Winter Newsletter 2009

Schedules

The schedules for this winter and summer 2010 are now available.

Please let us know if your chosen week has not been picked and we will see what can be done, only a few dates are inflexible and we are always willing to try to fit in with the busy lifestyles of everyone today.

Theory

The winter months are the time to consider the theory course that has always been a good idea but got in the way of sailing during the summer months.

Our prices are focused on tuition for one or two people to enable us to adapt to the time available rather than cater for a large group where individual tuition suffers.

Diesel Engine Courses

A good time to study the running of your engine, try some routine maintenance and be able to identify the beginning of a problem before the summer cruise is in progress. Our one day courses combine time in the classroom with hands on engine time. It is also possible for you to have personal instruction on your own boat, which helps familiarity and maintenance.

Radio Courses

A one day course to obtain the Short Range Radio Certificate required for anyone in charge of a boat with a radio, wishing to charter or owning a hand held radio. It is also sensible that more than one person aboard is acquainted with the use of the radio for both routine and emergency calls.

RYA First Aid at Sea

This is compulsory for anyone working in the sailing environment as well as being a confidence builder for families afloat and a sensible qualification for those racing as knocks of a variety are commonplace. This is a one day course with emphasis on the sailing environment and some practical applications.

Navigation Courses

The 2 day basic navigation course is popular with day sailors as well as those who take to the water on a variety of small craft be it a surfboard, dinghy or personal watercraft.

There are three, five day courses aiming at different levels of experience. We are happy to tailor the course as individual days if you are unable to commit to 5 days in a row. This works well for those who like to have time to consider the tuition and study the homework.

Practical Sailing Courses

Bellerophon, our Sigma 38 will be afloat at the end of March in time for the Easter weekend in April having had an extensive winter refit.

The Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses can be completed over two or more sessions whilst the Coastal Skipper must be run over 5 consecutive days.

Several of our scheduled 5 day courses run through a weekend to reduce the number of work days that need to be taken to complete the course.

People wishing to increase their yachting experience are welcome to join any of the courses. If a particular requirement is made known we will do our best to include it within the course.

Racing

Bellerophon will once again be available to compete in a variety of events including Manches Cup, Round the Island, Cowes Week and Little Britain Challenge. We shall be offering our successful “Try Racing” in Cowes Week encouraging as many new people to compete in the prestigious regatta for the week or even a day.

Birthdays and Special Events

There have been a variety of requests for a day sailing as a Birthday or Christmas present or even family special event. A race day can be bought in Cowes week or the whole family can enjoy a day on the water with sailing lunch to celebrate a particular occasion.

Family Sailing Days

Children are welcome aboard when accompanied by an adult. To maintain enthusiasm and attention a day afloat with the family will be aimed at the needs of the youngest member possibly including a swim, rowing the dinghy and a trip ashore to add variety should conditions permit.

Older children may accompany an adult on a RYA course, there is no minimum age limit for Competent Crew certificates but the Day Skipper minimum is 16 and Coastal Skipper a minimum of 17 years of age.

Own Boat Tuition

You can organize an RYA course on your own yacht and we will provide the Instructor. It may be helpful to have an experienced person aboard for a new yacht or even a delivery if involving a longer passage than the crew have previously experienced.

Let us know if we can help with your yachting needs!