About Us

Universal Yachting was formed in 2007 and were appointed as the UK Distributors for Dufour Yachts in September 2015. We now look after owners around the whole of the UK and into the Mediterranean. 

Based in the Solent, Universal provides a complete service for newcomers to yachting, all the way through to cruising ownership and preparing for long distance blue water adventures.

Universal’s Sailing School delivers bespoke sailing tuition and a full range of RYA courses and qualifications. Plus they offer complete guidance and advise on purchasing options for new owners, together with charter and maintenance packages, making owning a yacht and maximising cruising time an easy proposition.

Owner Chris Warwick and his Universal team are passionate about providing all yachts for both charter and training with a very high standard of maintenance and cleanliness, together with using only the best professionally trained yacht skippers.

With detailed and technical expertise and understanding of boats, developed from many years first hand experience running owner care programmes, together with a history of working in the charter industry, Universal takes pride in providing a professional and personal service to all boat owners, charterers and course candidates.

The team’s thirst for sailing, passion and ethos is to find ways to make sailing accessible and fun for all, regardless of experience levels. The sheltered waters of the Solent are one of the best sailing locations in the world to experience sailing at its best, learn to sail from scratch or improve sailing skills.

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Hugh Lumby
Hugh Lumby
2020-10-01
Great short charter, very well looked after, excellent check in and care, very well equipped boat which sailed very well. Highly recommended.
Arian Everett
Arian Everett
2020-10-01
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. Arian
Mike Dormer
Mike Dormer
2020-09-28
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 enough.
Ben Tranter
Ben Tranter
2020-09-13
Just returned from a long weekend charter. Excellent quality yachts in ‘as new’ condition and great team onshore. Highly recommend and will use again.
Felix le corre
Felix le corre
2020-09-02
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.
Ali Simmons
Ali Simmons
2020-08-19
From our initial enquiries through to the post charter handover, everything was efficient, accommodating and friendly. The boat was in great shape and a minor issue was dealt with promptly, resolved with no fuss. Many thanks to Universal. We will charter again!
Darren Owen
Darren Owen
2020-08-10
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.
Sue Savage
Sue Savage
2020-07-22
An awesome post lockdown weeks sailing on “peanuts”. Great weather, sailed throughout the Solent to Poole and back..... great yacht, great experience with Universal, excellent responsive communication and overall experience from booking to check I /check out, support. We wanted to try a Dufour (try before you buy), a great way to sail a nearly new yacht. Great experience, we will be back. Thanks, Sue & Steve.
Charlie Railton
Charlie Railton
2019-10-13
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.
Peter Andrew
Peter Andrew
2019-07-20
You might like to check prior to booking, what the procedure is should you fail the course? Some schools allow you a further weekend's training. On the other hand, Universal Yachting, quotes you a ever changing cost of further tuition starting from £80 and increasing by the day. This school might also like to try and provide an instructor who makes it patently obvious what action it is he wishes the student to complete, not issue ambiguous instructions whilst the student is performing each original task. Perhaps, if they could decide where their offices are located and give clear instructions as to where and when the student is to join the yacht they might project a more professional image. My advice? Go and get trained somewhere else, there are better schools on the South Coast who provide better value for money.

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Camper751
Camper751
2020-10-30
October half -term sailing with Universal Yachting We've just spent the last 5 days on board Boo Boo with the most patient and skilled skipper, Tim Aisher . Yes the weather was windy and wild (as you would expect in October half term), but we had the most amazing time and learnt so much thanks to Tim. If you are looking to learn new skills together as a family , then I can't recommend Universal Yachting in the Hamble highly enough. From our initial enquiry to choosing the right skipper for us as a family and the right boat - there really wasn't anything they hadn't thought of. As for sailing in October half term... it's exhilarating! We will definitely be back.... Liz
Trail479107
Trail479107
2020-10-08
Great Weekend Charter Excellent weekend on Scooby and many thanks to Chris/Wendy and Steve for organising everything so efficiently. We got some great advice from the team and they really went the extra mile to make sure that the charter was a success!
Hugh L
Hugh L
2020-10-01
Great short charter A great few days on Scooby, the 360 Dufour. Very well looked after throughout by Chris, all very simple with excellent check-in and very well equipped boat. Scooby sailed beautifully in very strong winds and very easy to handle. Highly recommended!
BRENDA TRANTER
BRENDA TRANTER
2020-09-21
Boo Boo weekend charter I would like to thank Chris and Melanie for dealing so fairly with a postponement of this trip from last year and to still accommodate us this year during these difficult times. Boo Boo, our yacht was well turned out and handled very well. The administration was simple and handover and checking out efficient. Would definitely recommend Universal and we hope to sail again with them next year. Bren Tranter
JamesF
JamesF
2020-08-26
A week to remember - thanks to Chris and the team Chris and his team are great to deal with and in these times where there are lots of social and practical changes, we got really helpful advice. The boat (Scooby) was very well turned out and we had the best time we could in possibly the highest winds of the season - with 3 on board including one very enthusiastic 5 year old! Many thanks especially to Chris, Steve and Melanie - we will do this again!!
Sonic100
Sonic100
2020-08-25
Week bareboat charter I have just returned from a fabulous week bareboat charter on Anhinga. Universal Yachting were excellent. Very customer focused. Everything went really smoothly and the boat was a joy to sail. Big thank you to the team and I will definitely be back.
andypf1
andypf1
2020-08-19
Sublime Sailing Staycation Excellently maintained modern boats and friendly service from Chris and Melanie. Scooby (Dufour 360) was perfectly kitted out for coastal cruising with a family of four. With settled weather we had a wonderful few days in Studland Bay and Swanage, anchoring south of Brownsea Island at night. The yachts are very clean, spacious and modern, easy to sail and look great!
Simmons1a
Simmons1a
2020-08-19
We will charter again! From our initial enquiries through to the post charter handover, everything was efficient, accommodating and friendly. The boat was in great shape and a minor issue was dealt with promptly with no fuss. Many thanks to Universal. We will charter again.
Chris M
Chris M
2020-08-13
Charter The whole process from booking to sailing was perfect. The yacht (Boo Boo) was also immaculate and Chris couldn't have been more helpful and flexible with our requirements. Thank you Chris, Melanie and Steve, we were all very impressed with Universal Yachting.
RWH
RWH
2020-08-10
Great bareboat charter to The Isles of Scilly Able to walk straight onto spotless a charter yacht and feel entirely comfortable taking 5 children to the Isles of Scilly. Great support before and during the charter. All the team Chris, Melanie and Steve very supportive. Thanks for a great family holiday!
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Universal Yachting Ltd: Mercury Yacht Harbour, Satchell Lane,
Hamble, Southampton, Hampshire SO31 4HQ

Call Us: +44 (0) 2380 458737 Mail: info@universalyachting.com

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