What to do now that the yachting season is over?  

Now that the summer yachting season has finished and you're on your way back home, you might be wondering what to do for the winter? You could be looking forward to a break before heading back for your next contract in the spring, but there's plenty to do, so don't get too comfortable! 

How long is the Yachting season?  

The yachting calendar is divided into two halves, with the summer season running from May to October, typically stationed in the Med, and the Winter season from November to April, which ventures further towards the Western Hemisphere to exotic destinations such as the Caribbean.  

If you’re fortunate enough to have a summer and winter contract to look forward to, then you won’t have much downtime. But if you’ve just finished your summer contract with a free calendar for the next five to six months, you might be stuck for what to do.  

What to do on the yacht off-season?  

Life onboard can be fast paced with little downtime as your priorities are looking after your guests and maintaining the vessel. So, suddenly slowing down can be a shock to the system.  

To keep your momentum up and get you through the colder months as you reminisce about the long summers sailing around Greek islands, we’ve detailed some helpful tips on what to do now that the yachting season is over.  

Refresh your training  

It’s a good start to begin with some admin and review your certificates. Does your STCW Training need updating before you go back to sea? Or perhaps you’d like to expand your skills in your time off, in which case you’ll need to find a training centre that can offer what you’re looking for.  

Keep old hobbies and make new ones 

To help you settle back into the routine of being on land, keep up any good habits you formed while away. This could take the form of journaling, meditation, or regular exercise. Alternatively, if you have been wanting to learn how to knit a scarf, bake a recipe you saved, or learn a new language, now’s the perfect time! 

Find a seasonal or temporary role  

The downtime might be tempting for five months, but accepting a temp role during this time will help you keep a steady income and help you stay disciplined with the routine of working.  

What to do after yachting  

Not everyone returns to sea after their charter has ended. If you've decided it's time to leave the sea and journey back to work on land, then perhaps a career in recruitment is your answer. With your knowledge and expertise of how the roles onboard work, and the desired skills by captains and chiefs of staff, you could help others find their feet in the industry by joining a recruitment agency. 

No matter what you decide to do with your new-found freedom, it’s essential that you take measures to have some well-deserved rest and relaxation before returning to work. Make sure to spend time with family and loved ones, as well as catch up with friends you won’t have seen in months.  

To find more helpful blogs and advice about working at sea, check out our other articles here.