~ OnWaterTraining.co.uk ~
Latest News..
2 July 2008 - ~ OnWaterSkippers.co.uk ~ soon to be launched
The number of calls we get asking us to either Skipper a yacht, teach an RYA course, drive a Powerboat or act as experienced crew on a delivery is increasing almost on a weekly basis.
~ OnWaterTraining.co.uk ~ has some great contacts in the industry on the South and East Coasts however most of the calls we get tend to be at short notice as a result of double bookings, late notice bookings or Skippers / Instructors unable to fulfill a commitment.
As such we try our very hardest to put training centres, companies and charter organisations in touch with the experienced and qualified contacts we have and vice versa and thankfully for the paying clients, we have done so with some success...!
Time then to think about doing this in a more coordinated way so at the end of August we will be launching ~ OnWaterSkippers.co.uk ~
The plan being that we will create a register of qualified Skippers, Instructors etc where we can then refer individuals to organisations and vice versa. If we get a call on Thursday from a centre needing a PB Instructor, then we can access our list and pass on details of those we know to be available. Equally we can also email Skippers availability to centres so they have access to short notice Skippers or Instructors as needed.
The catch - none really...we just want to help out individuals we know and have worked with and equally those organisations we have either worked for or with.
There will be a charge of course, to cover costs.
How does £5-00 per annum for Skippers and individuals sound and after a successful introduction, a one off charge of £15-00 for organisations.
As an organisation, training centre or charter Company etc..., if you wish to contact the individual again directly, then do so - no further charges are expected as this is not about making money - simply about matching people with opportunities.
Watch out for further new and details of the site :-
~ OnWaterSkippers.co.uk ~
2 July 2008 - Round The Island Race
Well an interesting start made us slow over the line - winds higher than expected meant a quick reef however once away, we had a great beat to the Needles. The run to St Cats with full main and genoa saw 8 knots boat speed - too windy for the kite but then again, we were making on other yachts flying them (most with some dificulty as well).
Bembridge Cardinal saw us hardening up for the Fort after three hours of very sloppy seas on the south of the Island and we ran alongside the mainland until turing in in quieter tides for the finish line.
Some hard tacking close in shore off East Cowes saw us lose at least ten places when a give way yacht didn't - rounding us up and having a domino effect on all the other yachts behind and to port so a protest was put in and eventually we made for the line finishing some 10hrs 11 mins after setting off.
A great time had by all - Skipper - Gordon, Nav/Tactician - Tim, Pit Boss - Ian, Jane, Mike, Toni, Michele and John - Trimmers.
Bookings are already being taken for 2009 so do contact us if you are interested. Photos will go live on the site soon.
2 April 2008 - Cross Channel Cruise to Cherbourg - August Bank Holiday 2008
Now fully booked - Why not charter your own yacht with us and cruise in company ? If you are RYA Day Skipper or higher qualified, then why not charter your own yacht and Cruise In Company with an experienced RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Cruising Instructor on the lead yacht.
Come and join us from Friday evening 22 August until Monday 25 August on our channel crossing to Cherbourg. We'll catch the tide with an overnight sail to arrive in Cherbourg on Saturday morning offering a whole day and night and much of Sunday with chance to explore, shop, eat, drink and be merry and of course to enjoy the hospitality that this destination offers. The return trip will be either Sunday lunchtime or, weather dependant, overnight Sunday to arrive back in the Solent on Monday. If we get back early, an overnight in Yarmouth on Sunday with an assured warm welcome in a local hostelry on the Isle of Wight will be arranged.
A great mile builder for those working towards the coveted RYA qualifications with two 60nm trips and of course a great chance to go 'offshore' for those who wish to cross with an experienced Skipper.
The cost per berth is just £270-00 per person and this covers everything except personal insurance, meals ashore and includes a contribution of £10 per person for berthing fees during the weekend.
If the weather forecast is unsuitable for a channel hop, then we will either go down the coast to Poole or perhaps further, explore the Solent with perhaps the chance to go up the coast to Brighton or Eastbourne.
If you have your own yacht, (or wish to charter one - let us know), then why not Cruise In Company with us on our trip for just £250-00 per yacht and the support of an experienced RYA/MCA Yachtmaster on the lead yacht.
Interested in getting some miles, stocking up the wine cellar for summer or just getting a real butter croissant for breakfast...? Contact Us for more information...
31 January 2008 - Round The Island Race 2008
We now have our racing crew together for the Round The Island Race 2008 taking place on Saturday 28 June 2008. With all berths already booked, please contact us if you wished to be added to our waiting list should one of our crew need to go MOB at short notice.
The crew have paid just £335-00 per person. Full details HERE.
We have an excellent record in the race over the past three years, always finishing in the top third of the fleet overall so for an exciting weekend and three full days of sailing and racing, Contact Usor see the Under Sail then Racing page for more information.
14 December 2007 - Yacht Delivery - Corfu to Athens - October / November 2007
For the third year running, we delivered a lovely 41ft yacht from Corfu to Athens via the Corinth Canal.
This was a trip of over 300nm and included an overnight sail and visits to some beautiful less touristy spots. Secluded and quiet were some, other locations had some fantastic bars and Taverna's as well as live music, dancing and being in Greece, we had a warm welcome everywhere...!
The crew paid just £350 PER PERSON INCLUDING FLIGHTS...as well as having a day at Delphi and a whole day sightseeing in Athens. The only additional costs were shared on board between the crew for food so there were NO CHARGES formarina fees, insurance or fuel costs to be added.
Thanks to Mike Hooton, (First Mate) and Suse, Tim, Wendy and David for making this a fantastic week on a great yacht, with lovely food, loads of fun and above all, a successful delivery...!
Look out for ~ OnWaterTraining.co.uk ~ deliveries for next year at the start of the season - great trips visiting the most gorgeous Greek islands and one that we look forward to every year...!
2 July 2007 - The Round The Island Race 2007
The 2007 Round The Island Race attracted 1800 competitors.
~ OnWaterTraining.co.uk ~ chartered 'Isiana', a Sun Oddysey 35 from Solent Sail based in Gosport. (See Our Colleagues page for information on this amazing Charter Company and RYA Training Centre).
'Isiana' was immaculate, with DVD player, flat screen TV, microwave (great when on shore power), spinnaker and overall, she was in an excellent condition - Martin from Solent Sail (and her owner) even brought us an extra set of sheets and guys for the kite...! Such is the service that you can expect and although not strictly a racing yacht, the crew all agreed that the comfort and luxury really made the trip even better.
We met on Thursday evening in Gosport and following a great days sailing on Friday, berthed in Cowes on Friday night ready for our early start on Saturday.
With a start time of 0620, the crew were up and raring to go by 0500 and off into the Northern holding area we went. The winds were better than expected 10-15 knots from the West and an excellent start 50m off the line saw us in the head of the fleet and by the Needles we were still enjoying being in the thick of it with the fleet leaders.
A quick cut through the gap between the Needles and the wreck of the Varvassi, lots of photos and a cup of tea saw us nicely into our downwind leg which started slowly with a lull in the wind.
We had a better run after St Catherines with the wind at our backs and reaching 20 - 22 knots and the kite in full flight saw us at a steady 8 knots SOG but by the time we reached Ventnor, the faster boats in the fleet had made better use of the tide and wind and passed us.
The run downwind carried us to Bembridge where we then began to harden up for our run through the forts and back to Cowes. Following some hard tacking to get position on the finish, we crossed the line at 1649 and finished 616th overall.
The crew celebrated the race in West Cowes and despite the rain had a great time in The Anchor and watching the live band on the hard and then back to Isiana to tell stories of the day.
Sunday took us on a gentle run back to Gosport following breakfast on board. The rain came on and saw half of the crew travelling in business class (hiding below out of the weather) and those in cattle class driving the boat back...! In fairness though, the business class passengers did keep a supply of hot food and drink coming through the companionway for those up top enjoying the wind and rain.
With plenty of hot meals, nibbles and chocolate treats and drinks on board, the crew working as a team after our full day of race training on Friday and plenty of fun on board, in Cowes and in Gosport, this years 2007 Round The Island Race was a fantastic success.
So...well done to the crew who joined Gordon (Skipper) for the weekend :- Sally Ford (Crew Manager), Tim Bray (Navigator / /Tactician), Duncan Graham (Bowman), Mark Fleming (Mast), Ian Rogers (Pit Boss), Paul Ashburner (Trimmer) and Kath Geoghegan (Trimmer).
The Round the Island Charter 2007 included 'Isiana', a beautiful and immaculate yacht chartered from Solent Sail, all meals, snacks and drinks on board, three full days sailing, all marina fees, fuel and a high quality embroidered crew shirt as a keepsake for each crew member.
Pictures of the race and crew are now on the site .
If you would like to join us next year on the 2009 Round The Island Race, email us at :-
info (at) onwatertraining.co.uk
or get in touch through the Contact Us page for more information...