Getting Sailing
Discussion
For a time have been considering a holiday home somewhere hot in Europe but not fanatic with sitting by the pool for long periods. Have always liked boats and learnt to sale in Oppys Toppers Lazers Cadets Larks etc on inland reservoirs as a young lad. Have also spent a little time on cruising down the coast of France in a friends parents yacht
Now want to buy a family size yacht to cruise the Med initially. Where should I start with my training
Now want to buy a family size yacht to cruise the Med initially. Where should I start with my training
I got going with Sunsail. I booked a week at one of their beachclubs that offered their yacht skipper course, followed imedietly by a week on a flotilla. It was great fun and a fantastic holiday, if only a little pricey.
The advantage was that it got me sailing on a yacht in the Med in the quickest possible timescale.
The disadvantage was that the Sunsail course is only recognised in house and only allows flotilla sailing (not bareboat).
Don't let that put you off though, the flotilla sailing was a great way to build confidence but offered an amount of freedom. I came back and did my RYA day skipper's course off the back of it which allows you to apply for an ICC (International Competance Certificate). You'll need an ICC to sail in more controlled European waters (Italy for example).
I hope this helps.
Olly
The advantage was that it got me sailing on a yacht in the Med in the quickest possible timescale.
The disadvantage was that the Sunsail course is only recognised in house and only allows flotilla sailing (not bareboat).
Don't let that put you off though, the flotilla sailing was a great way to build confidence but offered an amount of freedom. I came back and did my RYA day skipper's course off the back of it which allows you to apply for an ICC (International Competance Certificate). You'll need an ICC to sail in more controlled European waters (Italy for example).
I hope this helps.
Olly
I would recommend a flotilla as well, in terms of formal qualifications etc, I don't think you need any, we have now been on 2 flotillas and the level of experience was pretty low in most cases,
When we went on our first flotilla last year, we were expecting to be the least experienced on our Flotilla but turned out to be the most experienced. We (both the Mrs and I) have a competent crew certificate but many others had nothing. The family on the yacht next to us had zero experience whatsoever. If you read the guide they send you before you go, you would be ahead of several of the group on our first flot.
We went with http://www.sailingholidays.com/ and they were absolutely superb, from the up front brochures / harbour guides / organisation etc to the lead crew that were with us throughout the holiday.
On the flotilla, you end up with a dozen or so other boats and a crew on a lead boat to help you out if you need it. We didn't ever have to call on them although others did.
We went round the South Ionian and visited several Islands and harbours in the area. The lead crew are there to help you in and out each day although it is not that difficult. We have since been back and done another holiday with them in the Saronic gulf which was excellent, sailing to hydra and through the channel at Poros were both excellent.
The yachts are in superb nick and most have sat nav etc so you can't go wrong.
We can't recommend them highly enough...
Bob
When we went on our first flotilla last year, we were expecting to be the least experienced on our Flotilla but turned out to be the most experienced. We (both the Mrs and I) have a competent crew certificate but many others had nothing. The family on the yacht next to us had zero experience whatsoever. If you read the guide they send you before you go, you would be ahead of several of the group on our first flot.
We went with http://www.sailingholidays.com/ and they were absolutely superb, from the up front brochures / harbour guides / organisation etc to the lead crew that were with us throughout the holiday.
On the flotilla, you end up with a dozen or so other boats and a crew on a lead boat to help you out if you need it. We didn't ever have to call on them although others did.
We went round the South Ionian and visited several Islands and harbours in the area. The lead crew are there to help you in and out each day although it is not that difficult. We have since been back and done another holiday with them in the Saronic gulf which was excellent, sailing to hydra and through the channel at Poros were both excellent.
The yachts are in superb nick and most have sat nav etc so you can't go wrong.
We can't recommend them highly enough...
Bob
Learning to sail in the med is nice, but it's not tidal.
So whatever training you do, you'll be restricted to non tidal waters.
The Med is also not a cheap place to keep a boat.
I would say bite the bullet, and learn to sail in the Solent.
Lots going on, and tidal will keep you on your toes, and get you a tidal ticket.
(There's also plenty of pubs to tie up close to in the evenings
)
Then you'll be set to move further afield and broaden your horizons when you get fed up with the fickle and sometimes nasty weather in the Med.
So whatever training you do, you'll be restricted to non tidal waters.
The Med is also not a cheap place to keep a boat.
I would say bite the bullet, and learn to sail in the Solent.
Lots going on, and tidal will keep you on your toes, and get you a tidal ticket.
(There's also plenty of pubs to tie up close to in the evenings
)Then you'll be set to move further afield and broaden your horizons when you get fed up with the fickle and sometimes nasty weather in the Med.
Get yourself on a RYA Day Skipper course in the UK in the Spring or Autumn. That should prepare you for most of what the Med can throw at you.
Then do a week or two flotilla in the Med. That'll introduce you to the local habits - stern to mooring, kedge anchors, line ashore, scrounging water, holding tanks, shouting at Germans who think they own the bay, wearing earplugs for east Europeans who don't know how to talk quietly or go to bed before 4 a.m etc.
The conversion to ICC should mean you'll be able to do bareboat after that (assuming you still like it!)
Then do a week or two flotilla in the Med. That'll introduce you to the local habits - stern to mooring, kedge anchors, line ashore, scrounging water, holding tanks, shouting at Germans who think they own the bay, wearing earplugs for east Europeans who don't know how to talk quietly or go to bed before 4 a.m etc.
The conversion to ICC should mean you'll be able to do bareboat after that (assuming you still like it!)
Redarress said:
Ok guys thanks for the input.
I am based in Northants so East Coast tuition would probably be easier due to distance. Would like to get proper cirtification. How should I proceed
I still think the Solent is the best place to do it. Don't forget you'll be living on the boat for a week, so it's not as if you'll be going back and forth.I am based in Northants so East Coast tuition would probably be easier due to distance. Would like to get proper cirtification. How should I proceed
I lived in Warwickshire when I did mine, so I would tie in a week of classromm for the theory, followed by a weeks practical on board.
You could go home for the weekend in between or B&B.
mickrick said:
Learning to sail in the med is nice, but it's not tidal.
So whatever training you do, you'll be restricted to non tidal waters.
The Med is also not a cheap place to keep a boat.
I would say bite the bullet, and learn to sail in the Solent.
Lots going on, and tidal will keep you on your toes, and get you a tidal ticket.
(There's also plenty of pubs to tie up close to in the evenings )
Then you'll be set to move further afield and broaden your horizons when you get fed up with the fickle and sometimes nasty weather in the Med.
Thought the RYA classify the med upto Duquesa, as being tidal? Thats where I was planning to do my day skipper (not in duquesa, but that area). So whatever training you do, you'll be restricted to non tidal waters.
The Med is also not a cheap place to keep a boat.
I would say bite the bullet, and learn to sail in the Solent.
Lots going on, and tidal will keep you on your toes, and get you a tidal ticket.
(There's also plenty of pubs to tie up close to in the evenings
)Then you'll be set to move further afield and broaden your horizons when you get fed up with the fickle and sometimes nasty weather in the Med.
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