Brand Spanking Newbie Looking for Southern School

[GruffT]

Hey All,

No it's not a personal ad...

I'm looking for the right place to learn to sail (RYA Competent Crew) on the south coast (out of SW London) but the options seem endless! I've got an eye on moving on to Day Skipper for hols and maybe racing but overall want a quick moving, fun week aboard.

Any recommendations / suggestions?

Gruff

ps. Sorry if this has been covered 1 million times before.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Southern Sailing is the usual recommendation 'round these parts

 

[Spuddy]

Southern Sailing as Ken sez. Apparently their boats are old and battered so literal pontoon bashing is ok. I've been to Hamble School of Sailing a few times and found them beyond reproach - they can choose very competent and enthusiastic skippers. The best week I did was with a one man band up on the Clyde but such small operations can be a bit more hit and miss. I'd guess whoever you choose it's going to be an almost identical recipe to tick the boxes in the RYA syllabus; one difference would be the teaching talent of skipper: patience and ability to communicate.

 

[Boomshanka]

Just did my Day Skipper (theory and practical) with Hot Liquid Learnt loads and it was fun at the same time... Instructors were excellent, Baveria 36s were all up to date.

 

[wetstuff]

Hi Gruff,

If you are looking for a fun week, with a school that can take you from beginner and offer you racing ( and cruising) opportunities then do have a look at wetstuff.org.uk

Have to admit I am biased ( it being my company), but I reckon we have a fun boat to sail - with 4 students rather than 5 for mid-week courses- and high standards.

If you have any questions, then do please drop me a PM

Cheers,

John

 

[Richard10002]

Thought this was useful... and applicable whichever sailing school is used

http://www.wetstuff.org.uk/trainingtips.htm

especially the bit about having fun and pearning, rather than ticking boxes for the "ticket".

 

[jimi]

Richard, I'm worried about you. Spanking and pearning, you'll be gurning soon!

 

[copterdoctor]

BOSS at Hamble. Great people take good care of you.

Simon

 

[ChrisE]

Another vote for Southern Sailing, they are usually good for last minute deals. I did my YM plus some own boat tutition with them, don't expect new boats or good food* but the sea sense of their skippers can't be faulted.

*the skippers I've been with aren't averse to eating in pubs, oh dear what a shame.

 

[Kilter]

These are good

 

[gregmlucas]

I've used and can recommend Four Winds Sailing based at Beaulieu for both Comp Crew and Dazed Kipper. Good clean boats, professional instructors and great food. Excellent value for money.

 

[Sailfree]

The RYA set a fairly high standard for Yachtmaster Instructors (as evidenced by the failure rate) so most places will be ok.

For Comp Crew go to the boat show and go for best show offer but take into consideration numbers on course as well.

For Day skipper the tides in the Solent make it a good learning curve but if you want more emphasis on a holiday go to Gibraltar, it still counts as a tidal qualification and you get a sail to N Africa thrown in with the hotter/better weather. Please recognise though the only way to learn berthing a boat with the tide racing through the marina is really somewhere like the Solent. We did DS in Gibraltar but did an evening of pontoon bashing after and we also had our own boat to practice with!!

 

[arfa]

Have used four winds for my dazed kipper - nice place to sail from although don't count on getting fed at the master builder in bucklers hard (another story, another grouse). Very happy with Four Winds being thorough and their training.

 

[GruffT]

Thanks all. See you on the sea!