Teenage competent crew course up North?

Hi there, I agree, as he is a dinghy sailor Day Skipper is the way to go.

May I suggest Plas Menai, Wales's National Watersports Centre, on the Menai Straits.

They do both the theory and practical courses and are quite teanage friendly as they do a lot with schools,etc and provide on site accommodation (meals, rooms + a swimming pool for recreation).

As well as yachts, they have dinghies, windsurfers, ribs, kayaks, etc........wish it was around when I was young........
 
King Penguin said:
Hi there, I agree, as he is a dinghy sailor Day Skipper is the way to go.

May I suggest Plas Menai, Wales's National Watersports Centre, on the Menai Straits.

They do both the theory and practical courses and are quite teanage friendly as they do a lot with schools,etc and provide on site accommodation (meals, rooms + a swimming pool for recreation).

As well as yachts, they have dinghies, windsurfers, ribs, kayaks, etc........wish it was around when I was young........
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Another +1 for Plas Menai. Good bunch of folks and they do understand youngsters better than some other places. Also, if he in any way able to manage doing the theory bits on line, then the DS is probably the way to go. The step between being a good dinghy skipper and taking control of a yacht is not as great as some would have you believe.
 
Where in Yorkshire are you?

Pugneys near Wakefield are running a theory course starting Sunday for 7 sundays.

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/Culture...sCountryPark/Courses/SkipperTheorycourses.htm

There were places left a couple of weeks ago when I went to pay a deposit.

I too think that the Comp Crew practical may be a bit tame for someone who can sail but Day Skipper could be a strugle if he needs to learn the theory stuff concurently.
 
Over the years I've used both Plas Menai (Port Dinorwic home berth) and Cumbrae (Largs home berth). Would recommend both.

The conditions around Anglesey are probably more tidal so he'll gain real experience of learning to handle a boat in such conditions, for example to ferry glide and pass safely through tidal gates. The Straits are mostly protected from adverse weather and, with the exception of one rather ugly edifice along the shore line, has some stunning scenary. Of course, where ever your heading, you'll be beating to windward :D

In The Clyde you'll most likely experience all four seasons each and every day. Head towards The Kyles of Bute and most sailors will think that they've died and gone to heaven. The scenary is second to nothing and I sit in Manchester in constant envy of the local sailors.

Nice gesture from Dad, he's very lucky.
 
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If the OP's son has never sailed on a yacht then he does not meet the minimum requirements for Day Skipper and would not be accepted on the course at most schools.

It's got to be either Comp Crew or Start Yachting.

Cumbrae are excellent.

- W
 
webcraft said:
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If the OP's son has never sailed on a yacht then he does not meet the minimum requirements for Day Skipper and would not be accepted on the course at most schools.

It's got to be either Comp Crew or Start Yachting.

Cumbrae are excellent.

- W
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He's got months to get to minimum DS experience. IIRC, one 50 miler there and back would do it plus a couple of extra night on board. Loads of forumites would offer him that before summer, or he could do a JOG race.

On the other hand, he's clearly way too good for Comp Crew, and can't do Day Skipper isn't that a case for an inland sailing holiday of his own with his peers?

Or a pot luck flotilla?

I have a feeling the young man will know what he wants to do already, but if not there are options on this thread and he can choose one that suits him.
 
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toad_oftoadhall said:
In the unlikely event he's never sailed a yacht [1]
[...]
[1] Most dinghy sailors do the odd yacht trip IME.
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:confused: :confused: :confused:

His dad said, quite explicitly, "he has never sailed on a yacht". He's only 16, it's not like he might have done so 20 years ago and forgotten, or sneakily been doing the odd charter holiday that his parents don't know about. Why on earth would you think you know better than the lad's father what sailing he's done?

Pete
 
prv said:
:confused: :confused: :confused:

His dad said, quite explicitly, "he has never sailed on a yacht". He's only 16, it's not like he might have done so 20 years ago and forgotten, or sneakily been doing the odd charter holiday that his parents don't know about. Why on earth would you think you know better than the lad's father what sailing he's done?

Pete
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Plus the minimum requrements for Day Skipper include 5 nights aboard and 4 night hours.

There's no such thing as 'being too good for comp crew' really - he will be given the opportunity to develop his strengths and address his weaknesses at the appropriate level. As a way of gaining experience it is as good value as a flotilla or almost anything else except free sailing with a good skipper.

- W
 
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prv said:
:confused: :confused: :confused:

His dad said, quite explicitly, "he has never sailed on a yacht". He's only 16, it's not like he might have done so 20 years ago and forgotten, or sneakily been doing the odd charter holiday that his parents don't know about. Why on earth would you think you know better than the lad's father what sailing he's done?

Pete
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Thanks for correcting me, post changed.
 
Uricanejack said:
+1

Not realy a sailing course. more of a life expierience sailing. aimed a teenagers to early twenties and fun. spend a week and he will be a competant crew.
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OYT is great, but they are huge great boats so it's maybe not ideal as starting yaching experience IMO. Depends what he wants to do / achieve really.

- W
 
+2 for Plas Menai

King Penguin said:
Hi there, I agree, as he is a dinghy sailor Day Skipper is the way to go.

May I suggest Plas Menai, Wales's National Watersports Centre, on the Menai Straits.

They do both the theory and practical courses and are quite teanage friendly as they do a lot with schools,etc and provide on site accommodation (meals, rooms + a swimming pool for recreation).

As well as yachts, they have dinghies, windsurfers, ribs, kayaks, etc........wish it was around when I was young........
Click to expand...

Challenging waters tidally, excellent instruction and a real focus on youth.

I won't get into the debate about which course, other than to observe that us oldsters (I'm a grandad x5) generally underestimate the abilities of our offspring. Call Plas Menai, outline your lad's skills and experience and ask their advice.

Just beware - once he's been there once, he may want to go again and again and again .....

btw, congrats to him on putting back into the sport as an instructor, Í hope you're proud of him!
 
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