Times are tough at the moment, with a large focus on cost cutting and savings in all walks of life, including your summer holidays.

So a popular question is how to save money on your sailing holiday this year. We've put together a few helpful hints to help you save money at the same time as enjoying your summer sailing holiday.

• Book early for cheaper flight prices

  By booking early you are taking advantage of lower flight prices. Flights are a massive part of the holiday cost so by booking early you take advantage of these prices.

  Many people have been caught out by trying to book late, only to find flights prices through the roof. We know of flight prices at £80 return to many of our destinations - ask us where!

• Book early for early booking yacht discounts

  We have considerable early booking discounts available to people booking early, which gives you great freedom of choice on both the boat and the sailing area.

• Take into account all the costs of the holiday

  Remember that a holiday is made up of various components, not least of all the one's stated above. Therefore you may look to travel to Turkey because you've heard it's cheap, but forget that flights there can be much more expensive and negate any savings made

• Think outside the square on sailing destinations

  My favourite comparison is the Ionian vs. the Saronic. On dates throughout the peak season you can pay up to £200pp MORE for flights to the Ionian than if you flew to Athens and sailed the Saronic Islands. This is money so easily saved.