Chris started his career in the sailing industry teaching sailing abroad for Sunsail and after a few seasons came back to the UK to take up teaching RYA courses. Soon after Chris took on the role of running Sunsail's UK fleet out of Port Solent and after 8 years Chris left as Operations Manager being responsible for a fleet of over 50 yachts.
Chris then joined Ancasta International Boat Sales in 1998 and for the following 9 years provided loyal service as Operations Manager responsible for running Ancasta's Commissioning and Aftersales department dealing with brands such as Beneteau, Lagoon, Rodman Motor Yachts, Bavaria Motor Boats, Marten Yachts & Fairline.
Chris then joined Ancasta International Boat Sales in 1998 and for the following 9 years provided loyal service as Operations Manager responsible for running Ancasta's Commissioning and Aftersales department dealing with brands such as Beneteau, Lagoon, Rodman Motor Yachts, Bavaria Motor Boats, Marten Yachts & Fairline.
Services
In 1957 a mechanical engineer named Michel Dufour, became convinced that composite technologies and materials would transform the marine industry. He envisioned that extraordinary adventures would be achievable by ordinary people and founded Dufour Yachts in La Rochelle, France, where it stands today as one of the worlds largest sailboat builders.
We are always happy to meet up with you at our offices in Hamble and with the generosity of our owners we can normally show you around most of the models in the range locally by appointment. We also routinely attend a number of the main UK & European Boat Shows where you will find us on hand to discuss your sailing plans and show you around the latest models.
Buy a new Dufour Yacht and place it into our Solent Charter Fleet to generate an income and offset the costs of ownership whilst still having full access and use of the boat. As UK Dealers for Dufour Yachts we are able to offer very attractive packages on the purchase of a new yacht entering our fleet.
Explore the Solent sailing on your own with a bareboat charter. With no restrictions on when and where you can go this is the ultimate way to spend your sailing time. To take a bareboat charter in the Solent, 2 members of the party (the skipper and first mate) need to have at least a RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification or have skippering/sailing experience on a yacht close to the size you are chartering.
We are seeing an increased demand in UK Yacht Charters as people are choosing to stay in the UK for their holidays. Whilst our charter operation is currently not able to operate due to current lock down restrictions. If you wish to start planning this years summer sailing trip then please do talk to us now.
Reviews (12)
Rob French
Nov 02, 2021
Report
The Universal boats are well maintained and nice condition. Excellent service from universal and an excellent instructor. The marina is one of the more compact and quieter ones in the area which we liked. It's a good location to quickly get into the Solent, it's not even a minute from your car to your boat and it's nicely sheltered for a night on the boat.
Helen Watson
Aug 01, 2021
Report
We had a great day’s sailing yesterday on a beautiful comfortable yacht, thank you. The skipper Peter was great. Confidence inspiring, a great tea maker who made the day fun and relaxed with lots of sailing. There was opportunity for doing as much or as little as you wanted. Setting off after a short briefing the day was spent sailing around the Solent in a decent breeze. We were a party of 3, mixing up with 4 others. All interesting and enjoyable company. Would love to do it again, great value for money. Definitely recommend to anyone who just wants a day’s sailing.
Richard Thomas
Jul 29, 2021
Report
Positive: Professionalism
Fantastic pop-up day sailing well organised by Universal. The Dufour 412 is a pleasure to spend time on and is presented in immaculate condition. Our skipper for the day was Peter who is in a class of his own, hugely experienced, safe but friendly and a great teacher. I would urge others to use Universal.
Fantastic pop-up day sailing well organised by Universal. The Dufour 412 is a pleasure to spend time on and is presented in immaculate condition. Our skipper for the day was Peter who is in a class of his own, hugely experienced, safe but friendly and a great teacher. I would urge others to use Universal.
Ian S.
Jul 09, 2021
Report
David Hage
Jul 02, 2021
Report
Giles Usher
Jun 15, 2021
Report
Another fantastic weekend away with Universal! This is the fourth time we have chartered a yacht for a weekend away in the Solent! The boats are well prepepared and to a high standard, we had Scooby for four of us in comfort. Chris & Mel the owners both have a huge experience of sailing and the charter business so nothing is too much trouble! If you are looking for a sailing course or a bare boat charter in the Solent or further afield then look no further, highly recommended!
Charles Williams
Apr 13, 2021
Report
I did a Bareboat Charter with one of Universal Yachting's Dufour's (36) around the Solent area as a staycation post the easing of lockdown. The process of the hire was very easy and documentation clear and logical. The handover's at the start and end of hire were very easy. Chris, Melanie and Steve were very helpful and friendly throughout and clearly have a lot knowledge and are genuinely interested in making sure you have the best time possible.
The yacht itself was beautiful, well presented, well looked after. Very easy to sail and kitted out to the Ying Yang. Everything was very Covid Safe
The yacht itself was beautiful, well presented, well looked after. Very easy to sail and kitted out to the Ying Yang. Everything was very Covid Safe
Arian Everett
Oct 07, 2020
Report
We chartered “Snagglepuss” Dufour 412 from Universal September 2020. We did this at very short notice 5 days before the charter. The process was extremely professional with a very slick web portal to upload Skipper and Crew Details for both an ease of admin for Universal and for our Safety.
The yacht was extremely well equipped, easy to sail and very fast. The living area was very comfortable and the shower was notably warm and powerful.
I would highly recommend chartering with Universal, both their Boats and People and of course based in an easy accessible Marina with good parking and facilities
The yacht was extremely well equipped, easy to sail and very fast. The living area was very comfortable and the shower was notably warm and powerful.
I would highly recommend chartering with Universal, both their Boats and People and of course based in an easy accessible Marina with good parking and facilities
Felix Le Corre
Sep 15, 2020
Report
Excellent sailboats in impeccable condition.
Great company with a good selection of sailboats (half a dozen of different size). We had a Dufour 412 for a 4 day period. This is the second time we use the company. Both times have been great. Skippers provided were very professional and courteous. Boats look and feel like new. Even if a family had the boat just before us, it was clean like a 5 star hotel room. I understand they also use ozone treatment during Covid to ensure health and safety. Keen to use them again. A great way to discover the Solent region and ports.
Great company with a good selection of sailboats (half a dozen of different size). We had a Dufour 412 for a 4 day period. This is the second time we use the company. Both times have been great. Skippers provided were very professional and courteous. Boats look and feel like new. Even if a family had the boat just before us, it was clean like a 5 star hotel room. I understand they also use ozone treatment during Covid to ensure health and safety. Keen to use them again. A great way to discover the Solent region and ports.
Mike Dormer
Jul 25, 2020
Report
Chris Warwick at Universal Yachting handled the sale of our boat brilliantly. Within a couple of days of contacting him the boat was photographed, spec written and up on the Universal website. A potential buyer appeared a few days later, came to see the boat and made an offer close to the asking price. Following a survey some items needed to be addressed. Chris organised this for us. A few days later the sale was completed and the boat transferred to the new owners.
The whole process was stress free and Chris kept us fully informed at every stage. I can’t recommend Universal Yachting highly
The whole process was stress free and Chris kept us fully informed at every stage. I can’t recommend Universal Yachting highly
Darren Owen
Jul 18, 2020
Report
Yacht Charter at Universal Yachting is brilliant. From first enquiry to hand back was friendly, flexible, professional and personal. The yachts are maintained in super condition throughout and with the location at Mercury Marina Hamble, our charter experience was just perfect.
Many thanks to Chris, Melanie and team.
Many thanks to Chris, Melanie and team.
Charlie Railton
Sep 20, 2019
Report
I did my Coastal Skipper 5 day practical with Universal Yachting and had a great time. The boat was practically new and a great boat to sail with the best living accommodation that I have seen on a school boat. Our instructor - Stuart Dray, was absolutely brilliant and I left with greatly improved skills and knowledge. Universal don't overcrowd their school boats so you get adequate time to focus on each area of the course.
