fast tracks

[newtothis]

Does anyone have any experience of any of the UK schools offering fast track yachtmaster courses? I've looked into a couple and both seem good, although offering different amounts of training. Looking for any recommendations from personal experience or otherwise.
PS, I know the topic of zero-to-hero divides opinion almost to the same extent as anchors but I'm just looking for opinions on the different courses offered, not a reasoned debate on the pros or cons of the fast track principle.
Thx
J

 

[dunedin]

Not done one myself but sailed on a big boat with some of the guys near the end of their course at Cumbrae and they seemed very happy with their instructors and course.
The certainly sailed some pretty nice waters during their long training period, which may make things more interesting

 

[Talulah]

I had a client who had done the zero to hero at UKSA. He was very pleased with it.
I can also say that he was very good.
One of the advantages with UKSA is they use different boats throughout the course giving a broad experience as possible.
A smaller school would not be able to offer the same variety.
(I am not connected to UKSA.)

 

[auditdata]

My daughter did the commercial yachtmaster at UKSA last year and had a fabulous time. She went as a useful crew on family sailing holidays in the med to return and take my 40 footer full chat gybing up the menai straits with me watching on. She had never been on the boat before and I was not the skipper that day. She also grew up. She loved the course and the people. Met her partner who was doing the Ocean graduate and they are now running a 55 footer in Port Grimaud here http://www.dreamsailing.com/yacht-fleet/sailing-yacht-DreamCatcher.php
PM me if you want contact details.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

We get quite a few fast trackers crewing for us on deliveries. UKSA seem to always be highly regarded by the students, and the students also realise that they need to gain "real life" experience following their courses (hence often going onto deliveries).

A school is only as good as the instructor teaching you, and many of them are freelancers, so to a certain extent it is pot luck. UKSA seem to have a bit of a monopoly with the fast track approach. They have good facilities and a variety of boats and I have had no problem with the graduate crew we have taken on from there.

Best of luck,

Pete

 

[John.edwards]

although not mainland Britain, I was impressed by Allabroad in Gibraltar. What I liked was that they allowed me to slot into a fast track class for 2-3 weeks for the stage I was at. The opportunity to dip in and out and get previously developed skills recognised is very important if you decide you are not going to commit to the full 17 odd weeks. I was signed off at Coastal skipper and advised what i needed to focus on to get up for my yachtmaster offshore. completed that a year later at the Whitsundays in Australia. Now a RYA Cruising instructor and planning my YM Ocean around november.

The opportunity to sail different vessels is also a significant benefit.