sailing holidays or neilsons

[Halcyon Yachts]

Neilson have a lovely fleet of new Dufours. We delivered them earlier this year!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsX9iZ2kQMo

Happy sailing!

Pete

 

[little_roundtop]

Neilsons

We've seen all the sailing companies flots in ports and anchorages in the Ionian many times. Neilsons seem the best organised and the least trouble to others in the port or anchorage. We've also seen Neilson skippers in the tender helping their people (and others) to berth. The other companies skippers tend to stand on the quay and shout a lot.

 

[nickf]

they are both owned by the same family and equally good

Barrie Neilson of Sailing Holidays would be most upset at that suggestion as he had to defend himself against an attempt by Neilsons to stop using his surname in Sailing Holidays promotion material a few years back. Neilsons is owned by Thomas Cook, Sailing Holidays is a independently owned business.

 

[Supine Being]

Barrie Neilson of Sailing Holidays would be most upset at that suggestion as he had to defend himself against an attempt by Neilsons to stop using his surname in Sailing Holidays promotion material a few years back. Neilsons is owned by Thomas Cook, Sailing Holidays is a independently owned business.

+1. Absolutely no question of a connection between the two companies.

From getting crews opinions of the two companies (the crews from different companies socialise together quite often and swap all the gossip) they seem to much of muchness in terms of boat maintenance except for one company with a large presence on the Solent. I am told they tend to cannibalise their boats for parts and generally maintain on a shoestring.

As for Neilson; for what it's worth I would consider their parent company's financial woes at the moment. Hopefully it will come to nothing but it would be a factor in my decision.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Barrie Neilson of Sailing Holidays would be most upset at that suggestion as he had to defend himself against an attempt by Neilsons to stop using his surname in Sailing Holidays promotion material a few years back. Neilsons is owned by Thomas Cook, Sailing Holidays is a independently owned business.

Errrm. I think you'll find it was Barry Neilson who tried to stop Neilson from using his name . . .

It's a silly argument. I've sailed with both many times, and know both well. Both are very good. Both are run in a very personal (and professional) way - irrespective of ownership. The twins who run Neilson are very "hands on"; they joined the company (then Falcon Sailing) in 1982 as junior instructors . . . Barry has been going a year or so longer - a flotilla staff guy who bought out the company from the original owner.

You'll find a price advantage with Neilson if you're booking fewer per boat. You'll also find boat age is really immaterial with both companies. The boats are well looked after. Things do break irrespective of age. The point is that any problems can be fixed within hours - including re-engining!

 

[nickf]

Errrm. I think you'll find it was Barry Neilson who tried to stop Neilson from using his name . . .

I am refering to the High Court case bought by Thomas Cook against Barrie in March 2000. Perhaps there was a counter claim bought by Barrie. I believe costs were awarded against TC and Sailing Holidays could continue to use Barrie's surname in their literature. I do not know if there was a seperate court case where TC were stopped using the Brand name "Neilson Sailing Holidays" or it was part of the settlement in the same case.

All of which has little to do with the quality of both companies now!

Edit: Only reference I can find is this:

"Thomas Cook took Mr Neilson's company to court in March to stop him from using his name in conjunction with the Sailing Holidays brand.

Following the High Court case, JMC has agreed not to use the name Neilson Sailing Holidays any longer and now only refers to the operation as being part of the Neilson group.

Mr Neilson claims that as Thomas Cook lost the case - it paid Sailing Holidays' £15,000 costs - he can use his surname in future branding."

from this link http://iphone.travelweekly.co.uk/Ar...olidays-accuses-jmc-over-seat-allocation.html