The year 2020 has been an unusual one for all of us. Huge wildfires in Australia, riots around the world for the Black Lives Matter movement, a US President that won’t accept defeat – not to mention the Covid-19 pandemic. Escaping the craziness and setting sail was more appealing than ever for our yacht delivery skippers and crew this year.......
Our yacht delivery skippers are often asked for their professional sailing advice. In this technological age we now live in, one of the main questions we are asked is about the phone apps that we recommend. Here is a list of 16 essential sailing apps compiled by one of our senior yacht delivery skippers. If you use a sailing or......
We are often asked about how you can make a career in yachting with little or basic experience. Phil Wood, Sales and Operations Manager at Halcyon Yachts offers his thoughts and guidance. Q. How do I get started in the sailing industry? I have done a little sailing and really loved it, but how can I make a career and......
Minka Armitage, Halcyon Yacht Deliveries Assistant Operations Manager, tells us a bit more herself and shares a few sailing stories. Where did you grow up? I was born in The Netherlands. I spent some of my early childhood on board a small ship, but have lived most of my life in Cowes, Isle of Wight. My Father was a Captain......
Delivering dreams Working with Halcyon Yachts as a yacht delivery skipper can never be described as dull. Until the Coronavirus lockdowns, they’ve kept me very busy with some exceptional trips with destinations all over the globe, from Bora Bora, to the Baltic and from Mexico to the Med. When a call came in to fit in a quick delivery between......
Phil Wood, Halcyon Yacht Deliveries Sales and Operations Manager takes a break to tell us a bit about himself and share a few salty tales. Where did you grow up? Although I was born in Wolverhampton and spent a few years in Tamworth which I think is the most diametrically distance-opposed town to the sea in the UK, we......
Are you looking for the perfect Christmas present for a sailor? Here we look at 10 of the most interesting practical and indispensable knick-knacks that even the most gadget-happy yachtie in your life may not yet have. Floating Key Fob – A must for anyone who spends time around the water, this is a quick and cheap stocking filler. The......
Whether you’ve been cooped up all day, need to walk the ship’s dog, or fancy a well earned pint, here’s a run-down of some anchorages with a walk to eight of the finest pubs around Falmouth and the Helford. A few of these walks are tide dependent, if the tides are fully neap you will have access all day,......
One of our yacht delivery skippers has recently fallen in love with sailing in the Arctic Circle. Although it is not a place we typically think of when planning our summer cruise, Michele is now on a mission to share his passion with like-minded sailors. Michele was first inspired when he joined a 2-month expedition in 2018. He sailed from......
When I talk to people about yacht delivery, they often ask, “What is your favourite type of yacht?” or “What has been your best yacht delivery ever?” These are such hard questions to answer. With all the yachts we deliver, we develop a lasting fondness. As one of the leading yacht delivery companies in Europe, we are privileged to sail......
Becoming an excellent yacht skipper is not an easy task. Being a yacht skipper involves a wide and diverse range of skillsets. These skills take time to learn and very few people will master them all. At Halcyon Yachts we are lucky to have some of the best yacht delivery skippers in the industry. Our skippers have all gained numerous......
What can we do? Plastic pollution is reaching epidemic proportions. Current estimates suggest that as much as 12.7 million tonnes of plastic ends up in our oceans every year. This equates to one truckload every minute. As a sailor and outdoor enthusiast, I find it disgraceful to see so much plastic in our oceans and on our beaches. The environment......
There is something about the allure of the oceans that keeps sailors coming back for more. Whether we are on a long transatlantic yacht delivery or a short hop across the English Channel, being on the water provides us with a deep satisfaction that is hard to put into words. It is this feeling that fuels our passion and dedication......
From raging storms crashing on to bleak rocky headlands to tranquil bays with crystal clear water lapping over white sand, the beauty and mystery of our oceans have long fascinated artists far and wide. Carolyn Tyrer, a keen artist and sailor, is no exception. Carolyn says “My inspiration for painting the sea and boats comes from my love of sailing.......
It was a last-minute decision, but it was one that opened a whole new world to me. Before I knew it, I was on a yacht in Bermuda headed across the Atlantic Ocean, bound for Chichester, England. Three months later, I’ve got half a dozen Halcyon deliveries under my belt and the benefits of joining in with a yacht delivery......
As a yacht delivery company, we deliver sailing yachts and motorboats to various destinations all over the world. One of the main reasons for people to have a yacht delivered is so that they can explore and experience a new region. Whether you are seeking a warmer climate, remote wilderness, cultural diversity, local cuisine, epic landscapes or incredible wildlife there......
Crossing Biscay is never a small undertaking. It is a notorious sea area, very open to large Atlantic swells and with steep underwater shelving, the sea can be turbulent at the best of times. We were asked to assist the proud new owner of a beautiful new Lagoon 42 with the passage from Les Sables d’Olonne to Lisbon. At Halcyon......
Christmas is a time for giving, but what to buy the sailing fanatic in your life? Halcyon Yachts is here to help with 10 great ideas. Halcyon Yachts have delved deep into Santa’s sack and found some interesting and unique gift suggestions. Top ten Christmas Presents for a Sailor: 1. Rum – the sailors Tipple. Every sailor drinks......
Following on from our Top 5 tips for crossing the Atlantic blog, we have been looking at how to keep your crew entertained on a long passage such as a Trans-Atlantic. Everyone has their own views on what makes crew happy whilst sailing, and a Skippers job of keeping a cohesive team unit focused on the goal of getting the......
Superyacht quality and finishing at 42 feet The latest yacht delivery to be undertaken by Halcyon Yachts was to be thoroughly enjoyable and a very comfortable trip. The delivery was of a new Rustler 42 from Falmouth to Southampton in time for the 2017 Southampton Boatshow. Rustler Yachts will be exhibiting the yacht and promoting their brand at the luxury......
I think we would all agree that a yacht should be well organised, clean and prepared for the passage ahead. When sailing on a journey that takes you offshore or on an overnight trip it is absolutely crucial to establish an effective watch system early on in the journey. A fair and well thought out watch system will help the......
Buying a new yacht is a big decision. Whether buying new or second hand, power or sail, the initial outlay and ongoing costs will no doubt make it one of your biggest and most important investment decisions ever. The process should be an exciting and fulfilling experience and the satisfaction and pride of owning your own vessel can be truly amazing. Owning a boat will......
It’s a little-known fact that anyone regardless of age or experience can buy a yacht and go sailing without any formal training. This is the same whether it be a little sports-boat, day boat or a 150 foot Superyacht. It’s not like a car where you must pass a driving test before you can legally drive on your own. Although in......
“The number one aim of the trip is come back alive,” Ken Fowler tells me over a pint, while describing his plan to sail a 13′ dinghy, single-handed for the 900 miles from Land’s End to John O Groats. This is what he’s promised his wife he will do but you can sympathise with her concerns, considering that the route......
At Halcyon Yachts we organise yacht delivery teams to travel to destinations worldwide to move yachts. Crew travel costs are normally passed onto the yacht owners at cost price. Halcyon prides itself on making sure that crew travel is as cost effective and kept as low as possible always with the customer’s wallet in mind. Over the years, we have found......
What do you get the sailing fanatic in your family for Christmas? Undoubtedly, they will have already got the essentials such as wet weather gear, lifejacket, thermals, trendy shore jacket, boots, etc etc, so what’s next? Halcyon Yachts, specialists in international yacht delivery, have come up with a few ideas that might help…. Gadgets: Everyone likes a gadget, don’t they?......
When the wind is in your hair, the sun is setting on the horizon and the yacht is gliding through the ocean, some want for nothing more than silence so as to absorb the atmosphere around them, whereas others like music to enhance the experience. Our yacht delivery skippers and crew cover millions of miles on a variety of boats and......
As a professional yacht delivery company we come across boats in all states of repair and well maintained yachts bring comfort and reliability to the skipper and crew. A comprehensive off-season maintenance schedule may seem time consuming but it will generally cost you less in the long run. Using your winters wisely will help to ensure your summers are pleasurable......
As a seasoned victualler who has organised food on-board yachts from 25 foot to 100 foot, and from cross channel to round the world voyages, here are some top tips if you are given the unenviable duty of organising food for your next sailing adventure or yacht delivery. I actually enjoy the challenge of it, but if you don’t I......
Everyone has their own favourite meal on a boat, and everyone has a meal that brings back memories, good or bad. For example, I cannot drink tomato cup-a-soup or coffee whilst on a yacht delivery, but I can sink gallons of tea and mushroom cup-a-soup! Yacht delivery crew tend to be a little less fussy on a boat especially if......
Most of us now use smart phones and tablets on a daily basis. We take for granted using these items ashore for making calls, accessing the internet, playing games and generally helping to aid our busy lifestyles. It is not surprising therefore that the smart phone and tablet are becoming one of the most frequently used tools by yacht skippers......
Beta Centauri – The Voyager of Hadar Beta Centauri is a delightful and quite unique sailing film. For any sailor the film offers blissful escapism as you join Captain Dino Poulson and his young daughter Sasha on their adventure around the world. The film has clearly been made on a budget and some of the finesse that you’d expect from......
It takes a very special kind of person to become a yacht delivery skipper. You must of course be an excellent sailor, both hugely experienced and knowledgeable. You must also be a good leader, excellent at communicating, inspiring, at one with the vessel and crew and calm under pressure. You need to be conscientious, careful, in tune with the conditions,......
To set sail over the horizon, to spread your wings and explore, to see the world and to meet many new like minded people… Perhaps being a yacht delivery skipper is the ultimate job for any sailing enthusiast that likes to travel and wants to get paid to see the world! For anyone looking for a career in sailing there seems......
There are few things better in life than reading a good sailing book whilst sailing! To go off watch, curl up in a warm sleeping bag and read about your favourite sailing adventure is pure bliss. The background sounds of the wind in the rigging, the water lapping at the bow and the odd crackle of noise on the vhf......
Dylan Winter describes himself as “a witty old hack”, he describes his boats as “unremarkable yachts”, but he describes his country as “a most amazing island”. For those of you who don’t know Dylan, you simply should! He started out with £3000 in the bank, bought himself a 50 year old Mirror Offshore and set sail from Bembridge on the......
Tim Griffin has been involved in boating for well over 30 years. He has spent a lot of his time on various freshwater lakes and rivers, from running the Chattahoochee River in Georgia to jumping sandbars in Alaska. He says that he has slowed down a bit now and enjoys the pleasures of sitting at anchor and watching the sun......
At Halcyon Yachts we are passionate about sailing and all things to do with the ocean. Over the years there has been a steady stream of nautical films released, some of which have been slated by professionals and film critics alike. It is clearly a difficult subject matter to film and as a professional sailor it can be frustrating at......
We are often asked for advice regarding the equipment that is required to have on board a yacht. When conducting a yacht delivery we are always careful to ensure that there is sufficient equipment for the proposed passage. The toolkit/spares can be as extensive as you wish as you never quite know what you might need. Here is our......
As the sailing season in Europe comes to an end, some lucky folk will be preparing to relocate their yachts to the Caribbean for the winter months. Autumn is a common time to set off, ideal for making the most of the Caribbean season, and leaving the wintery conditions of Europe behind. On November 23rd 2014, around 250 yachts......
The condition of your rig is fundamental when considering any sea passage, but no more so than when undertaking a long offshore trip. At Halcyon Yachts offshore passages are second nature, many of our yacht deliveries cover thousands of miles. To ensure peace of mind during a yacht delivery we always check the rig for any wear or tear. There......
The annual J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club, is a one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight, an island off the south coast of the United Kingdom. The race regularly attracts over 1,700 boats and around 16,000 sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world. This year......
Sailing has been instrumental in the development of human civilization. The earliest representation of a ship under sail appears on an Egyptian vase circa 3500 BC. • Vikings sailed to North America approximately 1000 years ago. • Advances in sailing technology from the 15th century onward enabled explorers to make longer voyages into regions with more extreme weather and challenging......
Over the years Halcyon Yachts have assisted with yacht deliveries, both power and sail, to destinations all over the world. We have been involved with many different boats of all shapes and size! As an extended service to our loyal clients we have compiled a short list of just a few yachts that we have been involved with that......
Having sailed around the Isle of Wight more times than I can remember, I have decided to get a new perspective on the experience by walking the entire 70 mile coast path. To add to the challenge, and to emulate the spirit of sailing, I will be travelling with all I need to survive along the way – sleeping out......
It was a warm summer afternoon, the calm Cornish coastline was a welcome sight after 4 days of non-stop sailing from The Mersey. I went to my bunk, finally off watch, smiling in the knowledge that home was just around the corner. In an instant everything changed, the gentle lapping waves were drowned out by the most ferocious roar; I......
Rustler 42 – ‘Artemis of Alloa’ Guernsey to Gosport – Owner assisted yacht delivery It was 5 am, a good hour and a half before sunrise, some shallow draft yachts were beginning to escape over the bar of Victoria marina as the rising tide opened up access to the sea. At 5:30 am, with preparations complete and sufficient water beneath......
Yacht Delivery: Brighton to Corfu – 2600 miles… A new commercial sailing trip with Halcyon Yachts delivering a Jeanneau 43 Deck Saloon for a private owner from Brighton Marina to Corfu where the boat will be permanently based. The boat is about 5 years old and has hardly been used so is immaculate and very luxurious. Skipper is Peter Ralphs......
Purchasing a yacht involves a significant investment. When purchasing commercial property, drafting a legal contract or keeping financial records for a multi-million pound business, the services of professionals are often sought. Whether you need an estate agent, a chartered accountant, a lawyer or other professional, complex and large investments require specialised advice and services. Buying a yacht is no different.......
I recently had the pleasure of chartering one of the 4 berth cabin yachts from the famous Hunters Yard in Ludham. What might seem like a busman’s holiday was actually far from it… Hunters Yard offers “The authentic 1930’s broads sailing experience” and I can confirm it was exactly that! With no engine or electrics, the traditional gaff rig and......
The aptly named director of Halcyon Yachts, Pete Green, has recently furthered his commitment to environmental issues by implementing a new policy which his skippers and crew must adhere to. The new policy includes guidelines regarding fuelling, waste disposal and general conduct when both at sea and ashore. Peter Green says “I believe that all sailors have a......
Friend of Halcyon Yachts, Steve Aston, is now running a 50 ft charter yacht in the Greek Islands. Steve initially came into contact with us when he helped deliver a new powerboat from the Southampton boat show to Monaco. He impressed us with both his seamanship skills and his ability to entertain! He is a great cook and a wonderful host…......
Visit My Harbour has been providing free pilotage and sailing directions for 100’s of UK harbours, rivers and estuaries for the last four years. The owner, Steve Bryant, says “Think of it as a cross between a pilot book and an almanac, but online and free to use. As we don’t have any adverts we can be totally objective, particularly......
We recently delivered a new Hanse 385 from Hamble to Ipswich. Having waited at home for a few days for the weather to settle (Gusting Force 8) we joined the yacht on Monday the 18th of March. Unfortunately by this point the wind had dropped right down to almost nothing – it was going to be motor sailing at best…......
This April we will be conducting the delivery of a further 8 yachts to the Adakoy Beachclub, near Marmaris, in Turkey. Our yacht delivery service is second to none and we regularly receive repeat custom from our satisfied clients. Neilson Adakoy occupies a tranquil private waterfront on Adakoy Island, in a protected natural park. As the only hotel on Adakoy......
Sailing Rallies are offering a new and exciting alternative to the ARC. The Christmas Caribbean Rally will depart from Lanzarote on the 16th of December and the fleet will sail to Antigua in the Caribbean. The thinking behind this new alternative to the Atlantic Rally Cruise is that by the middle of December the trade winds are often more......
We were pleased to organise a Photograph and Limerick competition for our friends at the YBW (Yachting and Boating World) forum. Amongst stiff competition the winning photograph was taken by FlowerPower (who has been sent two free tickets): Our favourite Limerick was by KevO (who has been sent one free ticket): We went out and we bought an old trailer…......
We are extremely pleased to announce that this year we have once again been contracted to deliver both new power boats and sailing yachts from the Southampton Boat show. The yachts will be going to their new homes in the UK and abroad. We are very used to the challenges of delivering new vessels, and our meticulous and thorough approach......
Book your tickets in advance for the 2012 PSP Southampton Boat Show from only £12*, plus kids go free†. To book visit the website http://www.southamptonboatshow.com or call 0871 230 7140* and quote promotional code EX12. A fee of £1.75 applies per transaction, not per ticket when booking in advance. *Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Limited......
The summer is finally here! With temperatures up into the twenties this week many of us are now beginning to think about the summer season of sailing events. The UK’s main sailing event this year (apart from the Olympics of course) is Cowes week – The 11th to 18th of August. For those who fancy going further afield, to name......