Blog | Don’t Forget to Protect Your Skin When Yachting

Whether it is cruising along on your own luxury motor yacht, or you are enjoying the heady experience of a yacht charter vacation, we all know that being out among the wind and waves is a special experience.

But, the conditions “out there,” could be pretty harsh on your skin. Wind, and salt water can take their toll, but what you really need to worry about is the very sun you are likely out there worshiping!

While a motoryacht offers many shaded areas, and indoor cabins and lounges, more so than you will find on other types of vessels, you still need to worry about protecting your skin from too much sun exposure. This is particularly true for charter guests, who may not have been out on a yacht before, and may not realize how intense the sun can be, and that it is magnified by reflections off of the water and often bright white surfaces of the hull etc.

The good news is, with some precaution and a little common sense, your yacht charter can still be the “Sunshine of Your Life!”

Sun Protection Basics for Yacht Owners and Yacht Charter Guests

Nothing can spoil a yacht charter experience quicker than a nasty sunburn! More severe cases, such as sun-poisoning, can ruin a vacation entirely and necessitate a return to port for medical attention. But all that can be avoided with proper protection.

The simplest and most basic form of sun protection for anyone on board is sunscreen. Here are some sunscreen tips:

• You must use at least 15 SPF — this is the minimum to provide actual sun protection.
• Look for sunscreens that are marked as waterproof or sweat-proof, these are better to use out on a boat.
• Do not waste your money on anything above 50 SPF. Such brands may seem to be the best or the most “powerful,” but once you get above 50, it all evens out and these are not any more effective.
• If your lips are especially sensitive, you can buy lip balm that has a low level of SPF in it.
• Make sure to use sunscreen that affords both UVA and UVB protection, to ward off both burns and illness.
• When you are not using sunscreen, make sure to store it in a dark place. If it is exposed to too much sunlight it will become ineffective.
• Wait until sunscreen dries before going out in the sun or on the water. This should take approximately 15 minutes.

Beyond Sunscreen

Beyond sunscreen, here are some other common sense measures to avoid the burn, while having fun in the sun.

• Wear a hat – You usually will not want to put sunscreen on your scalp, and your hair (if you have a full head of it) only provides so much protection.

• Clothing – There are wonderful types of boating/water sports attire that have SPF and/ or UVA/UVB protection interwoven into the fabrics. These afford great sun protection, especially for kids, and are ideal for providing sun protection while you are Jet Skiing, Kayaking, or enjoying any of the other water toys that may be part of your yachting experience.

A sunburn can be at best painful and annoying, and at worse serious enough to ruin your whole trip, or even cause cancer! It may seem like a hassle to remember to put on sunscreen or to bring protective gear on your yacht charter, when all you really want to think about is your next boat drink, but it is well worth avoiding the potential consequences!

Here’s Another Great Tip!

Here’s another great tip on how not to “get burned” on a motor yacht charter! Work with a skilled and experience charter broker! Our charter team can match you with the boat and the charter destination that is just right for you and your guests. It is that kind of individualized attention that has helped us to consistently add new boats, and new itineraries, and is just one reason why we now operate the largest motor yacht charter fleet north of Miami!

Enjoy the sun safely!

Choosing the right charter experience can be challenging. If you would like to benefit from our expertise in these areas, or if you have any questions or comments about this blog post, do not hesitate to contact our Charter Specialists, or call us at 954-235-3468