It started off so well. A catamaran full of family and friends, drifting into the clear blue water, taking photos, feeling glamorous, looking forward to watching the sun go down. I was finally reunited with my sister and her family, who live in Australia, for the first time in three years because of Covid. Her husband, a fearless Australian giant, had taken up sailing and offered to take me, my then 77-year-old mum, and their three teenagers out in the south of France for my sister’s 50th birthday. I knew sailing could get rough—my dad capsized us at the mouth of the River Dart when I was little—but you don’t get an offer like that every day. How could I say no?
It was October. I was hoping for warm, calm weather, but instead the wind blew hard and stubbornly in the wrong direction. Before we knew it, we were climbing huge waves and then crashing down into the troughs. Our captain stayed calm at the helm while I sat below, feeling like I was in a disaster movie. That’s when I realized I hadn’t even found the life jackets.
Later, safe in the harbor, I checked the wind forecasts for the week and felt terrified that we might all die. I wanted to beg our captain—who, along with his kids, was much more adventurous than me, my sister, and my mum—to let us stick close to the coast the whole trip and just use the engine.
Many scary days followed (at least to my land-loving mind). I’d point out the forecast to the captain—”Look at these possible gusts!”—and he’d say it wasn’t that bad. The crazy gusts did come, and at one point we urgently needed to get the mainsail down. But the rope was stuck. “This is it,” I thought. The captain and my nephew eventually figured it out. Another violent gust snapped the rope for one of the foresails.
The moment that defined our week at sea was helping Mum escape the cabin. Even when anchored, things can go wrong. The galley had steep steps down to the bunks on either side, and one evening Mum fell backwards down them. Our hearts were in our mouths as we rushed to help. Luckily, nothing was broken—she was just shocked, bruised, and sore.
On the windiest day, we anchored near a beach and went for a long walk. There’s something nice about watching your floating home gently bobbing from the shore… until you realize it’s dragging its anchor and heading straight for a Saint-Tropez regatta race. That night, I lay in my bunk, listening to the wind batter the fiberglass hull, hoping we weren’t quietly drifting into the path of an oil tanker.
On the way back, the wind was more in our favor, but the sea still tossed the boat around like a toy. The galley had a sliding door to the cockpit, and its latch was tricky, so it slammed open and shut whenever we suddenly lurched. Eventually, the door got stuck closed, so to get in and out, we had to climb up through the hatches above our bunks. But Mum—tiny, old, and still sore—couldn’t do that.
She stayed in the cabin for at least 24 hours, not complaining (as always). But when we wanted to explore the island of Porquerolles, we couldn’t leave her trapped in there. So we cleared the draining board, lifted Mum onto it, and carefully passed her through the window. That became the defining moment of our week at sea. It was far from the relaxing, bikini-filled holiday I’d imagined, but I was grateful for the bonding adventure with my family and the complete break from my worries and chores back on land—and to my captain for being so patient with his pessimistic guest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the experience you described ranging from general curiosity to specific survival tips
General Beginner Questions
Q Wait what kind of catamaran trip was this A luxury charter
A It was supposed to be a glamorous weeklong charter The reality was a rough unorganized trip where safety felt like an afterthought
Q Why did you think you were going to die Was there a storm
A Not a major storm but constant unexpected rough seas The boat was rocking violently the crew seemed inexperienced and basic safety gear was either missing or broken
Q Is sailing on a catamaran usually this dangerous
A No Catamarans are generally very stable and safe A wellrun charter with a competent crew is a completely different experience
Q Whats the biggest difference between a glamorous catamaran trip and what you got
A Glamorous gourmet meals cocktails sunbathing and smooth sailing Mine canned food seasickness holding on for dear life and feeling terrified
Common Problems HowTo Questions
Q How could I avoid ending up on a trip like this
A Do your research Read recent reviews on multiple platforms Ask specific questions about the crews experience and the boats safety equipment before you book
Q Whats the 1 red flag to look for in a catamaran charter company
A Vague answers If they cant tell you the captains name their experience level or the boats safety inspection date run away
Q What should I pack for a catamaran trip just in case it goes wrong
A Seasickness meds a personal EPIRB or personal locator beacon a waterproof phone case and a good attitude for bad weather Dont rely on the boats supplies
Q Whats the one thing you wish youd done differently
