Death knell of Sea Schools?

[NotBirdseye]

They'd do a lot better if they moved more of the courses and assessments online!

I mean granted... that's not going to help your sailing experience much... a lot of schools insist on taking a full crew for five days to get the qualification... I mean seriously... I can drive a Articulated Truck without doing a residential course... yet a sailing boat that does around 6kts... >.>;;;

 

[rotrax]

Right, so...

I'm a prospective Day skipper Practical student myself. I've not done any formal theory training mind you, but there's nothing like four weeks away from work to motivate one to pick up the exercise book, plotter and training charts. I think after that and a few enlightening conversations here that I'm not wasting my time going straight to Day Skipper (I'll call it dazed kipper when I've earned it)

I'll be going out when I can, which in Ireland will probably be September at the earliest.

I'll give a few sailing schools a call tomorrow and report back on the off chance that anyone is actually interested in the topic.

First Mate and I used the excellent RYA textbooks for home study and as the YM Therory one had lots of test questions we tested ourselves. When we felt confident in our theory knowledge we used Trinity Sailing in Brixham for practical courses, FM taking DS, I took CS, we were both successful.

Our practical sailing during this training included me making a passage plan to enter and leave the Yealm with a vessel that drew 3 metres while FM did the same for Salcombe and skippered during the night passage.

Best training we ever had.

I have been on boats with Ocean Yachtmasters who I will never sail with again. Conversely, we would happily sail anywhere with a YM Examiner of our aquaintance who is a bit of a mentor and is always challenging us in the right way - getting us to think!

Since then we have had 11 seasons using our own boats covering an average of 2,000 NM each season. Furthest North, Rathlin Island and Portrush, furthest West Dingle, furthest South Guernsey and furthest East Littlehampton.

Small beer compared to some but challenging for us.

Good luck, however you decide to progress.

 

[FlyingGoose]

I have done the theory up to YM offshore and found then excellent on line , via Navahome (others available) I could take my time, dip in and out and really get to understand the course, I really recommended this route too if in Lockdown , a great way to pass the time and learn sailing stuff
Some do not like it and prefer classroom teaching , so be careful this is the route you can handle as once payed
They also say it helps when doing the practical DS course and it all makes more sense,
No Idea as I knew how to practically handle a boat ,a but the Theory courses were fantastic for learning all the little nuances of tidal curves and plotting with wind and drift , right up my wee Aspie Brain ,

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

• The RYA offers more than 100 different theory and practical training courses
• In excess of 250,000 RYA certificates were issued in 2017
• The most popular course in 2017 was RYA Powerboat Level 2, with approximately 30,000 people taking the course
• There are more than 2,400 recognised RYA Training Centres worldwide, with more than 600 of these outside the UK across 58 different countries.
• Almost 15,000 people undertook an RYA ELearning course in 2017

Thats one year. For those who consider it a 'niche'. Who knows how charter companies are gonna fare??

What an empire the RYA has built since 1971(?). Like most industries it needs culling from time to time to remove the "dead wood". Perhaps amendments to the dinghy schemes to reduce the amount of instructors to pupils would be a good start so the courses are not so expensive. Maybe it would be a good thing if dinghy sailing schools go to the wall and Clubs take over and train in a different way to enthuse people at sailing as a sport rather than teaching a dozy pastime overtaken by health and safety caution. In contrast Powerboat Level 2 is so successful because it is a relevent, useful, and above all practical course.
Just to get the discussion back on track and away from endless debates about the virus and on to how sailing schools can adapt to a Post Covid world.

 

[Sharky34]

The OP was indeed a valid question.

In which light, can you show just one of your many posts where you coherently address the question, or even try too?

That's what I mean by idiotic. Perhaps it's what the Lounge is for.

Can you show me where I didn't?

 

[Sharky34]

I have done the theory up to YM offshore and found then excellent on line , via Navahome (others available) I could take my time, dip in and out and really get to understand the course, I really recommended this route too if in Lockdown , a great way to pass the time and learn sailing stuff
Some do not like it and prefer classroom teaching , so be careful this is the route you can handle as once payed
They also say it helps when doing the practical DS course and it all makes more sense,
No Idea as I knew how to practically handle a boat ,a but the Theory courses were fantastic for learning all the little nuances of tidal curves and plotting with wind and drift , right up my wee Aspie Brain ,

Many people, can "handle a boat", but not all are competant 'skippers'.

 

[dom]

Can you show me where I didn't?

I can't find a single example where you addressed the question.

If you can find one great, if not why not try and summarise your key arguments in a new post?

 

[Sharky34]

I can't find a single example where you addressed the question.

If you can find one great, if not why not try and summarise your key arguments in a new post?

So that's a no then, simply grandstanding.

 

[dom]

So that's a no then, simply grandstanding.

No coherent argument then, what a surprise, you are indeed just a troll.

To be fair, the others spotted that a lot earlier!

 

[capnsensible]

I have done the theory up to YM offshore and found then excellent on line , via Navahome (others available) I could take my time, dip in and out and really get to understand the course, I really recommended this route too if in Lockdown , a great way to pass the time and learn sailing stuff

Oodles of people have come to the same conclusion and they have never been busier!

 

[Sharky34]

No coherent argument then, what a surprise, you are indeed just a troll.

To be fair, the others spotted that a lot earlier!

Pot.

 

[dom]

Oodles of people have come to the same conclusion and they have never been busier!

Which is great news with the one small reservation being that the online courses tend to end up being dominated by a few large players with the necessary financial clout and tech wherewithal to build the websites, create the coursework, run the tests, pay to be top of Google search lists, etc. That's certainly what has happened in finance.

There is of course nothing wrong with consolidation, but UK and French sailing schools at least seem to offer a rich tapestry of people, sometimes a little older, who seem to have appeared from every conceivable corner of the global economy. It would be a real shame if this segment was wiped out.

 

[FlyingGoose]

Many people, can "handle a boat", but not all are competent 'skippers'.

Do not really get your point, you really look at obscure and negatives in all posts ,
Define competent . no please don't you also use skipper which really in reference could being in charge of a crew, (plural) but with your antagonistic approach I would expect you to not to be a good Skipper
Handle a boat mmmm . to steer and be in control. is how I see it

 

[NotBirdseye]

Do not really get your point, you really look at obscure and negatives in all posts ,
Define competent . no please don't you also use skipper which really in reference could being in charge of a crew, (plural) but with your antagonistic approach I would expect you to not to be a good Skipper
Handle a boat mmmm . to steer and be in control. is how I see it

That's a pilot isn't it? Any fool can do that. Take the tiller, flick the engine on...away you go. Skipper's surely have to take voyage planning, rules of the sea, stock management, maintenance and an awareness of how their ship will handle under a given situation. I mean anyone can drive but are you a merely a mercedes driver or did you actually pass the driving test .

 

[Sharky34]

Do not really get your point, you really look at obscure and negatives in all posts ,
Define competent . no please don't you also use skipper which really in reference could being in charge of a crew, (plural) but with your antagonistic approach I would expect you to not to be a good Skipper
Handle a boat mmmm . to steer and be in control. is how I see it

Why do you think the RYA, call it a Day Skipper course?
What is the fundamental you are examined on when doing your YM?
Not suprised you don't get my point.

 

[capnsensible]

Which is great news with the one small reservation being that the online courses tend to end up being dominated by a few large players with the necessary financial clout and tech wherewithal to build the websites, create the coursework, run the tests, pay to be top of Google search lists, etc. That's certainly what has happened in finance.

There is of course nothing wrong with consolidation, but UK and French sailing schools at least seem to offer a rich tapestry of people, sometimes a little older, who seem to have appeared from every conceivable corner of the global economy. It would be a real shame if this segment was wiped out.

I think thats where the RYA regulation pays off to keep it out of the hands of Big Training. They have to licence each provider and they tend to be a couple of founders with the smarts plus two or three online trainers. Keeps the fun side going.

 

[laika]

I took a break from paid employment at the beginning of March with a plan to take the boat to plymouth, put it ashore and alternate the early part of the summer between a refit and courses which have long been on my list. Well so much for that plan. Meantime...I would have thought there were elements of the medical care on board ship and GOC courses which could have been done remotely, perhaps with any evaluation of necessarily "hands-on/on-premises" elements staggered to maximise the opportunity for social distancing. Obviously implementing a partially online course will take time but UKSA (who were quick to get back to me) have no plans in that direction. Instructor courses which are necessarily more hands-on/boat-based are also simply "on hold". Same questions to Warsash and Hamble School of Yachting currently awaiting a reply but I suspect it'll be the same.

Revision of stuff I know already is somewhat hampered by all my books including first aid and gmdss being on the boat I can't get at...

 

[FlyingGoose]

Why do you think the RYA, call it a Day Skipper course?
What is the fundamental you are examined on when doing your YM?
Not suprised you don't get my point.

One does not need to do a course to be a competent skipper , you are arguing for the sake of it . plenty experienced sailors out there with no qualifications
The theory goes into great detail of the maths and the principals of good navigation work and safety , all can be learned out with a course,
A practical course OFC is a great way for a beginner to learn in a fast and intensive environment, there are many aspects to learning a skill one one person is always different to another .
This view of all circles fit all holes is dated and has been challenged many times . Just because you have an opinion never means your right

 

[FlyingGoose]

That's a pilot isn't it? Any fool can do that. Take the tiller, flick the engine on...away you go. Skipper's surely have to take voyage planning, rules of the sea, stock management, maintenance and an awareness of how their ship will handle under a given situation. I mean anyone can drive but are you a merely a mercedes driver or did you actually pass the driving test .

A play on words, who defines a good skipper , what is a good skipper , were does one learn to be a good skipper ,
The only way to learn is to go forth and do. read , do courses if you want , learn of someone else , but a true skill can only be learned by doing it repetitively the right way , this will allow good reaction skills to what is needed at he time

 

[Sharky34]

Why do you think the RYA, call it a Day Skipper course?
What is the fundamental you are examined on when doing your YM?
Not suprised you don't get my point.

One does not need to do a course to be a competent skipper , you are arguing for the sake of it . plenty experienced sailors out there with no qualifications
The theory goes into great detail of the maths and the principals of good navigation work and safety , all can be learned out with a course,
A practical course OFC is a great way for a beginner to learn in a fast and intensive environment, there are many aspects to learning a skill one one person is always different to another .
This view of all circles fit all holes is dated and has been challenged many times . Just because you have an opinion never means your right

One does, when the topic is about Sea Schools.
Ah, I forgot, you haven't been on one, so have no idea what they entail.