‘It’s scary to have a 30 foot wave chasing you. If you’re steering, don’t look back. The crew looks back for you, and you watch their faces. When they look straight up, get ready’ – Magnus Olsson
Super 6 Classic Races
by John Williams
By way of background I was involved in dinghy racing for more than 25 years sailing mostly skiffs and other performance dinghies but I guess you reach a stage where one becomes less competitive as the physical demands write cheques the body can’t cash. I had in parallel sailed bigger yachts both as racers and as cruisers but as I sailed dinghies less I moved into generally speaking, fast yachts. I realised fairly early on in this process that I would never be able to afford to buy and run the boat of my dreams so took the decision to spend the money saved on the running costs of a yacht on doing interesting races on interesting yachts.
After a few years of this I put on my bucket list to do all the classic ocean races over 600 nm and recently completed the last one. Briefly, and in the order they were done as not all of them occur every year:-
- Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. 1800+nm, category 1. Goes round everything except Rockall. One of the toughest, high retirement rate, lots of things to bump into, took over 11 days with serial gales all round the course. Boat – Hanse 53
- Caribbean 600. 600+nm. Cat. 3. Course around 11 Caribbean islands starting from Antigua. If you only do one race in the Caribbean do this. Guaranteed 25kt winds and 28 deg.C. sea temp. and the bars stay open 24/7 as you finish. Boat – Volvo 70
- Rolex Fastnet Race. 600+ nm. Cat. 2. Leave Cowes, go west to Fastnet Rock off S.E. Ireland and then back to the finish in Plymouth. Huge entry (200+ boats), navigationally demanding. Boat – Sigma 38
- Rolex Middle Sea Race. 600+ nm. Cat. 3. Start under the battlements in Valetta Harbour, Malta. Sail North towards Sicily, through the Straits of Messina, round Stromboli, round the rest of Sicily, then South round a few more islands and finish back in Malta. Boat – Beneteau 47.7
- Volvo Round Ireland Race. 700+ miles. Cat. 2. Start in a small club in Wicklow just South of Dublin and sail all the way round Ireland. Navigationally challenging but the greatest hazard is probably the hospitality of the Wicklow Sailing Club before you ever start. Boat – Class 40
- Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. 600+ nm. Cat. 1. Australian classic and a big deal over there. Course is relatively straightforward but technically complex from a weather and current viewpoint. The start in Sydney Harbour is manic but Hobart is a great place to finish. Boat – Custom 63’.
All the above races come with a qualifying distance requirement, in the case of Cat. 1 its 500 nm. minimum racing on the same boat you are going to do the race on. Additionally for races like the Round Ireland you usually have to sail the yacht there and back which adds another 600+nm.
For many of these races I’ve been navigator which is always interesting even if you don’t get much sleep and you’d be surprised how basic the nav. equipment can be even on expensive yachts with the latest sail wardrobe. For this reason I always take my own laptop (with up to date charts and software) a good PDA, separate GPS, sometimes a portable AIS, a charging regime that works on board and everything that can be is waterproofed.
Great stuff John, who will be next? – Melvyn
Meet the Team
Melvyn Wallhead, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor. I started this business in 2010 partly to justify keeping our rather nice Hallberg Rassy yacht, never expecting the school would grow to the present level. The North East has a long maritime tradition but potential mariners have had to go outside the area or deal with local colleges offering an inflexible ‘service’. I have sailed all over; UK, Med, Europe, Caribbean, Thailand, four continents in all and hope I can encourage others to do the same, without the ‘incidents’.
Trevor Jefferson, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor has a long pedigree in teaching with dinghy sailing going back some 40 years and is an RYA Race Trainer. Sail Cruising has been his recent activity with instruction time in Gibraltar and the West Coast of Scotland where he owned a watersports centre. As my Chief Instructor he ‘raises the bar’ for Northumbria Sailing instruction standards.
Don Gunton, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor has extensive sailing experience primarily on the west coast of Scotland. Other trips have included a scary one to Norway with me onboard. Note ‘scary’ due to the weather. He would probably list sailing to St Kilda as one of his great achievements. Don has been instructing with Northumbria Sailing for a few years and can also do a useful turn in nautical slang due to his previous experience in the Merchant navy.
Malcolm Young, Yachtmaster helps keep our average age down and has come through the ranks with Northumbria Sailing. Malcolm has sailed in the west coast of Scotland, the Caribbean, Med, Norway as well as the North East. Sailing ambitions have to dovetail with running a company but he has already shown his capability by sailing to the Shetlands. He does a good turn in weekend Day Trips too!
January re-Launch
Never heard of before – in January! There was a reason, of course, as I needed accommodation for one2one RYA Ocean theory. There wasn’t a lot to do anyway, in contrast to last year when the engine was replaced.
Keen Kay
Kay cycled 15 miles to my Day Skipper theory class last month. That’s what I call ‘Keen’.
New for 2017 – Split Weekend RYA Course
Many times have I been asked ‘Do you do Day Skipper Practical across two weekends?’ and I have unable to supply this.
Now I can offer this Course across the Spring Bank holiday weekend and the following; May 26 – 29th & June 2-4th. Evening starts. Cost: Day Skipper £675 & Competent Crew £650
Northumbria Sailing Adventures
These adventures are when we either charter a sailing yacht or take ‘Lian’ somewhere interesting and challenging. When weather and crew status permit we will do distances, often sailing through the night via the watch system. If this is not possible we will cruise looking for pleasant places to visit with good shoreside wining and dining facilities.
Trips in recent years have included the Orkneys, the Clyde, London Tower Bridge and a North Sea crossing.
We will endeavour to have you fully involved in the sailing of the boat and to consider your preferences. Alcohol will often be enjoyed when we are no longer underway. At the end of the trip you will have a log book filled and plenty of nautical adventures to tell.
North Shields to Amsterdam in July 2017
Come with me for a trip to, or from, Amsterdam on my quality 11 metre yacht ‘Lian’, a Hallberg Rassy sailing yacht, well known for its luxury and steadiness afloat.
There will be two legs, Royal Quays to Amsterdam, or near, and the return. To comply with the boat’s commercial coding certificate, requiring a maximum distance of 60 miles from a safe haven, the routes will follow the coastline, crossing about Lowestoft. I last sailed to Amsterdam in 2012, a great and vibrant city readily accessible by air from Newcastle upon Tyne. The outward leg will be from 1st – 8th July and the return 8 – 15th. 8th July will be the changeover date. The outward crew will meet onboard on the evening of 30th June.
Depending on the route the mileage is estimated between 275 and 300 miles each way.This will be an opportunity to build sea miles.
What to Expect.
You will be sleeping onboard and take part in watches throughout the night. Expect highs and lows, for a sailing trip is never routine and you learn to ‘expect the unexpected’ and deal with it.
The boat is sturdy and comfortable and, whilst we do not aim to go out in bad weather, we will be ready if caught out at sea. The boat has a Chart Plotter, Radar and AIS. I will take one leg and employ a skipper for the other.
The cost includes catering, berthing, just about everything except meal and drinks onshore.
How to Prepare.
Detailed joining instructions will be given nearer the time, but you will be responsible for your travel costs and arrangements to the start. Sadly, I can give no guarantees to arrive at Amsterdam even, but will be making every effort.
If you book a flight early to take advantage of discounts this will be at your own risk.
How to Book. There are a maximum of four places on board each way. £100 reserves, subject to the conditions on my webpage. The balance is payable two months before the start of the trip. You will be asked to sign a declaration of fitness. Outward FULL
Cost £550 for the 7 days outward & £495 returning.
Hebridean Adventure in June 2017 – FULL
The New School Boat?
At the helm of a Hallberg-Rassy 55 on display at the Düsseldorf Boat Show, the largest in Europe. With a €1.3m price tag, I thought about it, and again, but moved onto a €4m Motor Yacht where we ‘blagged’ our way round. Only after we left the English salesman did I point out that we had omitted to inspect the owner’s cabin! We did inspect though an aspiring owner, accompanied by his very smart ‘daughter’! One week later there has been no follow up – what a surprise.
A great two days, ably assisted by Iranian Orang who said ‘Anglo Saxons are no good at haggling’ and proceeded to demonstrate this on the stalls.
Update on Courses & Trips
‘Keeping your brain active protects against dementia, probably because it increases the quality of your cognitive reserve – the connections within the brain network’
THEORY COURSES
RYA OCEAN YACHTMASTER Explore the wonders of a sextant with Celestial Navigation and Ocean Passage Planning. This ‘top of the range’ RYA theory course can lead to the coveted ‘Ocean Yachtmaster’ ticket. I have four sextants, one new lightweight metal, one plastic & two old brass, for you to handle. A practical session is included. Cost £450 or £725 on tailored tuition. It’s possible to come for the Celestial Navigation only.
RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER The advanced Course, a must for those proceeding to Yachtmaster level. Cost £425 for class & £625 tailored tuition. You need a good knowledge of this Course before being tested by the RYA Examiner. New for 2017 is a revised tidal section exploring tidal influences.
RYA DAY SKIPPER A popular starting point for many. Same Course for Sail or Power. Maximum 8 to a class and located in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Included is a half day visit to the School boat. Cost £425.
I can’t do these times and am in a hurry!
Then a Tailored Timetable with one to one tuition could be for you. Costs £595 (£950 a couple) for Day Skipper, £625 for Coastal/Yachtmaster™ and £725 for the Ocean. Available when the diary permits.
Whilst I would not wish to encourage missing sessions, it’s a fact of life in todays world and time can be made up through private sessions or, sometimes, within the class timetable
PRACTICAL COURSES
All local courses take place on the school boat, a quality 36 foot Hallberg Rassy, well known for its comfort and steadiness afloat. Properly equipped with modern electronics, the preferred wheel steering and comfortable bunk cushions you will be well set up to handle whatever may come your way. Courses are fully inclusive, except for a kitty contribution to drinks onshore.
PRACTICAL CREWING My version of RYA Competent Crew. Three days, 0930-1700hrs onboard for three persons. 3:1 private tuition and you will be up to the Comp Crew standard. No experience necessary. Cost £275. (£375 weekends) Next Course April 3, 4 & 6th provisionally
DAY TRIPS. ‘Taster’ days run throughout the season with the aim of having a pleasant day out on the water. You can see whether yachting is for you at modest cost. Trips operate out of Royal Quays 0930 – 1700hrs. Cost £50 weekday & £70 weekend (maximum 5 customers onboard). 31st March, 2nd & 6th May
RYA COMPETENT CREW A 5 day, live aboard, course where you will learn ‘the ropes’ and to become a useful crew member. A good start to, perhaps, a lifetime boating. Cost £575. 2017; June 16 – 21st (provisionally), May 26-29+June 2-4th (split rate), July 23 – 28th Course Review
RYA DAY SKIPPER PRACTICAL The key to bareboat charter, this course aims to get you to the ability ‘ to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in tidal waters with which the student is familiar’. Then you can be let loose to find your own adventures and provide endless anecdotes for you to enjoy telling. (The caption shows the June victims enjoying fish & chips on the final day) Cost £595. May 26-29+June 2-4th (split rate), June 16 – 21st (provisionally), July 23 – 28th ‘I was pleased with the way the course was organised, the instructions for preparation and attending, the fact that you were there waiting for me when I arrived, and your welcome both before and after we boarded.’ – Hassall. Course Review by Tim Edwards
INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (ICC) This can be done on the same course as Day Skipper/Competent Crew. Cost £525 with dates as above. Alternatively I can test you on your own boat at much cheaper cost. Individual quotations are given for this which will be from £225 for one day, own boat.
YACHTMASTER PREPARATION Following on from the successful session last June, where three new YM’s were delivered, there is to be a repeat format during Three days preparation followed by examination by an RYA Examiner for two days. Cost £595 excluding exam fees
If you are contemplating your YM Examination you must see this in-depth report by Jonny Colwell on his experience in the autumn of 2015 YM Prep & Examination
Northumbria Sailing on Video
The school yacht is an 11 metre Hallberg Rassy, a quality boat well fitted down below providing comfortable accommodation, stable at sea. Have a look at her entering the river Tyne under sail. Lian at Tynemouth
Have a look at my Theory Training Centre with this video. Training
Onboard the Hallberg Rassy training yacht, by courtesy of Mark Batey and the kind co-operation of victims Andrew and Clive. See me giving berthing advice in trying to avoid the electric supply post Mark Batey Day Training
RYA Competent Crew in the sun, by courtesy of Mark again Mark Batey Competent Crew
In a clip from 2013 you see the appreciation of Ladies on an RYA sponsored day at Royal Quays Ladies Day
Pieces of Eight – Knotty Problems Analysed
Angles on Parallel Rules
Have you ever wonder what the slanted lines on one edge of your parallel rules are for?
They measure angles, for example (see image); to draw a line at 65º place this edge on a meridian of longitude. On the same meridian place the ‘S’ letter, whilst tilting the rules as shown. That’s all there is to it!
Specialist Courses include;
RYA BASIC SEA SURVIVAL. A must for all sailors and a very proactive time in the, warm, swimming pool. You will learn about general safety onboard as well as survival in the water. Last April we had a very enjoyable session at a school in Heaton and this will be repeated at some time in the future, according to demand Cost £125 or £110 if in a group or family. RYA Basic Sea Survival and a video Wet in the Pool
RYA VHF Still available in class or private tuition. Don’t be caught without a proper licence as you could be fined up to £5,000, plus 6 months inside, plus equipment confiscation – yes it’s very severe! At Northumbria Sailing you will receive tuition one per training set. As you will be assessed for practical skills as well as theoretical I think it’s advisable that you have every opportunity to familiarise yourself with the equipment. Next session; All Day 27th February, 29th March. Evenings; 9 + 16th March. Cost £110 plus £60 to RYA Also available One to One at £175 and online at £85 to include manual. Assessment £60 extra. Try these links. RYA Online VHF Radio and RYA Online VHF video
RYA RADAR Are you safe using your set? Can you properly identify a collision situation? If you have radar you are required to know how to use it properly and could be held responsible if an incident was to occur. Day or two evening courses. Next session; 7th March (not many places left) Cost £120, plus £9.75 to RYA.
CEVNI test for the Inland waterways endorsement to your ICC. Done online, cost £25
RYA Essential Navigation Online. Do this starter course on your own laptop. A good introduction to the theory part of sailing, with yacht or power boat. Cost £95 plus £27 to the RYA
RYA FIRST AID. All day for the RYA certificate, valid three years. Be prepared for a full day’s activity with lots of practical demonstrations and active participation – no going to sleep here with Simon!. Cost £75, £95 with Cat C drug endorsement.
Bondi Beach Rescue – CPR
This is worth looking at, if a little noisy. Part of a series, this shows CPR in action on Bondi Beach, Australia. Bondi Beach CPR
Victims (all) at Sea
Sailor’s off Duty
Our annual Dinner held on Newcastle Quayside on a noisy Saturday evening, a get together to reminisce and exaggerate assisted by a generous grog issue.
Ron & Susan Fraser, on Gianna had a great time in Scandanavia, meeting along the way Paul Common, VHF Assessor, former Commodore RNYC sailing Blue Orchid. Ron is enjoying his retirement and constantly upgrades ‘has baby’, for a re-run in 2017. Returning from Denmark they enjoyed ‘night bathing’ – off watch would remain in the cockpit having a ‘deckhead survey’ whilst on watch had the comfort of ready reference. This helped cope with the big swell out in the open of the North Sea crossing. Mind Ron’s cockpit is a lot bigger than mine!
David Rodgers has been sailing in and around the firth of Clyde ‘on Chyandra, pronounced Shy-an-dra, a beautiful Sparkman & Stephens SHE 32 I bought in Rhu. She was completely refitted by Derek Smith during the last 8 years and sails like a dream. I have had instruction from Derek [an 83 year young ex-naval man]’.
The boat has rather attractive lines and came complete with a 13 page document on how Derek came to buy her and refit, with his wife’s help. Included was teak from the stage floor of the Alhambra theatre in London.
David usually sails by himself (he smokes….) and was caught out in a 30knot wind. Why didn’t you put the engine on to get back to Rhu? I asked. No, he wanted to sail.
Another Late Call – from a Sailing School
Chris Forker of Carbery Sailing called to say that he was coming home, actually close to myself, on 21st December and would like his RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory done before he returned to Tenerife on 10th January. But it’s Christmas & New Year! and, as I write, we are immersed in Celestial Navigation (the most challenging RYA Course) on One2One.
Carbery Sailing do RYA Courses and Ocean trips from Cork in Ireland and also Tenerife. The school’s Hallberg-Rassy is bigger than mine . Chris can be contacted on (when he’s recovered from his Course with myself) on Carbery Sailing
Boat Delivery
Just bought a boat and wondering whether to have it delivered or trucked? You can contact us for a feasibility assessment and quotation for cost.
Yacht Skippering
There are times when you might feel that your ‘ticket’ and/or experience will not be adequate for a safe holiday. Last summer I had such a commission enabling a larger yacht to be chartered and to sail to more adventurous places. It worked and we all had a great time and look forward to repeating the experience exploring a more challenging area in 2017.
RYA Dinghy Sailing Instructor Seeking Employment
In Glen’s own words; ‘I started off on the isle of wight as a assistant dinghy instructor and took an intensive course with UKSA and got RYA sailing and dinghy instructor and BCU trainee coach 2. I then started teaching around the med and did this for a little over ten years going from snow season to summer season and back again. Around 5 years ago I stopped seasons to come back to England after my fathers passing. and am now looking for work in the outdoor education and activities sector’. Try him direct on glen_austin1@hotmail.co.uk
For more information contact me via my web page
Sail Safely the RYA Way
© 2017 Northumbria Sailing – WordPress Theme by Kadence Themes