Schools vs Private owners?

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alandav123

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Hi all, I am thinking of taking myself & my wife and 3 small ones 7, 5, and 20 months on a sailing holiday in Scotland: probably west coast.
The idea would be to get a real taste of crusing and see if its something we could all do as a family.
I am definately a hands on person and would like to gain as much knowledge as possible whilst enjoying the trip but the rest of my family would probably be sight seeing.

We were looking at a 30foot plus boat with skipper who can share his skill rather than just demonstrate it.
I would not be worried about taking formal qualifications etc just get some experience.
The question is would it be preferrable to search out a private owner who does this OR go to a big organised sail school?

Your thoughts ladies and gentlemen

Regards Alan in Arbroath
(Gem Micro Owner as of 2 weeks ago)
 
Both Sailing Schools and Charter companies (see the back of PBO and YM for the many who operate in Scotland) will be able to help. Many will have qualified skippers on the books to look after you. Probably better than trying to find one yourself. Be clear about what you want when asking. Suggest with your size of family you look for a 35ft+, maybe a centre cockpit for space and privacy down below.
 
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Hi all, I am thinking of taking myself & my wife and 3 small ones 7, 5, and 20 months on a sailing holiday

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Hi Alan
You do run the risk of putting most oif your family off the idea of sailing. Small children can find being confined in a boat utterly tedious; my own granddaughter aged 5 has been out a couple of time and loves it for about an hour then gets bored.
 
Small school IMHO - personal touches etc combined with professional tuition

Try Steve Tryer at Secondwind Sailing

or Ronnie MacInnes at Gael Sail

Steve sails out of Troon (sail and power) while Ronnie sails out of Largs these days (used to be based out of Troon)

There are several other "owner / operator" schools on the west coast so I am sure others will come along with their recommendations.
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Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity
 
I agree with Tranona, a 35ft boat would be more suitable.
I suggest you go with a sea school (heard good things about the one at Dunstaffnage)as you will get a 'free' Day Skipper qualification in the week that it takes, and will involve the family too, perhaps getting Competent Crew. After all, you will be paying for the boat and Skipper.
If you don't engage the family in the sailing, they won't developa passion (or a hatred) for it.
 
My 3 love it and have been boating sine they were about 2 months old (they're now 5, 3 & 3). We just make sure that we have loads of barbecues on beaches involving marshmallows, lots of trips in the tender, and minimise the sailing time (well to be fair we motor most of the time anyway as the boat a motor sailer with the emphasis on motor).

I would just make sure that you get your skipper to plan for 2-3 hour passages per day maximum and spend loads of time on land. It's not what he/she will be used to, so I would be very inisistent!

Good luck with it.
 
The weather may well be the deal maker/breaker on this one...

I take it that you have looked at and discarded the possibilities of a land based sailing holiday centre in Turkey or Greece?
I have a sister who has just returned form 10 days in Turkey exposing her 3 year old twins to exactly that...there were Hobie cats,Optimist dinghies,beaches, sun and other kids to play with,and decent ensuite rooms and bars for the adults!
 
Is there any possibility for you and your wife to try sailing alone for a weekend prior you take the children? In fact if you could have a couple of days midweek you would probably find a really cheap deal (guessing).

I feel that you all turning up green and piling on the boat as a family will be such a busy time that any learning of simple basics will be a nightmare at best. This option will also give you both an opportunity to see how modern yachts are laid out and help make the choice of family charter easier later.

I will also (I have to apparently it is in my contract of owning a catamaran*), suggest hiring a cat as they sail level and there is more chance the little ones will be able to nap or play in safety on any passages. The saloon is also better for this as it is not so much down below (steep steps) as on level with the cockpit, so the toddlers will be able to make their own way inside safely.

*<span class="small">Rule 364a.. Any online forum questions about types of yachts and suggestions concerning usage, require all catamaran owners to pipe up and suggest this as the only way to sail. </span>
 
I agree with Dogwatch on two counts.
Try and palm off the kids to reli's as you will find trying to learn anything whilst worrying about the kids being safe all the time will be a nightmare.
A cat is also best for space in the cockpit/saloon and making sure your wife enjoys the experience. It is enough of a shock to the system being on the water for a novice but spending daytimes leaning at 30 deg might be a bridge too far. It was the only way I could get mine on the water and she now loves it. (This isn't meant as bait for a mono/multi arguement)
Scotland, though stunningly beautiful wouldn't be my choice though for a fact finding trip. Have a look at the Med, Greek Islands and Turkey prices are probably similar but you can get a tan rather than windburn and you get to see the real country in places normal tourists don't get to visit.
Enjoy
Adaero
 
Forgot to say.
Be careful about a friendly private boat offering you a week for a fee as neither you or the owner will be insured. Only boats registered and coded for charter can be hired or rented safely, unless you can find a nice owner who will do it for free!!!!
 
Hi
Like to say agree completey with Dogwatch and Andero. On this occasion leave the kids with a loved one, and take yourself and your wife off for a week preferably to the sun ( not horizintal rain Scotland ). When you have completed this stage you will be in a far better position to evaluate what to do next. Can I suggest a dinghy course for the kids at the local club may well be a good move.

Your first action in talking to this forum rather than falling foul of an unscrupilous sailing school salesman ( they do exist ) has to be commended and you should continue to ask questions at every stage, the experiance available here is vast.

Just wanted to add from my experience you need to go slow with the development of your family into sailing. If you get it wrong by rushing at things and end up by putting them into stressfull situations, that they can't cope with, they will walk away from the sport and never come back. To that end you will then find that due to family pressure you will never come back either. I have witnessed this many times. Remember a 2 ft wave at the rear of the boat to you, is a 10ft wave to a child and so on.

The opportunity to participate in this sport with your family is something that is very valuable in itself. There are a lot of sailing batchelors around. So don't cock it up, slowly slowly catch yer monkey. The first and foremost thing is to make sure that both you, and you family, enjoy evey moment. After all It is a fantastic sport.
 
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