Anyone used Trysail Falmouth

[SteveSarabande]

Anyone been on their courses or trips? I am interested in hearing any feedback

I am interested in their autumn trip Falmouth-Canaries-Cape Verde-Antigua as an RYA ocean qualifier.
http://www.trysail.net/news/2013-2014-Olympus-Ocean-Sailing-Atlantic-Crossing-Caribbean-Charter

 

[jerrytug]

It looks astonishingly expensive, why don't you sign up with some delivery companies? They will always welcome you, if you want ocean miles, the only disadvantage might be timing, if you need to book leave from work etc.

Mind you that is guaranteed to change anyway, on any long run.

 

[FistralG]

I did my day skipper qualification and a cross channel mile builder with them and they are a professional, friendly and knowledgeable people.

Andy the owner is an ex-chef and insists on all the meals on board being freshly prepared from good quality ingredients.:encouragement:

 

[SteveSarabande]

It looks astonishingly expensive, why don't you sign up with some delivery companies? They will always welcome you, if you want ocean miles, the only disadvantage might be timing, if you need to book leave from work etc.

Timing is the issue. I finish my current contract in late October. I can delay starting a new one but I need to be certain there is a trip available. Doing a delivery or Crewseekers trip means being uncertain right up to the last minute. I don't want to spend a wet November cruising the Bristol Channel. . If I don't find work in January then I would be up for a 2nd trip as a delivery.

Expensive it may seem but for 7 weeks sailing it is not much dearer than your average RYA course (~£500pw) The alternative paid route is via the ARC at ~£3500 for 3 weeks. I can do cheap sailing in home waters, but for this adventure I am willing to pay.

There aren't many companies doing ocean qualifiers, most just cross Biscay. If anyone knows of others let me know.

Anyway the reason for the post was more to get some feedback from customers of trysail.

 

[Sandy]

Falmouth-Canaries-Cape Verde-Antigua as an RYA ocean qualifier.

A qualifier for what?

 

[SteveSarabande]

A qualifier for what?

For RYA Ocean Yachtmaster

 

[Sandy]

For RYA Ocean Yachtmaster

I take it this will be an

Ocean passage as skipper or mate of watch.

 

[SteveSarabande]

Of course

 

[MissFitz]

Just to note, AFAIK Biscay does count for the YM Ocean qualification. However, some schools that use it as such do it on boats that are going down for the ARC & aren't coded for more than 60NM offshore (or from a safe haven or whatever it is) unless racing - which is not exactly a blue water adventure & can also make for a painful beat along the north coast of Spain. I made that mistake, would definitely advise anyone thinking of one of these to check before handing over the cash.

 

[TiggerToo]

Anyway the reason for the post was more to get some feedback from customers of trysail.

I am not exactly a "customer": Trysail uses Tigger on its local courses. However, I can certainly recommend Andy Grant as a very dependable and pleasant person to work with. He is trustworthy and knows his job. He has been running these cross-the-pond trips for two years now (the one you will be wanting to do would be his third). Essentially, he relocates to the Carib for the "off season" in Falmouth and continues running a sailing business there (courses and skippered charter on his "big ship").

He is returning to the UK in May, and I am sure you can get in touch with him to discuss any plans/details then.

If you want more direct "customer" feedback, send me a PM, and I can put you in touch with some of the customers I know.

 

[SteveSarabande]

Just to note, AFAIK Biscay does count for the YM Ocean qualification. However, some schools that use it as such do it on boats that are going down for the ARC & aren't coded for more than 60NM offshore (or from a safe haven or whatever it is) unless racing - which is not exactly a blue water adventure & can also make for a painful beat along the north coast of Spain. I made that mistake, would definitely advise anyone thinking of one of these to check before handing over the cash.

Biscay gets the 200nm at over 50nm offshore, you just need to extend it to make it up to 600nm. I have seen quite a few companies offering Solent to Portugal as a qualifier.

 

[SteveSarabande]

I am not exactly a "customer": Trysail uses Tigger on its local courses. However, I can certainly recommend Andy Grant as a very dependable and pleasant person to work with. He is trustworthy and knows his job. He has been running these cross-the-pond trips for two years now (the one you will be wanting to do would be his third). Essentially, he relocates to the Carib for the "off season" in Falmouth and continues running a sailing business there (courses and skippered charter on his "big ship").

He is returning to the UK in May, and I am sure you can get in touch with him to discuss any plans/details then.

If you want more direct "customer" feedback, send me a PM, and I can put you in touch with some of the customers I know.

Thanks for the feedback