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Archives for May 2012

Yacht Masters Course – Certificate of Competence

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Sailing is a fun and challenging activity enjoyed by many. It is a form of recreation which requires a high level of skill. While not many are able to afford their own boats, there is no reason why this activity should not be accessible for those even on a budget. In fact, these days there are boats that can be chartered for a short time to make sailing activities more affordable and enjoyable without worrying about costs. Since there are risks involved with sailing, it is necessary to undergo a yacht masters course to become competent in operating a vessel. There are different courses that will tailor fit the need of the person who wishes to be trained in sailing.

There are many sailing schools that offer courses for interested sailing enthusiasts. It is important to differentiate and understand what you are looking for in terms of a yacht masters course to ensure that you are making the most out of your investment. Look for courses that have the least student to teacher ratio. Since you will experience sailing firsthand, you should look for schools that have the best and the latest facilities and vessels. If you are a beginner, look for a yacht masters course that will provide you with the basics in day skipper training where you will learn how to man a vessel during the day and in favorable conditions. There are advanced training to fine tune your existing sailing skills as well.

If you want to achieve a certificate of competence, find a training program that is facilitated by RYA yacht master experts. RYA sailing training programs that will immediately lead to a certification examination is also ideal. The students will be trained in offshore and coastal yachting skills through various RYA sailing training programs. Oftentimes, accommodation on board the vessel will be provided by the school. If you are not comfortable sharing cabin accommodations with other students, you can opt for a course that provides students with individual cabins inside the vessel, but be prepared to pay for such a luxury.

There is information on the internet that will connect you to some of the best yachting and sailing schools in your area. You can research as much as you can if you are not sure of what course you are interested to take. Assess your skills and decide on the areas you need to improve. If you really want to take sailing as a serious form of recreation or hobby, you will greatly benefit from certified training courses for yachting and sailing.

More Info About Sailing Courses visit http://www.universalsailingschool.co.uk

A fully recognised RYA Training Centre offering the complete range of RYA practical sailing courses

Brightlingsea Craftinsure Merlin Open and Silver tiller event 19th 20th May 2012

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Brightlingsea S C

Saturday 19th dawned bright and clear, the first sun for a few weeks! Sharing the weekend with Fireballs, GP14’s and Hornets the Merlin Rockets joined in the fantastic sight of 70 boats leaving the club for the race area in the Colne. With a gentle force 1-2 southerly greeting the 20 Merlins race officer Phil Rust and his team set the course and with the tide just starting to ebb had the first race away on time and, without a general recall (rare for the eager Merlin fleet!). With several shifts up the first beat keeping the fleet guessing Andy “Taxi” Davies and Tom Pygall (national champions) rounded first with a chasing pack including Dave Winder, Jon Ibbottson, local Dan Willett, and legend Jon Turner in hot pursuit. Due to the light winds and ebbing tide the reaches ended up being fairly broad and those going high (including Turner trying to defend) lost out heavily running into the gybe mark. The tidal gate then spread the fleet on the next beat and places stayed much the same until the finish, ending with Taxi followed by Dave Winder and Jon Ibbotson

Second race again started first time, with fickle shifts up the first beat and the few opting for less tide lost to those heading into the stronger stream. At the top mark Nick Craig lead, with Willett, Ibbotson and Will Rainey in close company. Downwind Craig lost out letting Ibbotson go through to take the lead and the race win with Willett second and Craig holding onto third.

Everyone headed back to the shore and a great welcome from the home club, especially in the form of curry/bolognese washed down with a few “bevvies!” Evening entertainment followed with live action from the Champions League final not to mention James Stewart (Nick Craig’s crew and Chelsea stalwart) amusing others with his celebrations!

Sunday started with a fresher F 3-4 breeze from the north. With Sunday being the actual Silver Tiller event two more boats brought the fleet numbers to 22.

Again, away first time, the third race had a number of boats swapping the lead, with the combination of course layout and breeze making for tighter planing reaches – putting grins on many faces! At the finish Taxi lead from Nick Craig and Will Rainey.

The wind dropped slightly for the fourth race and again most of the fleet headed right into the slackening tide. Dave Winder and local Dave Charlton crewed by Ozzie (his first crewing for many years) both hit the left corner of the course, got the ideal shift and came in to the top mark in first and second. In close pursuit were Taxi, Ibbotson and Jon Turner although a swim at the bottom mark unfortunately dropped Turner from the leaders! Tactics changed as the tide turned and the left hand side of the course became the favoured option, with Dave Winder extending his lead throughout the race for a comfortable win, ahead of Taxi, and Jon Ibbotson.

The final race started with the tide now ebbing fast and again a clean start – no recalls in a Merlin Rocket Open!!!! The pack headed left but with 20 degree shifts a lot of “snakes and ladders” occurred. Jon Gorringe and Toby Lewis headed the fleet with Nick Craig, Jon Ibbotson and Will Warren in close pursuit – a helpful gust stretching all four of them from the rest. With the top mark becoming an assault course as the Merlins lapped the tightly bunched GP14 fleet struggling with the tide, a swimming GP14 sailor must have been more than a little scared as the fleet bore off onto the run around him! Jon Gorringe enjoyed the sight of the shortened course flag after 3 laps, winning from Nick Craig and John Ibbotson.

Congratulations to the race team for running the 4 fleets really well with great courses throughout the weekend, and also to the organising, galley and bar teams who did tremendous work behind the scenes to make the whole event such a success.

With 4 separate winners from 5 races and 4th to 8th only split by 5 points the Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller fleet is showing its strength and depth, but the accolades this weekend must go to Taxi and Tom winning on the same points as Jon Ibbotson and Matt Gifford, courtesy of Taxi’s two wins. Nick Craig and James Stewart were third with Will Rainey and Sophie Mackley fourth.

Report and photographs by : Piers Lambert

Rank

Fleet

Boat

Class

Sail No

Club

Helm Name

Crew Name

Rating

R1

R2

R3

R4

R5

Total

Nett
1st MERLIN-ROCKET 3684 Blithfield SC A Davis T Pygiall 994 1.0 (7.0) 1.0 2.0 6.0 17.0 10.0
2nd MERLIN-ROCKET 3707 Ranelagh SC J Ibbotson M Gifford 994 3.0 1.0 (10.0) 3.0 3.0 20.0 10.0
3rd MERLIN-ROCKET 3675 N Craig J Stewart 994 (15.0) 3.0 2.0 7.0 2.0 29.0 14.0
4th MERLIN-ROCKET 3693 Shoreham SC W Rainey S Maculey 994 5.0 4.0 3.0 (10.0) 5.0 27.0 17.0
5th MERLIN-ROCKET 3735 Hollingsworth SC D Winder P Talyor 994 2.0 (9.0) 7.0 1.0 9.0 28.0 19.0
6th MERLIN-ROCKET 3627 Brightlingsea SC D Willett P Nicholson 994 4.0 2.0 (12.0) 6.0 8.0 32.0 20.0
7th MERLIN-ROCKET 3712 Parkstone YC J Gorringe T Lewis 994 7.0 (11.0) 8.0 5.0 1.0 32.0 21.0
8th MERLIN-ROCKET 3685 Shoreham SC W Warren C Robinson 994 6.0 8.0 4.0 (9.0) 4.0 31.0 22.0
9th MERLIN-ROCKET 3723 Blithfiled SC S Potts J Hacket 994 9.0 (14.0) 5.0 4.0 12.0 44.0 30.0
10th MERLIN-ROCKET 3729 Lyme Regis J Turner R Parslow 994 8.0 (13.0) 6.0 12.0 7.0 46.0 33.0
11th MERLIN-ROCKET 3722 Blithfield SC M Biggs B Hollis 994 10.0 5.0 9.0 14.0 (23.0 DNC) 61.0 38.0
12th MERLIN-ROCKET 3671 Brightlingsea SC P Lambert T Bees 994 12.0 10.0 (14.0) 8.0 11.0 55.0 41.0
13th MERLIN-ROCKET 3620 Brightlingsea SC A Bines S Bines 994 11.0 6.0 15.0 (16.0) 15.0 63.0 47.0
14th MERLIN-ROCKET 3730 Blithfield SC P Hollis J Dawes 994 (23.0 DNC) 23.0 DNC 11.0 11.0 10.0 78.0 55.0
15th MERLIN-ROCKET 3717 Brightlingsea SC D Charlton C Charlton 994 (16.0) 12.0 16.0 13.0 14.0 71.0 55.0
16th MERLIN-ROCKET 3731 Parkstone SC A Jones K Jackson 994 17.0 DPI (18.0 DPI) 13.0 15.0 13.0 76.0 58.0
17th MERLIN-ROCKET 3666 Brightlingsea SC C Jordan G Jordan 994 17.0 17.0 (18.0) 17.0 16.0 85.0 67.0
18th MERLIN-ROCKET 3634 Parkstone YC B Archer M Gray 994 (19.0) 16.0 19.0 19.0 17.0 90.0 71.0
19th MERLIN-ROCKET 3682 Fishers Green J Steward N Yannakoyorgus 994 18.0 (19.0) 17.0 18.0 18.0 90.0 71.0
20th MERLIN-ROCKET 3686 Brightlingsea SC P Aldridge M Barry 994 13.0 15.0 (23.0 DNC) 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNC 97.0 74.0
21st MERLIN-ROCKET 3716 Blithfield SC S Leney G Leney 994 14.0 18.0 (23.0 DNC) 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNC 101.0 78.0
22nd MERLIN-ROCKET 3688 Brightlingsea SC D Conlan E Gibbons 994 (23.0 DNC) 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNF 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNC 115.0 92.0

The Silver Tiller results from the Sunday only with 2 to count from the 3 races, changed the picture with Taxi and Tom first, Nick Craig and James second andJon Gorringe and Toby third.

Rank

Fleet

Boat

Class

SailNo

Club

HelmName

CrewName

Rating

R1

R2

R3

Total

Nett
1st MERLIN-ROCKET 3684 Blithfield SC A Davis T Pygiall 994 1.0 2.0 (6.0) 9.0 3.0
2nd MERLIN-ROCKET 3675 N Craig J Stewart 994 2.0 (7.0) 2.0 11.0 4.0
3rd MERLIN-ROCKET 3712 Parkstone YC J Gorringe T Lewis 994 (8.0) 5.0 1.0 14.0 6.0
4th MERLIN-ROCKET 3707 Ranelagh SC J Ibbotson M Gifford 994 (10.0) 3.0 3.0 16.0 6.0
5th MERLIN-ROCKET 3735 Hollingsworth SC D Winder P Talyor 994 7.0 1.0 (9.0) 17.0 8.0
6th MERLIN-ROCKET 3693 Shoreham SC W Rainey S Maculey 994 3.0 (10.0) 5.0 18.0 8.0
7th MERLIN-ROCKET 3685 Shoreham SC W Warren C Robinson 994 4.0 (9.0) 4.0 17.0 8.0
8th MERLIN-ROCKET 3723 Blithfiled SC S Potts J Hacket 994 5.0 4.0 (12.0) 21.0 9.0
9th MERLIN-ROCKET 3729 Lyme Regis J Turner R Parslow 994 6.0 (12.0) 7.0 25.0 13.0
10th MERLIN-ROCKET 3627 Brightlingsea SC D Willett P Nicholson 994 (12.0) 6.0 8.0 26.0 14.0
11th MERLIN-ROCKET 3671 Brightlingsea SC P Lambert T Bees 994 (14.0) 8.0 11.0 33.0 19.0
12th MERLIN-ROCKET 3730 Blithfield SC P Hollis J Dawes 994 (11.0) 11.0 10.0 32.0 21.0
13th MERLIN-ROCKET 3722 Blithfield SC M Biggs B Hollis 994 9.0 14.0 (23.0 DNC) 46.0 23.0
14th MERLIN-ROCKET 3731 Parkstone SC A Jones K Jackson 994 13.0 (15.0) 13.0 41.0 26.0
15th MERLIN-ROCKET 3717 Brightlingsea SC D Charlton C Charlton 994 (16.0) 13.0 14.0 43.0 27.0
16th MERLIN-ROCKET 3620 Brightlingsea SC A Bines S Bines 994 15.0 (16.0) 15.0 46.0 30.0
17th MERLIN-ROCKET 3666 Brightlingsea SC C Jordan G Jordan 994 (18.0) 17.0 16.0 51.0 33.0
18th MERLIN-ROCKET 3682 Fishers Green J Steward N Yannakoyorgus 994 17.0 (18.0) 18.0 53.0 35.0
19th MERLIN-ROCKET 3634 Parkstone YC B Archer M Gray 994 (19.0) 19.0 17.0 55.0 36.0
20th MERLIN-ROCKET 3688 Brightlingsea SC D Conlan E Gibbons 994 (23.0 DNF) 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNC 69.0 46.0
20th MERLIN-ROCKET 3716 Blithfield SC S Leney G Leney 994 (23.0 DNC) 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNC 69.0 46.0
20th MERLIN-ROCKET 3686 Brightlingsea SC P Aldridge M Barry 994 (23.0 DNC) 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNC 69.0 46.0

What is the Day Skipper Qualification?

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The Day Skipper qualification is one of the most widely recognised worldwide qualifications in sailing. Most yacht charter companies will insist that at least one person holds the Day Skipper qualification before allowing them to charter a yacht.

The Day Skipper qualification demonstrates that the holder has a basic level of skills in boat handling and navigation. The course has two parts – Theory and Practical courses – which take you from being a crew member to being able to confidently handle small to mid-sized sailing yachts in day light hours in familiar waters. It is assumed you are already a competent crew member before taking the Day Skipper.

Day Skipper Theory Course

The shore based course includes a lot of the basics for those new to sailing: nautical terms, how to handle ropes and anchors, plus critical safety information. The course involves a great deal of training on navigation, including the use of GPS and electronic charts, meteorology, collision regulations and safety procedures.

The course does not assume any level of knowledge but is proving both popular and useful for experienced crew as well as novices, who are keen to learn navigation skills so they can skipper a yacht for themselves.

The course is often split into weekend or evening classes rather than being delivered in one session of five days.

Day Skipper Practical Course

The Day Skipper practical course provides the practical skills and knowledge you need to make sure you are able to put all the theory you have learnt into practice. You will learn how to handle a yacht effectively which includes preparing to sail, manoeuvring and mooring.

During the Day Skipper Practical course you will also be responsible for plotting a course, and making sure the course is accurately maintained, as well as mastering the critical aspect of piloting in and out of the harbour.

Part of the course involves practising for emergencies, such as a man overboard or emergency towing, so that in a real life emergency both the skipper and the crew are able to respond quickly and efficiently.

The practical course takes 5 days to complete but assumes that you have at least some basic skills. It is therefore best if you have a week or two of practical experience on board a yacht or have completed the Competent Crew practical course previously, before undertaking this course.

The course can be taken over 5 consecutive days or split over 2 weekends (a short and a long).

What comes after Day Skipper Qualification?

You can go on to complete the Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster courses if you are feeling inspired following the completion of the courses above. These courses give you the skills and knowledge you need to sail and navigate for longer periods of time and to sail further from shore, or even around the world! It’s a legal requirement that someone on board must have a VHF Radio Licence, obtained by taking a 1 day course. So you should be thinking about doing this before or after your Day Skipper courses

First Class Sailing offers the complete range of RYA Sailing courses including the Day Skipper practical and theory courses. They have centres in London, Southampton and Burnham (East Coast).

You can book sailing courses online at www.FirstClassSailing.com

A Modern Day Voyage around the Locations of Homer’s Odyssey

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It is known as the most epic journey ever taken, and immense voyages ever since have been called Odysseys in homage to the thrilling original. Homer’s Odyssey follows the trials and tribulations of the hero Odysseus as he travels back from the war in Troy to his home on the island of Ithaca in order to be reunited with his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. Beset by angry gods, monsters, dark storms and seductive sirens, the journey would eventually take Odysseus a decade. Yet trips around the modern-day, real-life locations of Homer’s greatest work of literature need not take so long, and many can be reached on the same trip, making it a superb themed holiday for sailors. Here is a look at a modern day voyage around some of the locations depicted in the Odyssey.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnuckx/5085959576/

Photo by gnuckx on Flickr.com. Used under Creative Commons Licence.

The Land of the Cyclops

These fierce, one-eyed giants almost spelled the end for Odysseus and his men, until the group managed to blind their tormentor and escape. And though you will not find any giants there today, it is the Italian island of Sicily where Odysseus was thought to have encountered these gargantuan monsters. With smouldering volcanoes, sparkling Renaissance towns, Norman castles and cathedrals, and a mix of Greek, Arabic and Italian cultures pervading the air, Sicily is rightfully one of the Mediterranean’s most popular destinations. Enjoy bareboat charters across the Strait of Messina to experience this granite land mass at its best.

Scheria

Known as the Land of the Phaeacians in Homer’s day, our hero Odysseus ends up on this island after his raft is wrecked in a storm. Gaining help from the Goddess Athena, and using his charm to win over the locals, Odysseus soon manages to set sail again with the help of the Phaeacian’s supreme naval skills. And you may be surprised to discover that Scheria is none other than gorgeous Corfu, just a few miles off the west coast of Greece and Albania. The island can be easily reached by boat, and there are plenty of natural harbours here in which to set anchor and enjoy evenings on land.

Ogygia

One of the most alluring and sensual of the locations in the Odyssey has to be Ogygia, the island that was home to the nymph Calypso. Calypso kept Odysseus detained on the island for up to seven years, before finally taking pity on her captive and setting him free. Geographers down the ages have placed Ogygia as far west as the Gulf of Mexico and as far north as Britain, but most modern day classicists agree that Ogygia is likely to be present day Gozo, in Malta. This sun-burnt land of arid sandstone and sheer cliffs is known for its stunning megalithic temples and beautiful coast-line. An ideal location for sailors, the island is just an hour or so from the Maltese capital Valletta by boat, and can be reached easily from Sicily and the Italian mainland.

Ithaca

There is much doubt and confusion surrounding the modern day location of Ithaca, the home town of Odysseus and his final destination. Archaeologists, classical scholars and amateur treasure hunters have long tried to pin down one spot or the other, yet no one has conclusively found the location as of writing. The leading contender is, of course, the Ionian island named Ithaca, lying not far from the Greek mainland. This island is full of abundant olive groves, rocky outcrops, sheltered harbours perfect for finding boat charters, and a vibrant yet traditional air. Despite the name, however, the geography of contemporary Ithaca just doesn’t fit with Homeric descriptions of the island. So perhaps your best bet is just to sail around the Greek seas in the hope that you find your own little piece of paradise to name Ithaca.

John has written on sea-faring topics as diverse as how to find the cheapest boat charters in New Zealand and how to choose the right yacht for your budget.