform tasks expected of crew. Very tolerant of mistakes made. Encouraged us to be more independent as the week went by to help build our confidence. Berthed in a number of different marinas each presenting different issues to consider when berthing. The whole experience was most enjoyable and I feel able to crew for other skippers. Excellent value.
We had a great charter of the yacht Appaloosa from HPYC. The boat was very clean when we boarded her, and was ready for us to board at the agreed time. The staff were very helpful and helped us straight away with any queries.....and my security deposit return was confirmed very quickly. I will definitely consider chartering from HPYC again!
When asked what they thought of HPYC and the day we provided for them: "Excellent"! Everything, as always, was excellent!