Well done Susail!!

[JeremyF]

Was out on a corporate race day yesterday in the Sunsail Sunfast 37's. 39 boats, most crew had zero experience. It was blowing a good 6, occasionally 7 after lunch.

Fortunately there was hardly anyone out in the Solent, as I wouldnt have wanted to have got caught up in the pack. However, despite a few close calls due to rounding up (Some skippers continued with just one reef) there were no accidents.

I was impressed by the professionalism of the skippers. I for one wouldnt want to be racing in those conditions with 7 crew getting in the way.

Jeremy Flynn

 

[Mike_02]

I think all we need do is look at the average age of the skippers....and the rest is simple..??

 

[JeremyF]

Re: Well done Sunsail!!

No, they werent all youngsters. The skipper on my boat (who coincidently ran the Coastal/Yachtmaster shorebased course I did 2 years ago) is in his 50's.

To be fair, he let the youngsters go to the front of the pack, and we followed a safe distance behind in the middle of the pack.

Jeremy Flynn

 

[Mike_02]

Re: Well done Sunsail!!

I guess with the amount of boats the ages will average out but i guess it's a good old case of comercial preasure over saftey....now doesn't that sound like railtrack...???

 

[JeremyF]

Railtrack

Hmm, hadnt thought of that - how good is the Sunsail maintenance programme. I wouldnt want to have a boat in charter management anyway, but these Sunfasts were looking tired already, and its their first season.

I think that major safety (life affecting) was pretty good, but I bet there were a number of damaged fingers etc, as no-one was shown how to use a winch properly

Jeremy Flynn

 

[Mike_02]

Re: Railtrack

I know for a fact that if a risk asser was to audit them he would have a fit....but at the end of the day money rules

 

[pas]

For many years i have been sailing the solent all year round, In summer it gets crowded so if we all follow the rulls we dont run into each other. This seems to work most of the time execpt when Sunsail are out, i have lost count of the ammount of times when i have had the right of way but have had to take avoiding action to avoid the ignorant skippers this company employs.
One incident of many
One summers day in light winds traveling towards cowes on a broad reach, boat speed 2kts, a sunsail boat starts to close from windward who is also traveling in the same direction on a slow closing course, Within hailing distance i hail for Water? the one crew member on deck looks at me, as the boat closes i hail again, this seams to confuse the individual more. At 20meters i shout point your boat in the other direction which they did, at this point their boat gybes, up form below appear the other members of crew all clutching their dinner plates with their half eaten lunch.
claerley a case of the skipper leaving a novice on deck unsupervised!!!!
So Sunsail if you do read this consider WHO YOU EMPLOY AS THEY CARRY FORWARD THE NAME OF YOUR COMPANY.

 

[pkb]

My problem with Sunsail is the way in which their weekend group charters seem to clog up marinas which once upon a time were available to the individual yachtsman. Cowes Haven as it is now called - I remember when it was Ancasta! - is pretty much out of bounds for a private yacht looking for an overnight berth on a Saturday during the season. I understand the economics but its bloody irritating!!

Probably shouldn't go too far - I'm thinking of chartering one of their bareboats in some far flung idyllic sailing ground next year. Sorry Sunsail - its not personal.

Peter

 

[derekgillard]

Sunsail often find a lot of criticism against them in this forum and in the past I tend to agree with most of it.

My view changed when I found myself on one of their Sunfast 37's during the round island race

I had customers with me and allowed Sunsail to arange the day and supply a Skipper, the Skipper was a man in his 50's who knew how to race and provided us with a great weekend the whole weekend was well organised .

I understand concerns about Sunsail taking all the space in the Marina, as a boat owner I too have been turned away from Cowes marina bit I am not sure we can blame Sunsail

Del Buiy

 

[chas]

I overtook a Sunfast 37 on the A38 on my way into work this morning. Nice looking boat.

 

[ParaHandy]

Re: People who lunch...

Well......come on.....what was the lunch menu (between the F6 & F7)!? This is an important measure, y'know, of how much cpy values you. If ham buns...expect p45 in post; wine...chateaux gosport...expect same; fray bentos steak pie (still in tin can) they're undecided; Sunsail catering....new policy of euthanasia........

 

[JeremyF]

Re: People who lunch...

Hmm, distinctly underwelming - Coronation Chicken sandwich crisps and a bar of chocolate.

THis is what Boots call a Meal Deal at £2.50.

Still, the event must have cost Sun Microsystems a fortune - 39 boats, skippers, etc etc

Jeremy Flynn

 

[jimi]

Re: People who lunch...

On that basis i'd start advertising the boat now! I had a couple of courses with Sunsail & had an excellent time with very professional skippers. However my wife
& daughter went on a course & had a rather different experience.

The Sunfast 37s look lovely boats but I'm not sure that I'd trust them in the hands of a recently qualified dayskipper with less than 150 miles logged!

Jim