Best way to spend 6 weeks off work for sailing?

Gedimin

Gedimin

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Next year I might have a solid period of 6 weeks off work (extended vacation, must be taken in one block). If I had a yacht, there would be no question how to spend this time - just unfurl the sails and off you go. Unfortunately, I am not lucky enough to have my own boat (yet!). So the question is: how to spend this time to gain maximum experience and enjoy it most?

Here are a few options that I have already considered:

1. Charter a boat and go around Great Britain. I saw bareboat charter from 500 a week (28ft boat) which is not too bad, especially if I find someone else to share whole trip or some legs. Looks like an easiest option to be in charge, but will I find a company who would give a boat for such a long time and big distance?

2. Buy a boat, go round GB and then sell it. Sounds like economical idea, but in reality will suck more money and requires much more time for preparation and further selling.

3. Join delivery. Absolutely free, but more work than a holiday or experience. Sailing big distances without stops is not big fun or steep learning curve.

4. Join someone cruising in a nice place. Also free, but might give more experience with anchorages, different ports and manoeuvres. But no real control, junior crew role at best and high dependency on someone I don't know.

5. Bareboat charter outside the UK - think Med or Caribbean. Sounds like a real dream and easier to hire a boat (no need to cover so big distance like around GB), but cost will be prohibitive. Don't have so many sailing friends to share costs throughout the cruise.

6. Hop on some exploration boat like Rubicon 3. Again, easy to do, while cost is just about acceptable. But not in charge. On the other hand, there will be a lot of learning from the skipper and others.

7. Buy a boat share with the aim to take her out for those 6 weeks. If necessary, could always be sold.


Any other thoughts? Are my considerations correct or is it complete mess?

Big WHY
Why do I want this? I am on my way to RYA YM Offshore, building experience. Coastal skipper at the moment. Of course I could take just a week of preparation and pass the exam, but I deliberately want to be overqualified. This not for a career at sea, just for myself.
 
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Not entirely clear as to your objectives when you say" gain maximum experience" ? Are you looking to clock up sea miles or experience of berthing a yacht for example or celestial navigation? There also seems a conflict between budget and objectives? Are you looking for a solo experience or just to sail with someone on a nice yacht ? Would for example flying to say Cyprus and bringing a delivery yacht appeal ? Have you looked at crew sites? Are you looking to learn from others or be your own boss ?
 
Richard10002 said:
Why not do a six week fast track Yachtmaster course, somewhere sunny and tidal?
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I have added a bit more about reasoning in the end of my post. In short: want to gain as much experience at sea as possible, preferably in a skipper position. But my budget is not unlimited, this is why I might consider quality crewing as well.
 
capnsensible said:
Try sailing across an Ocean. You will never regret it. :encouragement:

But if you fancy some fast track, how about somewhere warm?
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I tried delivery from Gib to UK and was bored when crossing Biscay. How crossing the ocean might be exciting? Good to have it as achievement, but the process does not look so nice.
 
Gedimin said:
I have added a bit more about reasoning in the end of my post. In short: want to gain as much experience at sea as possible, preferably in a skipper position. But my budget is not unlimited, this is why I might consider quality crewing as well.
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You'd get both skipper experience and quality crewing with 6 weeks of RYA training. You don't have to buy or rent a whole boat. Your co boaters will have similar goals, and probably change weekly. After a couple of weeks, you will be the expert on board.

There is nothing worse than owning a boat and scrabbling about for crew to sail with you.
 
Based on comments longish legs don't appeal so trips cross atllantic etc seem not to be of interest . Have you looked at any chances to return Med based charter yachts ? Shortish legs compared to Gib to UK and might be some learning? By the sound of it you want skipper experience but will tolerate crewing but might be frustrated. Seems to me that if you are looking to learn you sign up for a course but if you are looking for experience of moving say a Spirit or suchlike yacht you accept crewing role for the experience of sailing on lovely yacht. Best to list priorities maybe but by looks of it you don't seem to be looking for delivery crew trips from say Baltic to U.K.
 
Gedimin said:
I tried delivery from Gib to UK and was bored when crossing Biscay. How crossing the ocean might be exciting? Good to have it as achievement, but the process does not look so nice.
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What are your plans once you get your Offshore?
 
capnsensible said:
Uh.....ok....:confused:

Yeah, well, I suppose long distance sailing doesnt suit everyone. Personally, I find that the challenge of not being 'bored' is all part of sailing. And life. :)
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I found the first Biscay crossing "interesting" as something new but then the second and third boring. No inclination whatsoever to do any very extended passages.
 
Graham376 said:
I found the first Biscay crossing "interesting" as something new but then the second and third boring. No inclination whatsoever to do any very extended passages.
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Got to agree. Done Biscay a few times, and the Azores this summer. I was thinking of an Atlantic circuit next year, but after a few days at sea, I do get bored. Horses for courses, and others will disagree.
 
Lucky people. I've only crossed Biscay once, on a Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry, in November, in a F10. I would not class that as boring as I spent 2 days with my head in the toilet - although the view was a bit repetitive :ambivalence:

I hope that if I ever cross it in a yacht that it is very, very boring :o

To the OP, it is worth offering yourself as crew on weekends between now and your 6 weeks off. You get to meet new skippers and boats which can lead to other sailing opportunities.
 
There comes a point where the way to progress is to be in charge. Ten thousand extra miles as cabin boy on delivery trips, does not really equip you to stick or twist on a marginal forecast, on your own boat.

You will know yourself if you ready for the next stage. You could rent a boat for a few weeks, you would learn a lot, singlehand it and you will learn even more. This would leave time (and cash) for some interesting deliveries as well.

Buying a boat is a chancy business for anybody, particularly the inexperienced. Great for a long term goal but, personally, I would never buy a boat with the expectation that I could resell without losing my shirt.
 
mjcoon said:
Did you mean not being? Seems a strange comment; there's an almost infinite list of things I love not being, like most people...Mike.
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I've read it back a few times and it says to me what I wanted it to say. I'm sure that you didn't think that I should take the 'not' out of the sentence as that would suggest that I love being on almost constant lookout! Which I certainly don't.
 
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