January 2022

January Newsletter

Chart Puzzle

This image was taken during a visit to HMS Victory in Portsmouth last summer and the lines puzzled me. Eventually I tried the puzzle on the nautical sage Tom Cunliffe who replied;  ‘Many thanks for the image. Your correspondence has forced me to think more about these lines which one sees often on historic charts. I have heard it said that they assisted in laying off a course, and I’m sure that’s it. In the days before courses were expressed in degrees, they were given as points of the compass. These lines all emanate from what are effectively compass roses relating to the true, not the magnetic grid. Each one represents a compass point of 11.25 degrees. Anything finer than that was set in terms of half-points or even quarters, as in ‘NE x E ½E and so on’. Given a set of parallel rules, a line could readily be found that would allow courses and bearings to be deduced with considerable accuracy.  I’m sure that’s it’.

I also took the opportunity to verify an anecdote and Tom replied; ‘I see Rumour Control has been busy again, but yes – it was my custom when examining Yachtmaster Instructors to slope off to the King Charles a block back from the water while they were mooring. The job should have taken five minutes max. If they were still at it when I returned it was the black spot!’

Winter Maintenance

This is the first opportunity I have had to properly attend to Pure Gallus‘ hull and the antifouling, or lack thereof, which was slowing us down last summer. Another job which was not possible with the mast up was to thread the new radar cable. When she came out I extracted my old surveying ladders, as usual, only to find they were short as Pure Gallus is higher and a new set of ladders needed to be found PDQ!

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

Northumbria Sailing  on Zoom

Following my demonstration to the RYA I launched Online Courses via Zoom in 2020. In order that anyone thinking of this form of Course can see what it involves I will offer the first hour FREE so a decision can be made whether the format is appropriate. Thus I won’t take any money until after this FREE hour has been completed. The Course cannot be as good as with human contact but, in my opinion, this is better than a full online course where little or no direct contact is made with the instructor. This fully online course is reputed to have only 10% success rate. You also enjoy the company of fellow seafarers. The RYA seem to have taken up my suggestion, made last May, to have a free session; ‘Consider providing a free check lesson to potential students who are not sure it will work for them. This will enable you to avoid those that do not have sufficient internet speed, processor speed or graphics capability to use online streaming ‘ – RYA Instructor Guidance for Online. Online information

 

Theory Classroom

Onboard Pure Gallus there’s a classroom suitable for a small class.

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 £575 or £750 on tailored tuition. It’s possible to come for the Celestial Navigation only. The US Navy are teaching sailors Celestial Navigation again as a precaution against cyber attack. US Navy.

RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER The advanced Course, a must for those proceeding to Yachtmaster level. Cost £525 for class & £695 tailored tuition. You need a good knowledge of this Course before being tested by the RYA Examiner. Since the Course was re-written by Chris Slade, one of my RYA Inspectors, it’s a lot more challenging, but relevant. Try Zoom and enjoy seafarer’s company or the traditional evening class from January 12, 15, 19 & 26^th, February 2, 9, 12 & 16^th March 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30^th, April 6^th Zoom classes are arranged according to demand and availability. Phil from 2018 says; ‘Although I knew the YM Theory would be a step up and a challenge the hard work and effort was worth it once I got out there on the boat. That extra depth of knowledge really helped me understand the dynamics of sailing, sea conditions, anticipated weather looming on the horizon and, of course, it’s likely impact on boat handling and the crew’.

RYA DAY SKIPPER  A popular starting point for many. Same Course for Sail or Power. This is a Course where early booking is essential. Classes take place in a modern building in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Included is a half day visit to the School boat. Cost £475 or £395 Zoom. RYA Day Skipper Theory. I’m hoping to deliver a Zoom Course starting January 6th (evenings 1915 – 2115hrs).

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 £650 (Zoom £625) for Day Skipper, £695 for Coastal/Yachtmaster™ (Zoom £675) and £750 (Zoom £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

TIDES In response to demand I’m offering this Course on tides, not RYA Tides, but real UK tides, especially on our North East Coast. Learn how to calculate tidal heights and streams. You will be using Reed’s Almanac and the first session will be for assumed beginners leading to more advanced stuff on the second. Joining is possible for both sessions or just the first and will be at Heaton or The Lock café at Royal Quays, depending on numbers. 0930 – 1400hrs, cost £45 for the first session only or £85 for both.

PRACTICAL COURSES

All local courses take place on the school boat, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 419 12 metre built less than 5 years ago and the type of boat you may aspire to when going out on your own adventures. For full information on what to expect from an RYA Course with Northumbria Sailing you are recommended to click[space_20]

Where Do I Sleep?

On Pure Gallus you will have the opportunity to select your berth and pay accordingly. Singles go in the saloon or an aft cabin with doubles in the forecabin which has private ensuite facilities. Doubling up in the forecabin provides the cheapest deal.

 

PRACTICAL CREWING My version of RYA Competent Crew. Three days, 0930-1700hrs onboard for up to four ideally, sometimes five, and you will be up to the Comp Crew standard. No experience necessary and no need to stay onboard overnight. This was very popular in 2020 and here we see John, Jill, Barry & Derek. Cost £325, weekday only. The RYA Sailing Skills – Level 1 is incorporated into this Course and this RYA certificate will be issued with the logbook marked accordingly. Next availability; April 6 – 8th (1 place left) May 3 – 5th (daytime or stayover) 

This popular Course is now available stayover where you will spend two nights onboard away from Royal Quays and included will be the RYA Start Yachting certificate. There is a maximum availability of four persons onboard plus the instructor, and the prices vary according to the berth; Aft cabin; £450 for one person alone. Saloon; with limited stowage, £360. Forecabin with ensuite; £325 each for two sharing or £550 alone, when available. Next availability; May 9 – 11th (FULL) May 3 – 5th (daytime or stayover)

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 £70 weekday & £85 weekend. Next availability; May 6 & 13th Yes, describing it as a “taster” is an understatement. It was a practical and thoroughly excellent training day. It’s a credit to your skill and confidence to take two complete novices to sailing at sea out into force 7+ and make it feel so easy. Your training plan and instruction was just right and delivered with clarity and a sense of humour which quickly removed any tension. I know Peter had as much fun as I did and we both came away with a heightened enthusiasm. – David  

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, according to berth, from £550 (cabin sharing, £625 alone). Next availability; May 16 – 20th (FULL), May 23 -27th (Forecabin for two) Or see Practical Crewing above. ‘You were a pleasure to have as a guest, instructor and examiner. Your wisdom, advice and encouragement was much appreciated’ – Rachel  

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. For Bareboat charter this is the first qualification to be obtained. Nevertheless in some areas, the Solent for example, a higher qualification is needed and UK tidal requested. An example from one web page; ‘RYA Coastal Skipper Tidal Practical course completion certificate must show the course was conducted in UK tidal waters. For example courses conducted in the Gibraltar & the Mediterranean are not accepted as tidal courses. The ICC qualification alone is not an acceptable qualification’. Cost, according to berth, from £595 (cabin sharing, £675 alone) and you will need RYA Day Skipper Theory and Competent Crew  practical on a yacht at the time of booking. Next availability; May 16 – 20th (FULL), May 23 -27th (Forecabin for two) ‘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 For a murky glimpse of a night sail try Night Sail 

RYA COASTAL SKIPPER PRACTICAL  The ‘top of the range’ RYA practical course providing greater challenges to get you up to the standard to skipper a cruising yacht safely by day and night. In 2021 we sailed as far as Eyemouth and anchored in various places including the Farnes and Beadnell. A sample requirement for chartering a yacht on the Clyde; ‘Skippers must hold/be experienced RYA Coastal practical or Yachtmaster practical when sailing within the Clyde. Outwith the Clyde – Yachtmaster practical’. Prices from £675 depending on your berth. Next availability; September 11 – 16th.  Jonny Colwell gives a detailed review of his YM Examination

RYA START YACHTING  A two day course for beginner groups, which can be the ‘start’ of greater things. You live onboard for two days and visit another marina, away from Royal Quays, when Covid permits. This is a Weekday Course for which a minimum booking of two is needed. Cost from £225 sharing & from £260 single. Next availability, provisionally, June 9 & 10th 

INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (ICC)  This can be done on the same course as Day Skipper/Competent Crew. Costs as per Day Skipper 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 ICC Guidance

Cecil Jupp RIP

On 8th November I lost a dear friend and mentor. Shown here in France following an early adventure crossing the English Channel he was later to accompany myself and Valerie crossing Biscay. Two no seasickness sailors! Other adventures were in the Orkneys and being locked in in an IRA pub on the Isle of Man enroute to Dublin. Cecil was always willing to help with boat problems, especially engines, as he was a practical man but you had to put up with an earful of advice too.

Amble Damage

Karen & Mike Hartley suffered damage to their boat Sigimae during storm Arwen and reports; ‘The boat did take a bit of a battering with Storm Arwen.  The problem was that the floats came away from the pontoon and one of the float pins managed to hook itself over the toe rail.  The buoyancy of the boat then worked against us!  Older son (he who renovated a 1966 Land Rover and is currently renovating a full size steam locomotive) came to help and the three of us tried for several hours to free Sigimae, along with numerous others who generously gave of their time and energy, but we had to admit defeat.  The marina staff agreed to formulate a Plan B which turned out to be a trawler with a big hook at the back which was able to lift the pontoon the following day and free the boat.  All told, when I look at the damage to other boats it could have been an awful lot worse’. 

Old Gaffers

Mark Anstiss mentioned his father’s round England trip taken 15 years ago in a 1953 built traditional cutter Quintet. You can see how Clive and Les got on 2oldgitsinaboat

Mast Off

In order to thread the new radar cable the mast needed to be lifted off and many thanks to Alex and Harry for coping very well with this difficult task. After a few tries we were successful with the cable rods and now the final cable threading will take place asap. (Successfully threaded on 6th with assistance from Clive and Tish.)

 

Northumbria Sailing  on Video

Phil Butler caught Pure Gallus on a windy afternoon.

Have a look at my Theory Training Centre with this video. Training

Onboard the Hallberg Rassy training yacht, now replaced by a Sun Odyssey 419, 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

Specialist Courses   

RYA VHF This important Course is available in class, onboard, online 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.  Cost £115 plus £60 for the RYA. Also available One to One at £180 and online at £95 to include manual. Assessment £60 extra. Next availability February 8th Try these links. RYA Online VHF Radio  and RYA Online VHF video

The RYA require you to book your practical examination at the time of enrolling on a Course. Beware of anyone offering this Course without this.  RYA Practical VHF 

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. Candidates for RYA Yachtmaster examinations are expected to be conversant with radar. Day Course: Cost £130, plus 10.50 to RYA. Next availability February 1st. ‘Thank you very much for yesterday’s course’ – Stephen

CEVNI test for the Inland waterways endorsement to your ICC. Done online, cost £30

RYA DIESEL ENGINE

A Volvo Penta 2003 marine diesel engine will be used for demonstrations and you will get several chances to try your hand at changing filters etc.

The Course is for beginners and will show the simple maintenance tasks you are can do yourself to help maintain your engine in working order. The RNLI has complained that most of call outs are from engine failure where simple tasks have  not been performed. Your rescuing lifeboat may make firm suggestions if this is found to be the case. RYA Examiners have requested greater knowledge from candidates. Cost £130 plus £10.50 for the RYA Pack. Maximum 6 persons. Next availability March 1st.  RYA Diesel Engine

 

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 £79 plus £29 (includes instruments) for the RYA Pack. Online Navigation

RYA FIRST AID. All day for the RYA certificate, valid three years. Find out the latest recommendations on what to do at sea from an experienced sailor with over 50 years in nursing to include A & E. Cost £95 plus £7.50 Pack. To check which certificates are acceptable to the RYA e.g. for examinations. Next availability February 15th First Aid Certificates   

Pieces of Eight – Knotty Problems Analysed

To Run or Not

I preach that you are safer with the wind forward of the mast, but what if your destination is downwind and the storm will get you there quicker, but only if you keep control and hold your course. No 2 son, Nicholas gave a book to me entitled ‘A Voyage for Madmen’ and I thought ‘I have seen this before in books and film’ as it’s about the 1968 Golden Globe Race where a competitor, Donald Crowhurst, quietly exited in Brazil and re-joined when the leaders came back again from the Southern Ocean. In fact it makes compelling reading but learning also as this extract, debated in yachtie circles, shows;  Bernard Moitessier on Joshua trailed warps providing so much drag progress was very slow when he remembered another seafarer’s secret;’ ..quickly cut away all five trailing lines.

Back at the helm, he immediately noticed the change. Gone was Joshua’s sluggishness. No longer a sitting duck to be pounded and swept by the great seas, she now raced away before them. He ran the boat downwind as before, but as each wave approached, he gave the wheel a slight turn at the last minute and took the wave at an angle of 15 to 20degrees. The wind hit her side, heeled, and off she flew, planing across the surface of each wave. The speed gave her rudder greater control and she responded instantly to the helm when the wave was past as Moitessier brought her stern into the wind again. The enormous waves, their apparent force reduced by Joshua’s speeding away from them, now rolled harmlessly beneath her quarter.’

Victims (all) at Sea

Richard Smart has sailed Kestrelle away from Royal Quays to waters new on Scotland’s west coast, taking in an RYA Coastal Skipper Course on the way; ‘Apart from the drive up to Portavadie we’re enjoying it immensely.  It’s a lovely mix of ‘Lakes’ and ‘Sea’  in that you can do leisure cruises as well as serious sailing passages depending on mood (and weather of course!!).   Have managed to get my wife, Christine, up there 3 times now, once on a long weekend trip around Arran staying over at Campbeltown, again over the August Bank Holiday with my mum (82) doing Bute and the Kyles, staying at Port Bannatyne for a couple of days and trying to avoid the submarines and the Waverley, and once for a long weekend pottering around doing odd jobs and some touring around in the car.

We had hoped to do a return trip to Ballycastle last weekend (and add 2 more qualifying passages to the log) until the weather changed – our Southerlies are the equivalent of the your Easterlies and tend to rough the sea up a little, but with strong winds, poor visibility and heavy rain for two days thrown in we thought better of it. Hopefully will try again the weekend after next.’

Own Boat Tuition & Courses

If you have your own boat and would prefer private tuition or an RYA course then these are possible. Your boat would need to be acceptable of course and a daily rate for an instructor would be quoted.

This is why I’m in the Sailing Business

From Ian;

‘It is difficult to put into words how brilliant a day Elaine and I had with you yesterday. From start to finish you displayed knowledge, professionalism, and patience with a pair of eager novices . In short it was a brilliant day which far exceeded our expectations

Thank you so much for showing us so many different facets of the rudamentaries of sailing and we will contact you shortly to arrange more training. I hope you will be able to join us on the start of our journey from extreme incompetence to one day, with your continued guidance, the dream of being able to class ourselves as competent crews.’

Sailing Today Podcasts

Try these Podcasts Sailing Today Podcasts.

Yacht Delivery

Try Simon and crew who successfully delivered Pure Gallus from Brighton. Anyone wishing this service can obtain an online quote :Wright Marine  

Reader’s Links

A section featuring links of a maritime interest sent to me.

Steve Austin has uploaded this video of our 2018 Adventure sailing a traditional Dutch flat bottomed boat

Phil Butler highlights the unexpected and rapid shift in Earth’s Magnetic Field.

Phil Butler again with very useful advice on mal de mer. Seasickness 

Peter MacLaren mentioned this article about a Yacht Delivery Skipper’s Life.

Peter Chater has found a remarkable way of plugging a failed seacock – with a carrot! Sea Cock Repair

Peter Chater sent this one about a fisherman suing as a result of a collision Fisherman Sues

Peter Chater again – ‘How about this for a large yacht collision’  Antigua 

Nigel Hierons saw this news item about a flare  Flare in recycling explodes

Franek Richardson sent this  Time Lapse

Phil Butler mentions the two women rescued after 5 months at sea in the Pacific.

Stuart Porter took and posted this great dolphin display, quite the best I have seen North Sea Dolphins 

And finally from myself, try this one for a Broach    

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