‘…. that tin Judas down below’ – Frank Wightman
VHF IN KITZBÜHL
David is shown here diligently studying his VHF manual, prior to his training session last month. The difference is that he’s in Kitzbühl, a glitzy ski resort in Austria. That’s what I call being keen!
In fact, David phoned me about taking this course when I was on the ski slopes in Switzerland, not an easy job accessing your phone with all your ski layers on.
Oh and, by the way, he passed – of course
NEW ENGINE IN OPERATION
The School Hallberg Rassy yacht is now back in the water with the new engine in operation.
This is due to the diligence of the very capable Tony Avis, diverted away from his fishing trips during the off season. It’s a great sight and will be tested out in the weeks to come.
The Beta 50 marine engine was first spotted in last year’s Boat Show, although the red on display was thought to be a little harsh and I have opted for green.
Other enhancements during the re-fit have included a replacement central heating unit and extra battery capacity.
April 1st Talk
My VHF victims were treated to the revelation that a new App has just been announced enabling laptops, with a touch screen, to obtain the full services of a VHF set, including the emergency button. Reference AF 001 needed to be quoted and I, myself, had to make the announcement before 12 noon.
2016 in the Orkneys & Shetlands
The Orkneys and Shetlands offer challenging sailing in a wonderful landscape. I have sailed twice to the Orkneys, the most recent being in 2008, but never the Shetlands. In June and July I will be taking the Hallberg Rassy up there to explore the area but in my own boat which offers more comfort and security than a charter.
Extract from Ship’s Log 7th August 2008 Left Stonehaven 1351 with jib up after failing to hoist mainsail. Northerly wind F6 all the way with maximum gust 31.2 knots. Proceeded under sail only arriving at Royal Quays on 8th at 1117. 128.8 miles in 21 hours 26 minutes at an average speed of 6 knots. The engine was turned off outside Stonehaven and back on again just outside Tynemouth’s pier end. One of the best sails ever!
The aim will be to spend four weeks away from Royal Quays with skipper and crew changeovers weekly, starting from 19th June. A stopping trip up there followed by cruising this exciting area and ending with a leisurely trip back home.
‘Lian’ is undergoing a re-fit during the 2015/6 off season, to include a new engine and will be ready and able to take on the 2016 season.
Weeks available are;
June 18 – 25th (1 berth left) Setting off from Royal Quays to Kirkwall in the Orkneys, about 280 miles distant, with stops on the way to enjoy the surroundings. An overnight might be needed to keep to timetable if there are delays.
June 25 – July 2nd (2 berths) & July 2nd – 9th (1 berth) touring the area starting and finishing at Kirkwall. Targets will include the Shetlands and Fair Isle, with possible visits to Scapa Flow, Stromness and Hoy.
July 9 – 16th (1 berth left)
What to Expect. Both north and southbound will be good for mileage and log book entries. The fee includes full board, except for any meals taken ashore. Only alcohol, when provided with a meal, will be allowed onboard.
Kirkwall is an excellent base with a good marina within a short walking distance of the town centre. Air and ferry services are available. In the event of weather delay Lerwick could be used, the Shetlands also served by air and ferry.
RYA Competent Crew will be available for the return trip to Royal Quays.
Costs Orkneys touring weeks £595, £550 for north and southbound. You will be asked to confirm your fitness and reservation requires £100 deposit with the balance no later than two months before the start, when full joining instructions will be given.
TWO DAYS 30th MAY – 1st JUNE
A two day trip from 8pm on 30th to the afternoon of 1st June. You will stay onboard and leave Royal Quays on 31st for another marina for one night. A trip for sailors with some experience preferred. Up to two places available at £250 each.
Sail on the Clyde this Summer
A seven day cruise out of Ardrossan or Crinan to enjoy the popular Clyde sailing area and beyond.
The sailing yacht to be chartered is a 38 foot Westerly Ocean Ranger Alcuin, which is well known to the skipper Don Gunton. A sturdy boat which will accommodate up to 7 persons, including skipper. The aft cabin has private ensuite facilities.
The week will tour the area depending upon weather and crew strengths.
Dates A Saturday – Saturday week is planned, 28th May – 4th June provisionally
Costings. There are a maximum of seven places on board, to include the skipper: £495 for a single berth with limited storage, £695 for a single berth, one of two, in the aft cabin with ensuite, £595 for a v-berth in the fore cabin & £625 for the double saloon berth
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.
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 £395. In autumn there will be an evening course but dates, and a booking has already been taken, for a daytime course 0930-1430, are October 11, 18th, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29th, December 6th
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.
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). Next Trip; April 25th
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. May 3 – 8th, June 12 – 17th & September, provisionally 18 – 23rd Also Orkneys return July 9 – 16th (extra 2 days) 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. Cost £595. May 3 – 8th, June 12 – 17th & September 18 – 23rd
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 (2015 rate for YM Coastal £181).
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 YouTube
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
Clocks Go Forwards – No, Back
The No 1 problem in RYA exercises is application of the time zone. Adjustment of the hour is a problem in real live situations too when it’s not applied properly.
As all times expressed in almanacs, e.g. Reeds, are expressed in winter time you must compare like with like.
The two captions show the daily page and the secondary port adjustments, all in WINTER TIME e.g. Universal Time (Greenwich Mean Time).
Therefore, if you are in Summer time, go back to winter by subtracting one hour before you make a tidal calculation. Don’t be distracted by the phrase ‘non shaded areas’, as all times are winter,
whether shaded or not. You can always convert your answer back to ‘time on the watch’ by adding one hour afterwards, if you are in summer time.
Remember, the tide turns at some stage and you could just be unlucky and miss the pint in the bar by getting it wrong. There won’t be a happy crew.
Specialist Courses include;
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, a full day; 10th May. Cost £110 plus £60 to RYA Also available One to One at £160 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. Cost £120, plus £9.50 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. This is an infrequent Course and another session may not be available until the autumn.
Watersports for all Ages
At the Marine Activities Centre (Sunderland Marina at Roker) you can get involved in Open sessions on weekday evenings or Saturday mornings. Fun in or on the water in a safe environment, where the family can take part. Up to date, high quality, equipment provided. Only £7 for adults and £4.50 for U16. Book your place call 0191 514 4721 between 1230 and 1630, weekdays.
RYA Basic Sea Survival
Cliff Downing of Sea Safety will actually be delivering this Course and issuing the certificate. Only one, perhaps two, places are still available. Cliff will be coming all the way from Liverpool so it’s not a Course likely to be repeated in the near future. RYA Basic Sea Survival and a video Wet in the Pool
Victims (all) at Sea
Steve Leadbitter has bought a Hustler 30, now in Gosport, and he will need to get used to the bills rolling in…..
Frazer Ventners is now in negotiations to buy a Beneteau 40.7.
Malcolm Wright has been over to la Rochelle to buy a Beneteau Swift, to be trucked home to RQ.
Cruising Yacht in Greece For Sale
Jonathan Colwell is now looking for a buyer for his 37 foot cruising yacht with cutter rig, located in Corfu. He’s now seeking commercial opportunities to sail in the sun and marketing through eBay. Since purchasing in 2013 he has spent over £6,000 to include a Raymarine E7 chart plotter. Price £24,995 but will consider reasonable offers. Try him on 07527 083720 or via myself.
For more information contact me via my web page
Sail Safely the RYA Way 🙂
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