Corporate team-building charter: how to organise a company sailing trip
A corporate charter brings a team together differently than an escape room. See how to pick a boat, how many people to bring and how to book online.
A corporate team-building charter is an alternative to an escape room or a trip to a conference room with a barbecue in the background. The team spends a day on the water, where sailing itself forces cooperation: someone trims the sail, someone else holds the course, and decisions have to be made together, fast. Below we show how to pick a boat for the size of your team, how to plan the day and how to book that kind of trip without calling ten different rental companies.
Why a charter works well as team building
Sailing has a natural team structure: there is a skipper, there is a crew, and there are tasks that have to happen in a specific order for the boat to move at all. That is a different kind of team building than a workshop or a lecture, because the result is visible right away, on the water, not on a flipchart. The change of context is a bonus too: a conversation on deck, away from the phone and the office, flows differently than one in a meeting room.
How many people and what boat
| Team size | Boat type | Character of the trip |
|---|---|---|
| 4-6 people | Cabin sailing yacht | Intimate, everyone gets a turn at the helm and the sails |
| 8-12 people | A larger sailing yacht or a catamaran | Roles split up, more space on deck |
| Over 12 people | Several boats sailing together, or a houseboat | A convoy trip, or shared space on one boat |
For larger teams, several smaller boats sailing together usually work better than one overcrowded boat: more space per person, and a natural split into smaller groups who later compare notes over a shared dinner in port. We cover how to match boat size and type to a group's headcount and experience more broadly in our article on how to choose a charter yacht.
How to plan the team-building day
A tried-and-tested day looks similar regardless of the waters: a short safety briefing on shore, several hours of sailing with participants actively involved, a break for a swim or lunch at anchor, an afternoon return to port and a shared dinner ashore or on deck. The programme only works if participants actually do something rather than just sit on deck, so it is worth agreeing with the operator in advance how many people can actively help with the sails and the helm.
For companies who want more than one day, a weekend format works well: a Friday afternoon departure from port, a full day of sailing on Saturday and a Sunday morning return. The longer format gives time to rotate roles on deck, so every participant tries both steering and sail handling instead of watching from the side for the whole trip.
Life jackets are compulsory for anyone without sailing experience, regardless of whether the boat requires a licence. A good operator provides a full set sized for the whole team, not just the skipper.
Booking a corporate charter online
Whoever is organising the team-building day usually has little time to research offers, so an operator's site with live availability and online booking saves exactly what is missing: time on the phone and waiting for a confirmation. One payment for the whole boat, a clear date and an instant confirmation in the inbox work better than swapping messages with several rental companies at once. If you are looking for an operator with that kind of booking model, you will find a list on Portivo.
Who can sail without a licence
Some smaller motor and sailing boats can be skippered without a licence, as long as they fall within the limits on engine power, speed and length. That matters for team building, where it is rare for the whole group to hold a sailing licence, and you want several people to take turns at the helm. We cover the exact limits and required documents in our article on chartering without a licence. The safety rules worth going over with the team before setting off are covered in our guide to safety on the water.
If you are looking for an operator where you can book a boat for team building online, in a few minutes and without phone calls, book a short call or check the listings on Portivo.
Frequently asked questions
How many people fit on a typical team-building yacht?
A cabin sailing yacht works well for 4-6 people, larger boats or catamarans for 8-12. Above a dozen or so people, several boats sailing together work better.
Do we need a sailing licence for a corporate charter?
Not always. Some motor and sailing boats fall within the limits that allow sailing without a licence, but the specific boat and waters ultimately decide.
How long does a typical team-building trip last?
Most often one day, from a few hours of sailing to a full day with a stop at anchor and a shared meal. Longer, two or three-day trips work well for bigger teams and bigger budgets.
Can you book a corporate charter last minute?
It depends on the season and fleet availability. At the summer peak it is worth booking a few weeks ahead, out of season dates are usually easier to find.
