Coastal Skipper

[ALawson]

Agreed Mark, I was doing it with 20k miles 4 transatlantics and 120 odd days as skipper already in the book. If I was doing it 15-20 years ago them as you state a classroom may reap better learning then just what's on the syllabus.

[ecsrobin]

Just wanted to provide an update for everyone and thank you for the input.

Fishtigua said:

There are crewing opportunities at the Royal Southern and many other yacht clubs on the Solent.

http://www.royal-southern.co.uk/Afloat/Crew-Regist...

Thanks to Fishtigua I registered on the Royal Southern and within a few days I was contacted, after a couple of Sunday's sailing in light conditions in the Solent things slowly started coming back to me. Fortunately work have just put me through Yachtmaster Theory, which I passed.

I have just competed on the same yacht in the Swan Europeans at cowes and then Friday morning it was the start of the RORC Cowes - Dinard/St Malo race. 173 yachts and 20 in our class (IRC 1) we won our class by just shy of 2 minutes and Finished 28th Overall.

Now I look forward to a summer of racing and building my experience so that I can complete my coastal skipper by the end of the year or in the new year.

Thank you for all those who assisted in suggesting ideas.

[Fishtigua]

I love it when a plan comes together.

The Swans are one of the best get togethers going, great crews and lovely boats.

My Step-Dad has been a member of the Royal Southern, until he passed away earlier this year, since just after the war. He and his mates started many of the race series, both power and sail. Have a look for their names in the trophy cabinet, David Simmonds, Mike Rowe and David (Daisy) May, they pretty much won everything for donkey's years.

Yacht Clubs are a great way for getting into the sport and not snobbie at all.

And never forget Rule No.1

When a PH member is in Guernsey, PM Fishy for a beer!