Route design
Plan the Passage
A passage is the trip between two points. A sensible holiday route treats that movement as part of the experience, with alternatives ready before conditions ask for them.
First-time crews often plan too many named stops. A better plan gives each day a primary destination, a nearer alternative and a clear idea of the return path. In the Cyclades, that may mean respecting a windy day rather than forcing a crossing. Along the Dalmatian Coast, it may mean choosing a smaller loop from Split. In the British Virgin Islands, it may mean not assuming a short line on the chart is automatically simple.
Build the route in six steps
- Choose the crew’s true sailing appetite: long days, short hops, swimming time or harbour evenings.
- Start and end at the agreed base, allowing time for check-in, briefing and return procedures.
- Identify a modest first passage while everyone learns the boat, systems and motion.
- For every key stop, note a safe alternative that works if wind, fatigue or berth space changes.
- Protect the final full day so the return does not depend on a perfect forecast.
- Confirm the live plan with official weather, charts, notices and the qualified skipper or charter briefing.
Terms that help the conversation
These explanations are for trip planning, not navigation instruction. For operational decisions, use current official sources and professional local advice.