Best way to spend 6 weeks off work for sailing?

[Gedimin]

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.

I agree that skippering is the way to go, but after a few charters on my own I feel I might benefit from doing similar thing with instructor on board. Not to help me out, but to get more advice and to absorb even more experience quicker.

 

[Gedimin]

What are your plans once you get your Offshore?

That's a key question, isnt't it? =) Bizarrely, I don't have the answer yet. Not quitting the job for a new marine career (or just yet: office job pays well, but some day might be fed up). I just want to raise my sailing level significantly above 'amateur' level, do it for myself. Later will decide what to do with this knowledge, obviously it won't be wasted.

Will probably do occasional deliveries. Initially as crew and mate, later maybe some paid ones as well. I know that in this world YM OS is a must have to progress. It contradicts a bit with not having fun from crossing Biscay, but it is just until I am in charge - this is where it is all getting exciting.

 

[mjcoon]

I agree that skippering is the way to go, but after a few charters on my own I feel I might benefit from doing similar thing with instructor on board. Not to help me out, but to get more advice and to absorb even more experience quicker.

Do charters usually allow singlehanding?

Mike.

 

[zoidberg]

I'm tempted to think that if I considered paying someone to deliver my boat for me, I'd want them to be so deeply-experienced in avoiding 'challenging situations' that I'd hear the bored yawns from here.

Excitement ( and worse ) I can organise for myself.....

 

[Wansworth]

I think he means taking full responsibility adds that edge which being crew doesn’t!

 

[Gedimin]

I think he means taking full responsibility adds that edge which being crew doesn’t!

Exactly. Being in charge of delivery makes whole lot of difference rather than being a crew

 

[capnsensible]

Exactly. Being in charge of delivery makes whole lot of difference rather than being a crew

Chicken and egg. You won't get a job delivering a yacht as skipper without being a commercially endorsed Yachtmaster offshore with experience of having completed deliveries.

There aren't really any short cuts.

Good luck with your final choice.

 

[LadyInBed]

Exactly. Being in charge of delivery makes whole lot of difference rather than being a crew

My offer is still open.

 

[[70521]]

That's a key question, isnt't it? =) Bizarrely, I don't have the answer yet. Not quitting the job for a new marine career (or just yet: office job pays well, but some day might be fed up). I just want to raise my sailing level significantly above 'amateur' level, do it for myself. Later will decide what to do with this knowledge, obviously it won't be wasted.

Afraid it is.

Good luck with whatever you do.