★★★★★
“Made us feel right at home”
Hugh
Tripadvisor · 8 October 2026
PRIVATE SOLENT SAILING · YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY
Sail Beyond Ordinary
Your own private escape on the Solent. Join Dale and Rachel aboard RaRa for sailing, peaceful anchorages and a day shaped around you.
Exclusive use of RaRa · Up to 8 guests · Your skipper & host
Memories made aboard RaRa
In our guests’ own words
Three five-star Tripadvisor reviews. Birthday celebrations, good company and days to remember on the Solent.
★★★★★
“What a great day these guys gave us”
Antony H
Tripadvisor · 8 October 2026
★★★★★
“We had the most incredible day”
Jessi-Lois A
Tripadvisor · 8 October 2026
MEET RARA · MEET YOUR HOSTS
From Greece
to the Solent
An adventure of a lifetime. A passion for the sea. An experience to share.
We’re Dale and Rachel Toms, the husband-and-wife team behind Big Cat Boat Charters. For more than twenty years, we dreamed of owning a boat and exploring beyond the familiar. That dream became RaRa, our Lagoon 39 catamaran, and a voyage of more than 3,000 nautical miles from Greece to our home waters in Hampshire.
RaRa’s name began with Rachel. When the children were young and couldn’t quite say “Rachel,” they called her “RaRa”—an affectionate family name we later gave to our boat. During the passage home, we discovered another meaning that fitted the journey perfectly: Resilience, Adaptability, Resourcefulness and Audacity. Those four qualities summed up what it took to bring her home, giving a name already close to our hearts a whole new significance.
We sailed her across the Mediterranean, through Gibraltar and along the coasts of Portugal and Spain, before crossing the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel. Bringing RaRa home took determination, teamwork and a deep love of the sea. She gave us the adventure of a lifetime—and that adventure is now at the heart of everything we do.
Today, we welcome you aboard from the beautiful Beaulieu River to discover the Solent with us. Our promise, “Sail Beyond Ordinary,” comes from a simple ambition: to give you a day you’ll remember long after you’ve stepped ashore. A peaceful anchorage, a swim from the boat, lunch with friends or a celebration under sail—each private experience is shaped around you.
With Dale at the helm and Rachel hosting, we combine relaxed luxury, thoughtful hospitality and our passion for this coastline. RaRa has already brought us so much. Now we’re excited to share her with you, and help you make memories of your own.
Follow our voyage
We installed a PredictWind DataHub in Palermo and recorded RaRa’s voyage home from there. Explore our tracking page to follow the passage that brought her to the Solent.
Your skipper, Dale · Your host, Rachel
Moments from the journey
Greece, coastal stops and life on passage.
Scroll through the photographs
Discovery Experience
A relaxed private introduction to RaRa and the Solent.
£
850
4 Hours
-
Private use of RaRa
-
Professional skipper & host
-
Soft drinks, Starlink Wi-Fi & sound system
-
Paddleboards, snorkelling & BBQ
Book Now with 30% Deposit
Private experience • Up to 8 guests
Signature Solent Experience
Sail, anchor and explore the Solent aboard RaRa.
£
1150
6 Hours
-
Private use of RaRa
-
Professional skipper & host
-
Soft drinks, Starlink Wi-Fi & sound system
-
Paddleboards, snorkelling & BBQ
Book Now with 30% Deposit
Private experience • Up to 8 guests
Ultimate Solent Experience
A full-day Solent adventure, shaped around you.
£
1400
8 Hours
-
Private use of RaRa
-
Professional skipper & host
-
Soft drinks, Starlink Wi-Fi & sound system
-
Paddleboards, snorkelling & BBQ
Book Now with 30% Deposit
Private experience • Up to 8 guests
Champagne Sundowner
Golden-hour sailing, sunset views and celebration
£
1195
Up to 5 Hours
-
Private use of RaRa
-
Professional skipper & host
-
Soft drinks, Starlink Wi-Fi & sound system
-
4 Bottles Champagne Included
Book Now with 30% Deposit
Private experience • Up to 8 guests
Sea Safari
Discover the wilder side of the Solent: coastal scenery, quiet waters and the chance to spot wildlife along the way.
£
1150
6 Hours
-
Private use of RaRa
-
Professional skipper & host
-
Soft drinks, Starlink Wi-Fi & sound system
-
Wildlife watching & coastal exploration
Book Now with 30% Deposit
Private experience • Up to 8 guests
Bespoke Holidays
Your day. Your destinations. Your pace. Create a private day on the water or a longer escape aboard RaRa, completely tailored to you. Tell us what you love, and we’ll shape the journey together.
Tailored
A day or longer · Quoted for you
-
Private use of RaRa
-
Professional skipper & host
-
Soft drinks, Starlink Wi-Fi & sound system
-
Your itinerary, duration & special touches
Call now to discuss
Speak to Rachel · 07404 675732
YOUR DAY · YOUR WAY
Routes & Itineraries
Start on the Beaulieu River, then let the Solent set the scene. Peaceful anchorages, wildlife, coastal landmarks or lunch ashore—we’ll help shape a route around what you enjoy.
COASTAL LANDMARKS & LUNCH ASHOREThe Needles & western Solent
Explore the western Solent, with the Needles as a possible highlight and time to enjoy the coast along the way. Your map includes a suggested Needles and Solent pubs route.
Build in a harbour stop or lunch ashore if that suits your day. We can help with restaurant arrangements; popular venues need booking ahead. The distance we cover depends on your charter length, tides and conditions.
QUIET WATER & NATURAL SCENERYNature, beaches & bays
Take a slower approach: the Beaulieu River, Newtown Creek and sheltered bays offer ideas for a day focused on scenery and relaxation. The map has separate east and west nature routes to explore.
Look out for coastal birds and marine wildlife, or ask about swimming and paddleboarding when conditions allow. Wildlife sightings are part of the adventure and cannot be guaranteed.
A LONGER DAY ON THE WATERAround the Isle of Wight
Your map includes a whole-day round-the-island route, showing a different perspective on the Isle of Wight’s coastline.
This is an idea to discuss with Dale before booking. Whether a full circuit is suitable depends on the available time, weather, tide and sea conditions; we’ll agree a practical plan and alternatives with you.
PLAN A LONGER ESCAPEBeyond the Solent
The map also includes a two-day route towards Swanage, Poole and Mudeford. It’s inspiration for a longer coastal trip, rather than a fixed itinerary included in a day charter.
Speak to us about the time you have, the places you want to see and arrangements for a bespoke trip. We’ll discuss availability and plan the details together.
These are starting points for your own itinerary. We speak with you before your charter and adapt the plan to the weather, tides and your preferences.
Explore our route map
Suggested routes, South Coast highlights and pickup / drop-off marinas.
Open the map’s menu at the top left to choose a route or show local highlights. Use “View larger map” for more space on your phone.
Have somewhere in mind? Call Rachel to plan your day: 07404 675732
MEET RAPTOR · OUR SISTER FISHING BOAT
Fishing Charters
Great catches. Good company.
A glimpse of the catches, smiles and days at sea aboard Raptor. Scroll or swipe to explore.
The anticipation. The first bite. The story you bring home.
There’s something special about a day spent fishing at sea: the fresh air, the company, the quiet concentration—and that sudden moment when the rod comes alive. Step aboard Raptor, our sister fishing boat, and make time for an adventure on the Solent with friends, family or fellow anglers.
A 10m Redfin sports fisher, Raptor brings a different kind of day on the water to the Big Cat family. Swap the everyday for sea views, shared stories and the excitement of seeing what the next bite might bring. The photographs capture some memorable catches and the people who made those days their own.
Whether you’re planning your first sea-fishing outing or looking forward to another day with a rod in hand, speak to Glenn about the trip you have in mind. He’ll discuss the available options, seasonal fishing, conditions and what suits your group, so you can choose your day with confidence.
Explore our winter and spring trips below, choose your charter and book your date online. For help choosing your trip, email our fishing team. We specialise in small groups, with private charters for a maximum of six anglers.
Book Now
“For bass, bluefin tuna and sharks, Glenn and Harrison Toms bring specialist knowledge, hard-earned experience and a real passion for their craft. This father-and-son team learned from commercial rod-and-line bass skippers, building an understanding of the tides, fishing grounds and techniques that, in my view, puts them among the best bass charter fishermen on the South Coast.
Their bluefin expertise goes beyond the excitement of the catch. Raptor is among the UK boats licensed for Atlantic bluefin tuna catch-and-release fishing, and Glenn and Harrison have been heavily involved in the Cefas CatcH And Release Tag (CHART) scientific data collection programme for Atlantic bluefin tuna. That experience brings a strong focus on fish welfare and the responsible handling of these extraordinary fish.
They bring the same dedication to shark fishing, regularly catching blue sharks, threshers and porbeagles. I rate them among the best shark charter skippers on the South Coast—a team I am proud to be working with.”
Winter & Spring Fishing
We specialise in small-group fishing charters. Bring your friends, family or fishing companions for a private trip with an expert skipper, with the whole boat reserved for your group of up to six anglers.
Solent & inshore half-day
- Private charter · Maximum six anglers
- Expert skipper
- Bacon rolls, tea, coffee & soft drinks
- Optional rods, tackle & bait · £10 per person
Solent & inshore full-day
- Private charter · Maximum six anglers
- Expert skipper
- Bacon rolls, tea, coffee & soft drinks
- Optional rods, tackle & bait · £10 per person
Needles & offshore banks
Up to 6 miles offshore
- Private charter · Maximum six anglers
- Expert skipper
- Bacon rolls, tea, coffee & soft drinks
- Optional rods, tackle & bait · £10 per person
Needles offshore banks & reef
6–12 miles offshore
- Private charter · Maximum six anglers
- Expert skipper
- Bacon rolls, tea, coffee & soft drinks
- Optional rods, tackle & bait · £10 per person
Trip durations include travel to and from the fishing grounds. Trips are subject to weather and tidal conditions.
Fishing enquiries: fishing@bigcatboatcharters.com.
Alternatively, contact bookings@bigcatboatcharters.com.
TEAM DAYS · CLIENT HOSPITALITY · MEDIA & EVENTS
Commercial & Corporate Days
A fresh perspective. A shared adventure.
Some of the best conversations happen when you step away from the everyday. Leave the office ashore and welcome your team or clients aboard RaRa for a private day on the Solent—open horizons, sea air and time to connect in a setting that feels a world away from the usual meeting room.
Reward a team, celebrate a milestone or thank the people who help your business thrive. With exclusive use of our Lagoon 39 catamaran for up to eight guests, your day can be as relaxed or adventurous as you choose: enjoy the sailing, pause in a peaceful anchorage or simply settle into good company with the coastline unfolding around you.
Dale takes the helm and Rachel hosts, bringing the personal care and warm hospitality at the heart of Big Cat to your corporate day. We’ll talk through your group, your occasion and what you’d like to achieve, then shape the itinerary around you, the weather and the tides. It’s a chance to make shared memories and give colleagues and clients something to talk about long after they return ashore.
Commercial charters, filming & event support
RaRa also offers a base on the water for media teams, filming and event coverage. Tell us about your brief, timings and practical requirements, and we’ll work with you to establish a suitable plan and a tailored quote.
During the iQFOiL 2026 event, we hosted the Case Productions media team aboard RaRa for four days. The team flew drones and captured footage for the RYA’s live feeds, using the boat as their base throughout the event. The videos below offer a glimpse of that work on the water.
Make your next team day, client occasion or commercial project something out of the ordinary. Speak to Rachel about your plans, preferred dates and group, and we’ll help bring the day together.
Plan your day with Rachel · 07404 675732Coming for the 2027 season
Fast Thrills Axopar
More adventure. More ways to explore.
Experience the Solent at a different pace. Coming soon, ready for the 2027 season, our Axopar 28 will bring exhilarating sports boat charters and convenient water taxi journeys to Big Cat Boat Charters.
From a spirited day on the water to a journey across the Solent, she’ll complement relaxed sailing aboard RaRa and specialist fishing aboard Raptor. An exciting addition to BCBC’s growing fleet, offering more choice for your time on the water.
- Sports boat charters
- Water taxi journeys
- Complementing RaRa and Raptor
- Coming for the 2027 season
GOOD COMPANY · GREAT DAYS ON THE WATER
Rogues Gallery
Smiles, sunshine and memories aboard RaRa.
Scroll or swipe through all 23 photographs →