Changmoh is not a blog that bangs on about hopelessly expensive things to do like chartering luxury yachts or buying wildly expensive clothes. And now, in the very same breath, I am going to proceed to tell you why I think hiring a yacht is actually a great idea and – here’s the scoop – relatively *affordable* for a day out with a difference.

Blue Star Yachting asked me on their recent press trip that set sail last Thursday evening from the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, 10 minutes down the road from me, off West Coast Road. There was also to be an on-board wine tasting. I can think of worse ways to while away an evening; quick as a flash, I wrote a three-word email in reply to the lovely invitation: I am there.

I feel so at home on boats that there is no stopping me – this was taken about 10 seconds after I stepped on board:

What’s interesting about this particular boat is that it’s not painstakingly done up. It’s in perfectly good condition but, equally, you don’t feel nervous about sitting down in case of trashing the white leather seats with your glass of red. They looked perfectly wipeable and, in fact, I don’t think they were real leather.

It is exactly this sort of boat that I’d like to hire for a party. And that’s what these guys do, they rent it out for five hours – or more – and whip you round Singapore’s outlying islands while you loll about and relax.

Now is probably as good a time as any to add that it’s a luxury catamaran, not a yacht, but who cares? It looks the part with a motor and sails (it’s the one in the foreground) and – crucially – a crew and Captain.

If you’re hiring it you can bring your own booze as well as your own food – although bringing food attracts a small surcharge (technically referred to as food corkage, which is a term that always makes me smile, but it is worth it I’d say). They can cook for you if you’d rather. There is an onboard BBQ which I am dying to have a go on:

Not sure what to wear? CP came with me and rocked it in a fabulous navy day dress with a very cool nautical knotted necklace. It came from Edit Lifestyle in Tudor Court.

The trip was a lovely way to get some much needed space as well as feel the wind in your hair (it has been blisteringly hot recently, I find I have daily cravings for even the slightest of breezes)

There’s a hammock on board as well as two web-like nets (see 2nd picture) that you can also sit around as well as on and plenty of other seating. Max capacity for the whole boat is 37 people, but as with so much in life, less is more.

I am going to hire it and organise a five-hour weekend cruise with 23 friends – we can all chip in. That works out as a grand total (not, obviously, including booze and food, which we would bring separately, or the one-off $200 food corkage charge) of $141 per person which, I have to say, I don’t think is bad. Up the numbers and it’s even cheaper. Do your cruise on a weekday – it’s cheaper still.

I think timing it with a sunset is a nice idea as I never get to appreciate one properly here in Sing – firstly because being on the equator the sun sinks terribly fast – blink and you miss it – and secondly, all the buildings are so high they stop you having a clear view of an open stretch of sky. Leaving RSYC around 5.30pm and returning about 10.30pm works well and you can even catch the odd firework:

The other thing I loved? Your captain is a very capable lady, Celine.

The four hour cruise we did on Thursday was around Singapore’s southern islands of Lazarus (Palau Sakijang Pelepah), St John’s (Pulau Sakijang Bendera) and Sisters’ – all only a few miles away from the mainland.

For more information, rates and cruise details, click here.

Wines were from Australia and New Zealand and courtesy of Wine Directions.