It is not that often that you can pick a day in April and be promised a perfect day’s sail in the Solent, but that is exactly what Valhalla Yachting delivered. I, and a number of other individuals from the media, were invited by Sue Mongey from Valhalla Yachting to enjoy the hospitality and sailing experience on a pair of Swan 55s, currently moored in Swanwick Marina on the Hamble.

These two pedigree Sparkman & Stephens-designed Swans, Valhalla and Galiana, both built in the early 1970s, represent the very best of a superb classic design coupled with outstanding sailing performance. Aging gracefully, both yachts are deserving of the attention bestowed on them by a permanent and active crew who maintain them to an immaculate standard. Galiana has undergone a recent refit which befits her lineage as the second Swan 55 to be completed, whilst Valhalla, the last of the 55s to be built, was refitted by Camper and Nicholson in the mid-nineties.

Both yachts are available individually or as a pair for private charter or corporate days, and come complete with captain and hostess, plus the use of an 8.5-metre RIB. If you get bored cruising under sail at 6 knots plus and want to energise at high speeds, wave jumping the wakes of passing ships or speeding power boats and ferries on their way to Cowes at 45 mph will certainly have the desired effect.

The charter package options come in flexible formats depending on your requirements. Both yachts take up to 12 guests, and can be raced against each other, or sailed individually. Either way, both the experienced and inexperienced can take a turn at a winch or the helm, and over the course of a few hours learn the rudiments of sailing. Options include corporate days, private charter, Meet and Sail package, Team Development event, or a Racing Strategy challenge, and start at £1,950 +VAT a day for up to twelve people.

Whichever option you choose there is no need to worry about being too far away from sustenance. The food that we were served (and I was assured this was the norm) would not have been out of place at a Buckingham Palace tea party. From the minute we stepped on board a constant stream of delicious delicacies made their way up from the galley: goat’s cheese stuffed figs wrapped in parma ham, king prawns saturated in chilli, mini Yorkshires piled high with horseradish and rare roast beef. And if that wasn’t enough, steaming cups of fresh carrot soup with vast slabs of homemade sundried tomato bread were handed around.
A full afternoon tea was provided prior to disembarking with platters filled with scones and clotted cream, sumptuous moist chocolate brownies and, for those concerned about their five-a-day quota, huge strawberries dipped in chocolate. It would be remiss of me not to mention the company who supplied this feast – in fact I might just call them for a landlubber’s party I am due to host.

Editor’s Note: Find more information at Valhalla Yachting.