The Mediterranean yacht charter season is in full swing, and congratulations, the midway point is in sight. You’ve survived long hours, hot decks, and sunscreen-streaked everything, and there’s still more to come. It’s common at this point for yacht crew, from deckhands to stewardesses, to daydream about the end of the season and focus on surviving the rest of the summer. But this season is different. This season, we take charge and say no to survival and yes to flourishing and growing as a valuable member of the crew. And while the charter guest experience is always the priority, mid-season is also the perfect time for a little reset, physically, mentally, and creatively.
If you’re looking to recharge your mindset, upgrade your future, enhance charter guest interactions, enrich your life onboard and plan that well-earned post-season getaway, then read on as we’ve compiled the ultimate mid-season recharge guide for superyacht deckhands and yacht crew. Part inspiration, part superyacht gear guide, part travel planner and entirely about making life on board (and off) better. Because that’s what we do at FunAir — we help make crew life easier, more fun, and full of good vibes. Whether it’s through our innovative superyacht inflatables or helpful blogs like this one, we’re here to support the people who make yachting magic happen.
Easy Daily Tweaks for Yacht Crew and Deckhands to Beat the Mid-Season Slump
Mid-season can start to feel like Groundhog Day for superyacht crew. After half a season of long hours, tight quarters and minimal alone time, your headspace may also feel a little fried. Mix things up by making small tweaks to your daily rhythm to help maintain energy, stay sharp for your charter guests, and boost your mindset.
Here are a few easy ideas to work into your day. Things don’t have to be dramatic to make a big difference:
- If possible, start your day with five quiet minutes on the bow before chaos hits. Fresh air, still water, fresh coffee and a little perspective go a long way. A sunrise ritual can become a powerful daily anchor for any yachtie.
- Start practising breathing techniques like Box breathing. Used by Navy SEALs, athletes, and CEOs to reduce stress and boost focus, it’s great for mid-shift overwhelm or winding down after a long day. How to do it: Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds. Hold your breath for 4 seconds. Exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 seconds. Hold again for 4 seconds. Repeat the cycle 4 times. It’s the perfect reset between yacht toy setups, watersports sessions, or post-washdown recovery.
- Midday movement breaks. Even 3–5 minutes of stretching or bodyweight exercises (push-ups, squats) can help reset your energy.
- Kick bad habits to the curb. Slowly eliminate negative lifestyle habits. Are you guzzling soda? Take it away for a week and replace it with flavoured sparkling water.
- Learn One Thing Daily. Choose a category (knots, flags, ports, yacht trivia, languages) and challenge yourself to learn one new thing each day.
- Daily challenges. Set yourself challenges to complete by the end of the day: Can you hit 15,000 steps? Drink 3L of water? Think you can sneak in 100 squats? Get the rest of the crew involved for extra fun.
- Wind-down rituals. Set a mini routine each night. A herbal tea with 10 minutes of music or podcasts, a quick skincare routine. Anything to signal to your body that it’s time to switch off.
- Check-in with your crew mates. As the old saying goes, it’s good to talk, and while you might be feeling ok, a casual chat could be the exact support someone else needs. Mental health matters, especially on long rotations. Yacht life is intense, look after each other.
Mid-Season is a Great Time to Plan the Future of Your Yachting Career
Mid-season on a yacht is the perfect time to plot your next career move. Use this time to reflect on what you want next from your career. What certifications or experience do you need to move up the ranks in the superyacht industry? Maybe you need to book a PWC or entry-level engine course or work towards your Yacht Master. Or are you looking to add to your land-based skills to secure your future life after yachting?
There are a lot of yachting-specific and general skill online training options, which, if you’re lucky enough to have some free time during the summer, maybe an hour or so in the evenings or during watch duties, are a great way of keeping your mind focused and sharp during the seemingly repetitive days of a busy season. RYA (Royal Yachting Association) offers a huge range of online courses targeted at deck crew that add valuable skills to your CV and prepare you for future exams. Their online courses include Essential Navigation and Seamanship, Day Skipper Theory, Yachtmaster Ocean Theory, and the Marine Radio SRC Course and Exam.
For those looking to build skills in more general fields, check out Udemy or Coursera, where you’ll find hundreds of courses across all manner of interests and professions. Perfect for developing new skills or building on existing interests. If there’s no time for doing courses during the season, book some in for when you do have time. You can also use any downtime to pick up new skills, like learning a language with fun apps like Duolingo or tuning into inspiring and educational podcasts. Your future self will thank you for it. Whatever you’re manifesting for your future, now is the perfect time to do the research and take action.
Must-Have Superyacht Deckhand Essentials to Get You Through the Season
We all know daily life on deck is not always about launching superyacht toys or zipping around in tenders. There can be a lot of monotonous time spent standing or doing the same repetitive jobs. We’ve selected our top picks of must-have superyacht deckhand accessories that are guaranteed to upgrade your daily grind and give you a mid-season boost: Image credit: @hanno_heymans
Waterproof Phone Case
Between tender runs, guest excursions, and yacht slide deployments, the Musto Evolution Smart Phone Case will ensure you never lose another gadget to the ocean again. With its heat-sealed seems and hi-vis binding, you can be sure your phone is safe on deck or in the tender. Plus, its touch screen window means you can still use it whenever you need it, and the attached cord makes it easy to secure to your body.
Sun Protection
Life as a deckhand involves daily exposure to sun, salt and reflection off the water. Protect yourself by investing in quality, ocean-friendly sunscreen like the Sun Bum range or Nivea Protect & Moisture SPF 50+. A decent, lightweight hat that shades your face and neck, such as the Columbia Bora Bora Booney Hat or the North Face Horizon Breeze Brimmer. Lastly, a quality pair of sunglasses that shield your eyes from harmful rays and still make you look cool, like the Dragon Alliance Floatable collection, which are polarised and float, should you drop them in the water. Or keep your favourite sunnies on your head or around your neck with a Musto Sunnies Retainer.
Multi-tool
A decent multi-tool is a superyacht deckhand’s best friend. Ideal for quick fixes, tightening screws, and maybe most useful, opening bottles. The best of the bunch include the Leatherman Wave+ and the Victorinox Skipper.
Quick Dry Towels
These quick-drying towels are great to have on hand to mop up the sweat when you’re melting away on deck. They’re super absorbent and pack away really small, so they can be stashed away easily when not in use.
Let’s not forget the gear that makes your job smoother while guests have the time of their lives. When it comes to inflatables, the ones that yacht crew actually love working with are designed to be quick to deploy, easy to clean and stow, and built to last. That’s why you’ll spot FunAir inflatables on so many busy charter yachts. After years of working alongside superyacht Captains and crew, we’ve nailed the balance between guest fun and crew practicality, because anything that makes life on deck easier is a win all around.
Maximise the Charter Guest Experience, Without Burning Out
When it comes to yacht guest experience, the deck crew may sometimes feel a little overshadowed by stews and chefs. Mid-season is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone and into the limelight. By being observant and taking a little initiative, there are plenty of ways to connect and have a massive influence on the overall experience, making your work feel more rewarding and potentially increasing tips.
Creating unforgettable moments for charter guests not only enhances your day-to-day work, it boosts your value as part of the crew. Taking initiative, staying engaged, and anticipating guest needs, these are the traits that captains and guests remember (and reward).
Entertain the Kids with Superyacht Toys
When there are kids on board, make it your duty to keep them entertained, especially when they’re playing around the deck or swim platform. Pull out the toys and organise fun games, like racing across the inflatables or on paddleboards or Water Jousting. You could even organise a Superyacht Olympics. Film them playing the pool pose challenge or hand them a GoPro to capture underwater footage. Or, grab a moment of calm with some fishing lessons. Keeping them happy and occupied will not go unnoticed by Mum and Dad, who will be enjoying some well-earned freedom.
Research the Destination
Check in with the captain pre-charter for the full itinerary and do a little research. That way, you can strike up a conversation with interesting facts or suggestions on restaurants, bars, shopping and beaches.
Master the Yacht Toy Box
Be the expert on all water-based yacht toys. Know how to talk guests through using them safely and confidently. If you have any watersports skills, you can offer lessons to help guests try new things or organise a group paddle board session to explore the local coastline.
Be Observant & Proactive
Be a hero to guests and stews by keeping a watchful eye on guests. Radio stews when they are needed and save them unnecessary trips. If you have space, keep a stash of common guest items like ashtrays, lighters, powerbanks, scissors, binoculars, and nail files somewhere handy.
Prepare the Yacht Tender Like a Pro
Ensure the tender is stocked with all the essentials and ready for any situation. Pack a grab bag with water, sunscreen, beers, and snacks. If there’s extra room, add sunglasses, umbrellas, bottle openers, rain jackets, hats, portable phone chargers, towels, blankets and anything else you get requests for.
Your Break is Sacred: Plan a Post-Season Getaway with Savvy
Shine a little light at the end of the tunnel, disconnect from the stresses of the season and book your ultimate end-of-season break now. Savvy is a new travel platform that’s just like Airbnb and Vrbo but without all the booking fees. With Savvy listings mostly in the US for now, it’s ideal for yachties heading stateside for the winter season and looking to travel without breaking the bank. Stay in unique lodgings like lakeside estates, log cabins deep in the wilderness, wine county cottages, mountain lodges and beachside shacks. Here’s our top picks:
Nashville
Plan a solo or couple trip and explore all the excitement that Nashville has to offer from this artsy condo, with access to a rooftop deck and on-site gym.
Hilton Head Island
This beautiful townhouse is just a short walk from the beach and features three bedrooms, making it the perfect place for a group getaway. Guests have access to a pool and golf courses.
San Diego
This gorgeous beach cottage in North Pacific Beach is the perfect spot to enjoy the nightlife and soak up the laid-back surf vibes of Bird Rock. It can sleep up to four people, so perfect for either couples or groups.
Use this mid-season check point to take charge of your routine, refresh your mindset, and reignite your motivation. From mastering new skills, to making life onboard smoother with smart gear and guest-savvy tips, small upgrades can make a big difference. At FunAir, we’re all about making yacht crew life easier, whether that’s with our crew friendly superyacht inflatables or guides like this to help you thrive, not just survive. Reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our website to find our exciting range of products and more helpful blogs like this.
Main image credit: @yacht_holdinmyown
