The final Cruise Joining Instructions for Cruise participants is available here along with the final attendee list.
Conscious of the cumulative cost of extended cruising, our aims have been to put together a programme which offers something for everyone whilst not breaking the bank. Our headline event will therefore be a formal end of cruise dinner in the spectacular setting of the Ship Hall of the Vasa Museum; dining in the presence of this iconic reminder of maritime history and Swedish seafaring heritage on the evening of the 17th June before the cruise disperses. We shall also have a start of cruise reception and supper in Sjaltsjöbaden on the evening of the 8th June. Other social events will include barbecues, self-booked restaurant options to suit all budgets at several of our overnight stops and other nights spent in some glorious isolation with only ourselves for company at some more secluded anchorages where the only disturbance will be the sounds of nature and, we hope, some indications of contented conviviality emanating from within the fleet at anchor.
The route has been similarly designed to cater for all tastes and cruising styles. Whilst the archipelago, by its very nature, will require some navigation in smaller intra island channels (and probably, therefore, some motor sailing), there will be some open water sailing and we have chosen advisory routes to avoid risky rock dodging or unnecessary hazards. More adventurous crews may choose to challenge themselves with alternative route finding (and there is an almost infinite number of permutations) but those more inclined to a more relaxing experience will also find themselves well served.
As part of the reconnaissance, a number of local charter companies were visited who own and operate yachts in the area. It is not for the RYS to act as an intermediary but one key factor those looking for charters might consider is whether the Charter Company offer flexible charter periods - some seem fixed to 7 or 14 day charters.
An ideal charter period to cover our cruise dates would be for charterers take over boats on the afternoon of 8th June before relocating (if required) to Sjaltsjöbaden for our start of cruise reception that evening; and handing boats back on the morning of the 18th after the final dinner on the 17th. Another workable, even preferable, option for the return date might be to hand back boats on the 17th and then move into a hotel in Stockholm for the night of the Vasa Dinner.
Companies who have indicated that they would be flexible over charter dates and possibly offer some discounts are Sailmarine AB, Yacht Charter Sweden and Dream Yacht Charter. If you choose to approach any of these, please mention that you are planning to participate in the RYS Cruise. Their fleet lists and indicative prices are included as attachments below with their contact details, please do contact the individual companies directly if you have queries or wish to pursue bookings. Sailmarine AB & Dream have formally priced a cruise specific package to match dates of the Cruise whilst Yacht Charter Sweden have said they will do so when they know the charterers’ specific requirements. Other companies or agents may, of course, choose to offer similar flexibility on a case by case basis. Please note that we have tried to find companies with bases within a short distance (by sea) of our start and finish at Sjaltsjöbaden. Sailmarine AB’s base is basic and the fleet somewhat older but seemingly well maintained and supported. Yacht Charter Sweden have a much younger fleet and are also new operators to the archipelago area but their head office is in Gothenburg. Dream already have provisional bookings from some of those joining the cruise in which case you will need to discuss any potential for adjusting your charter period directly with your individual contacts.
Please note, this is not an exclusive list - other charter companies and booking agents are available and you may be able to secure better offers through your own negotiations. Apart from direct access to the local charter bases we have mentioned, broker operations such as Cosmos Yachting London and Tenrag Yacht Charter (both familiar to Members) offer access to the Swedish charter market. Be aware that intermediary agents may merely re-present the offers of yacht owning companies and do check T&Cs carefully.
For charterers and owners alike, we are advised that it is very useful to have a chartplotter in the cockpit and a stern anchor; the local custom is to anchor by the stern with a bow line to the shore or pontoon. As we shall not have an accompanying RYS RiB or Mother Ship for the cruise, a healthy smattering of tenders (and outboards) will be required within the fleet in some overnight locations for yacht-to-yacht and yacht-to-shore transfers.
We have a good quorum already signed up. The initial list of those who have registered interest is published here
David Reynolds has prepared a document which is available below: “Tips on the passage to and cruising in the Baltic” which members may find useful when starting the planning process for this trip. David also has a very large set of charts and guides purchased from Peter and Janet Melson for a Baltic trip on his previous yacht Firedancer a few years ago. David plans to charter for this cruise so if anyone would like the charts please contact him directly. Douglas Neville-Jones also has charts available and interested Members should contact him directly via email.
Attendee List as at 11.05.2023