Katie

Sailing vouchers can now be purchased from the Red Letter Days sailing website.

Red Letter Days is a well-known internet-based company that sells “experiences” from the adrenaline fuelled to the relaxed. Booking a sail with Red Letter Days couldn’t be easier – this link will take you directly to the site: (https://www.redletterdays.co.uk/experience/ref/dseso/a-sailing-weekend-for-two)

And what a fabulous weekend we spent with our latest guests who purchased sailing vouchers through Red Letter Days. The photo says it all. The sky was blue, the early September sunshine warmed the air, and our guests (both groups from different parts of the country) gelled well. Sailing vouchers for special occasions can be booked directly through our website or through Red Letter Days.

“What can I give to the person who has everything?”

Well, it seems that some of our customers has solved that age-old problem for themselves. An increasing number of our guests have found sailing gift vouchers for birthdays and sailing gift vouchers for anniversaries make the perfect present.

And we have sailing gift voucher options to suit all budgets.

Martin was stuck for a birthday present for his younger brother, Shaun. Being an active kind of guy, Shaun had tried most things, but sailing was not one of them. Our day sail options (http://www.devonsailingexperiences.co.uk/sailing-vouchers-and-short-packages/) allow people to get as much hands-on experience as they are comfortable with, so this turned out to be an ideal birthday gift him.

A couple of our other guests, June and Robert, were the first to admit that they are no longer as active as they used to be. However, when June saw the day sail package for 2 could be as active or as relaxing as they liked, she thought it was the ideal special anniversary gift for her husband. She loved the freshly prepared lunch at anchor at Cawsands (which she washed down with a glass of wine) while her husband happily fished off the back of the boat.

Tony was also looking for a special anniversary gift. His wife, Sandy, had hinted at a romantic night away – he wanted an affordable night away. A gift voucher for one of our weekend sail packages (http://www.devonsailingexperiences.co.uk/sail-dartmouth-salcombe/ ) was the solution for both Sandy and Tony. What can be more romantic than spending two nights on a 40’ yacht and admiring the beautiful coastline that Devon offers?

In our opinion, sailing gift vouchers for birthdays and sailing gift vouchers for anniversaries make the perfect gift for the person who is impossible to buy for. With sailing gift vouchers available directly through us or through the Red Letter Days website, buying a special present for a loved one couldn’t be easier.

“I like the idea of it, but have never tried sailing before and I’m not sure how to get into it.”

If this applies to you or someone you know, Devon Sailing Experiences has the perfect opportunity for you.

Roy, who was new to sailing and is now one of our regular guests, first booked a day sail from Plymouth with exactly that thought in mind. He explained that he liked the way that a day sail from Plymouth with Devon Sailing Experiences meant that he could take part in as much (or as little) sailing as he liked. His experienced skipper took full responsibility for the safety of the yacht, while encouraging his enthusiasm to learn how to hoist a sail, take the helm, tack and jibe. That was it for him – from never trying sailing before he was immediately hooked and now regularly checks our sailing schedule (and requests his own dates) to come out with us.

Whilst taking a break in the South Hams, Katherine saw a day sail from Salcombe advertised and brought her 8-year-old daughter along. Both of them were new to sailing and had never tried sailing before. It was ideal for them; their skippered yacht charter enabled then to be picked up from Salcombe first thing in the morning and they returned to exactly the same spot after a fun-filled day on the water (with a lunch stop at a local anchorage). They shared some great action-packed photos with their friends on Facebook.

Day sails are not the only option for those new to sailing. A weekend skippered charter from Plymouth or Salcombe means that our guests have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a sailing experience. Louise and Malcolm booked a skippered weekend charter from Plymouth. They commented on how amazed they were with the level of comfort (Egyptian cotton bedding and towels, on-board heating, entertainment system) and the quality of the yacht (a new 2015 Jeanneau 409).

And you don’t need to invest in any specialist gear to try out sailing. We just ask our guests to bring non-marking footwear (everyday trainers will do), warm and waterproof clothing (everyday clothing for living in the UK)

If you (or someone you know) like the idea of sailing but have never tried it before, why not purchase a voucher for a skippered yacht charter from Plymouth or Salcombe? We have something for everyone. Vouchers are available from the Devon Sailing Experiences website, or they are now available on the Red Letter Days website.

Can you combine a relaxing break with a sailing holiday?

Yes, you can.

As much as I love being on the water, personally, after 6 hours of hoisting sails and grinding winches, I am ready for a relaxing shower, putting on a pair of heels and heading off into town for a drink and some good quality food. Thinking that I can’t be the only woman in the world to think this way, Devon Sailing decided to team up with Salcombe Harbour Hotel to offer luxury sailing alongside a luxury spa break.

Obviously, we had to test the package idea, so this is what we did.

We took one of the charter yachts from Plymouth and spent an action packed day on the water. One of the advantages of yacht charter from Plymouth is that King Point marina is easily accessible from the mainline railway station meaning we could leave the car at home. Plymouth also has the advantage of being within easy reach of such beautiful destinations. In this case, Salcombe was our final destination.

After mooring up alongside the beautiful and historic town centre, we took a short stroll to the luxurious Salcombe Harbour Hotel which boasts stunning views over the estuary. Obviously, I had to indulge in a spa treatment: a back, neck and shoulder massage (I didn’t have time for a facial), then we prepared for a stylish evening out. As fabulous as it normally is to stay on our brand new charter yacht overnight, the advantage of staying at the Salcombe Harbour Hotel meant I could use my hair straighters. Don’t laugh – this is a very important issue to me, personally.

After a cheeky gin and tonic in the Terrace Bar with river views, we made our way to the hotel’s stylish, new restaurant, The Jetty, for locally sourced, seasonal food. After rewarding ourselves with a high quality dinner following our adventure sail from Plymouth, we returned to our luxury room, simply slid open the wide glass doors, breathed in the fresh sea air and enjoyed the unrivalled views. I know it was early – but we had been out on the water all day, and it was supposed to be a relaxing break, after all!



After finding herself single following a split from her long-term partner, Lisa (not her real name) approached the holiday season with dread. She was on her own. Where was she going to go? What was she going to do?

She chose to take to the water with a yacht charter in Devon – and why not?

An adventure sail along the South West coast is a fantastic opportunity for the single traveller, regardless of whether or not they have had previous sailing experience. With a skippered yacht charter on our Jeanneau 409, you can choose how much (or how little) you participate in the sport, whilst visiting beautiful locations along the South Devon coastline. Check out the photos on our website.

An exclusive skippered charter of the yacht guarantees you your own private use of the boat – just you (perhaps your friends) and the skipper onboard. The advantages to this are plenty of space, a choice of cabins and absolute control of the destinations (bar the tide and weather getting in the way). If possible, the skipper will leave the boat in the evenings giving you peace and quiet or time to explore your destination.

A standard skippered yacht charter (or adventure sail) means that others (often those choosing to travel without partners or family) will join you. You will still have your own cabin (one of which is en-suite) but will you’ll be with others making up a small group. Advantages of travelling this way include reduced prices, a good atmosphere and new found friends to go for a drink in the local bar.

An active holiday in the beautiful surroundings of Devon on board a 40’ yacht – there are so many opportunities for people holidaying or travelling alone.

What on earth should I do with my 2 teenagers during the school holidays?

A cry we’ve heard more than once! You want to get them into the great outdoors – they want to play computer games. You want adventure – they want..…oh, hang on a minute, they want adventure, too!

Why not take to the water with a yacht charter in Devon? That’s exactly what one family from Bristol decided to do.

Upon arrival at King Point marina, Devon, the matriarch of the family was immediately impressed with the presentation of our spacious, brand new 40’ yacht. She commented on how immaculately clean and well laid out it was with 3 separate cabins, and she was absolutely over the moon with the fact it had an en-suite bathroom!

The trip organizer (aka, Dad) was impressed by the size and sleekness of the yacht. He was going to be in control of this beautiful Jeanneau 40’ yacht (with the support of a qualified skipper who would “do all the detail’ such as make sure everyone was safe and get them to the next location on their itinerary, but would leave them alone on the boat during the evenings).

And the 2 teenage sons? They didn’t have to share a room, so that was a good start. There were gadgets on board. Gadgets! What more does a boy need? They were not going to spend the whole holiday in one boring location – they were going to sail from port to port along the South Devon coast. They were going to sail their very own yacht.

Everyone’s a winner!