How to have the most fun family staycation – and repeat…

Spending your time-off on the UK shores is fast becoming the new thing, with many of us seeking the perfect family staycation treat.

Getting on the water in a boat, is an alternative way to explore some of the UK’s best spots, whilst staying close to home. You’ll get plenty of fresh air, find stunning beaches, see amazing scenery and discover the joy of outdoor living afloat. Skimming the waves is exciting, absorbing and relaxing. Once you cast off, it’s the perfect way to escape from everything.

A new way to do this is with a boat share club, such as Boat Club Trafalgar. Here you can try boating, explore popular South Coast destinations and have regular family adventures.

Newcomers welcome

This new breed of club has sprung up to make getting on the water easy and simple to do, without all the stuff that goes with joining a traditional club. There’s no committees, duty rotas or trophy cases!

Best of all, you don’t need to have done any boating before, or have a boat of your own. Boat Club Trafalgar provides the complete package for you. Including a choice of excellent quality motor boats and full powerboat driver training.

Visit new places

Once your induction is complete, there’s plenty of amazing destinations and beaches to visit. Beaulieu River, Cowes, Yarmouth, Priory Bay, Totland Bay and Newtown Creek to name a few. Far better to explore by boat than a car, and avoid the tourist traffic. The beauty is each trip is different every time.

No need to own the boat

The concept of a boat share club mirrors our society’s move towards a sharing economy. Similar to using services like AirBnB and CarsOnDemand, in this instance, all the boats are owned by the club for the members to book them and enjoy their time out.

The friendly club team manage all the fleet boats, which range in style and type from 6m open top sports boats, ideal for visiting the beach to an 8.9m cabin cruiser, perfect for overnight stops. Family and guests are welcome, and the boats are designed to comfortably carry between 6 to 8 people.

With the boats are ready maintained, fuelled and insured, they are launched and ready to go, each time you visit. After your trip, simply pick up your bags and hand back the keys. The boats are thoroughly cleaned down, lifted out and stored away ready for the next member.

Extend your family staycation

What’s more you can go whenever you want, week after week. As well as a summer staycation activity, you can book in throughout the seasons. Make the most those stunning crisp, calm, clear autumn days and have the Solent to yourself.

Subscribing to one of the Club’s membership packages means you can book a boat when you need it. It’s a low cost way to take regular mini breaks with family and friends, and discover bays and beaches not reached by the crowds.

Get started with a guided trip

As well as comprehensive induction training which gains you the Powerboat Level 2 driver skills, the club team run regular Guided Discovery Trips. As part of your package, you set off afloat with an expert qualified guide, who leads you to the top spots around the Solent. It’s the perfect way to get oriented, and put your training into practice with someone on hand for advice too.

A typical trip starts with a team briefing over coffee, where you meet other boat share club members. You’ll motor through Portsmouth Harbour, passing historic sites such as HMS Warrior, then set off speeding down the Solent. You might call into Newtown Creek, an amazing natural harbour and wildlife haven. Onwards to anchor in Colwell Bay on the Isle of Wight, for a swim or spot of sunbathing. And then a visit to The Hut, a charming restaurant for boaters, which sends a launch out to take you ashore for lunch.

Of course, you can take off on trips of your own too including overnight stays on board, in one of the many marinas. There are plenty of places with excellent pubs, restaurants and cafes, that welcome visiting boaters.

Try it out

The Boat Club Trafalgar team welcome prospective members to come and visit, and take a Taster Session afloat to see if this family staycation is for you.