If you could train anywhere in the world?

[AndrewB]

I guess it depends on what part of the Yachtmaster practical you find most challenging. For me, it was manoevering at close quarters in tight marinas and harbours with a fast tidal current running through. So the Solent, which has more of these in close proximity than anywhere else, was ideal. Of course it is quite sheltered, so not best if the challenge of boat handling and MOB drill in rough seas is what you most want. Nor a maze of tricky sand/mudbanks if it's your pilotage skills that most need honing.

 

[zoidberg]

Auckland and the Firth of Thames -- winter sunshine, good cheap wine, speak English ( of a sort ), kiwi fruit, lots and lots of places to anchor/moor alongside/have beach barbecues. Try that along the shores of Lake Solent!

Failing that, South Brittany out of the French school holidays season. See above.

Solent is b-o-r-i-ng. You're welcome to it....

 

[Wing Mark]

I guess it depends on what part of the Yachtmaster practical you find most challenging. For me, it was manoevering at close quarters in tight marinas and harbours with a fast tidal current running through. So the Solent, which has more of these in close proximity than anywhere else, was ideal. Of course it is quite sheltered, so not best if the challenge of boat handling and MOB drill in rough seas is what you most want. Nor a maze of tricky sand/mudbanks if it's your pilotage skills that most need honing.

Exactly.
A lot of people don't seem to understand that YM is a qualification to be in charge of a vessel with crew.
A big part of it is 'man management' , running the ship, not steering or sailing it as a singlehander.
It's not about being the best helmsman or pilot, although those skills are valuable.
It's about being in charge and responsible as skipper, looking after people , not just a lump of GRP.

There are a few very god helms I could name who I'd not lend my boat to.
People looking for the best venue to do YM have probably already missed the point.

 

[Poignard]

I guess it depends on what part of the Yachtmaster practical you find most challenging. For me, it was manoevering at close quarters in tight marinas and harbours with a fast tidal current running through. So the Solent, which has more of these in close proximity than anywhere else, was ideal. Of course it is quite sheltered, so not best if the challenge of boat handling and MOB drill in rough seas is what you most want. Nor a maze of tricky sand/mudbanks if it's your pilotage skills that most need honing.

When I did a Day Skipper course with the late John Goode's Southern Sailing School, as well as training in the Solent we spent almost two days in Poole Harbour where the instructor would deliberately put the yacht aground and let us try various techniques for getting her off.

 

[Skylark]

What is important for instructional purposes is the density of navigational challenges that a given area may provide,

Very true.

I have sailed the Solent, and while it may be convenient for South Coast residents, I have to say I didn't find it terribly challenging.

The OP specifically asks about “first steps, such as DS”.
The Solent provides many interesting and varied challenges for those new to sailing. To suggest otherwise implies either only a very superficial knowledge of the area, a lack of instructional knowledge or a general lack of empathy towards newcomers.

 

[DownWest]

Local friend did his ab inicio on a Brit owned boat out of Brittany. Enjoyed it and leaned a lot. He really did have no experience.

 

[roaringgirl]

Solent

 

[Wing Mark]

I went to the West Country, because I 'knew' the Solent too well, having hit most of it in various dinghies and other people's racing boats.
In those days I could probably get almost anywhere in the Solent without looking at a chart, could have told you roughly what time high tide would be next Friday and so on.

A good instructor can find every challenge you need in Plymouth. From Dartmouth there are many bays, enough ports etc. Likewise Falmouth.
But I think it might be possible to run courses in more wind based in the Solent than you'd want in many other places, which is why there are so many successful sailing school operations there.
Learning a few anchorages in a new place was a bonus to me, even if it will be 20 years from my YM before I visit some of them!

Let's face it, the exam is only 12 hours or whatever, there is no way you can practically examine every single corner of the syllabus in that time, but your examiner can ask you anything and probe your weaknesses!
Our 'prep week' instructor was also an examiner, he was able to test everyone's limitations in several directions.

 

[bedouin]

Let's face it, the exam is only 12 hours or whatever, there is no way you can practically examine every single corner of the syllabus in that time, but your examiner can ask you anything and probe your weaknesses!
Our 'prep week' instructor was also an examiner, he was able to test everyone's limitations in several directions.

You did a 12 hour exam to get your Dazed Kipper ?

I think people have been getting a bit carried away. The OP asks about DS not OYM qualifying experience. For that IMHO the Solent is ideal especially in the colder months. It is very very rare that the weather would stop you taking even a boat of novices out into the Solent - the same can't be said for some other locations.