February 2022

February Newsletter

Ocean Masochists

Debra & Iain proudly displaying their Ocean certificates, as well they might for this challenging Course. The ‘top of the mast’ RYA theory course, ‘only for masochists’ I say for the celestial navigation is particularly tricky and it’s an insight as to how mariners coped then without calculators. Armed with Norie’s Tables calculations and trigonometry had to be swift and accurate. ‘I have to say it was tough, and tested the brain calls somewhat. However – it was great challenge and good company – Debra’.  As a postscript Iain, being a smart a***, checked over his answers to the celestial plot and queried the given RYA answer, to which I checked and agreed with him! This has been reported to the RYA.

Radar Finally

It’s been a long haul but, finally, we are there with a working display. Dating back to August with delivery from PA Lynch, then Storrars to fit the dome all that was needed was to thread the cable. With assistance from Don Gunton and Mark Barry I failed to thread the cable. Finally it had to be a mast off job, at which stage it was revealed why we had the difficulty and this was the small, 3cm diameter, orifice through which cables were threaded to avoid ‘mast frapping’. 

The next stage was to feed the rods through a similar orifice within the mast, featured last month, and with Don I finally succeeded. Next the actual cable thread, now with Tish & Clive and, after the mast had been re-stepped by Alex and Harry, Phil Lynch stepped in with his contortionist job of threading the cable aft to the Display, successfully as shown here.  

Jo & Adrian’s Journey

Jo & Adrian Smith report; ‘Having scoured the market for over a year we finally gave up waiting for a suitable yacht to become available locally and bought  unseen from a broker on the Hamble, Southampton.  Thankfully we had sailing friends based on the south coast that ran an eye over her and we had a full survey to make sure there were no nasty surprises. Apart from new standing rigging she was largely fine for her age and we duly signed the papers and had her transported by road – arriving at Royal Quays in late October. Our daughter arrived on a visit from Canada for the first time in over two years on the same day so it was a double celebration.

Dawn Sky  is a Hunter Channel 31 (British Hunter as opposed to the American Hunter Legend series of yachts).  The hull was moulded in 2002 and sold as a kit.  Unfortunately the owner never started the build due to illness and she went back to the company for completion prior to being sold as new in 2007.

She is 9.24 metres l.o.a – although we now know that she is really 9.7 metres for Marina charging purposes -when you add in the pushpit and pulpit! She is a bilge keel which we hope proves to be a good idea for taking the ground -both intentionally  and unintentionally!

She is billed as a fast cruiser; heavy for her size but with a well canvassed fractional rig with a choice of self tacking or traditional jib. As newcomers to boat ownership the fast cruising thing  remains an ambition but in the meantime we are hoping that she lives up to her reputation for having a forgiving nature and a boat that will look after us as we learn and gain experience.

Although just over thirty feet she does have a good sized double cabin to the stern, smaller but useable twin berths in the forepeak  and  two more potential berths in the saloon, along with a shower in the heads. In practice it will mainly just be Jo and I and hopefully she will prove more than big enough for our future plans for extended coastal cruising from Royal Quays.

Having yet to sail her we are desperate to have her launched and to get under sail. This is planned for end of March but in the meantime we are gaining the unavoidable  experience (and cost) of buying endless bits and pieces of equipment and of boat maintenance – including the dreaded antifouling’.  

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. ‘I have to say it was tough, and tested the brain calls somewhat. However – it was great challenge and good company – Debra’.  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. 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. Next classes in the autumn  Day Skipper Theory.

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 £750 (Zoom £650) for Day Skipper, £795 for Coastal/Yachtmaster™ (Zoom £695) and £850 (Zoom £750) 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.

Sail Adventure June 13 – 15th

On this short Adventure we aim to explore the delights of the North East coast and ports. (even the pubs!)

Departure is from Royal Quays, onboard comfortable Pure Gallus, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 419 built in 2016 to a 2017 model. Twin wheels, space and comfort on deck as well as down below.

Probably the weather will dictate whether we sail north or south and enjoy life onboard overnight in a different port.

This adventure is likely to appeal to inexperienced seafarers.

Costings. There is a maximum availability of four persons onboard plus the skipper, and the prices vary according to the berth; Aft cabin; £550 for one person alone. Saloon, limited stowage; £395. Forecabin with ensuite; £350 each for two sharing or £595 alone, when available

 

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 2021 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; May 3 – 5th (2 places left) 

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.

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 6th & June 17th 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, earlier are full; September 5 – 9th (1 place left), 11 – 16th, 26 – 30th (shared forecabin only left), October 10 – 14th daysailing cost £575. 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, earlier are full; September 5 – 9th (1 place left), 11 – 16th, 26 – 30th (shared forecabin only left), October 10 – 14th daysailing cost £650 ‘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

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. ‘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.’

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!’

Victims (all) at Sea

 

Leticia Trevisan has just sent this image and made me very envious. As can be seen she’s sailing at the end of December off Spain, Vilanova i la Geltru, clearly enjoying herself whilst we are confined to quarters. Grrrrrrrr

 

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.’

Last and certainly not least are;

Colin Graham taking a diversion from his fishing fleet to upgrade his Princess V58 Rocky to a V65 currently on the south coast for improvements before it’s brought home and this will be eagerly watched as this stunning luxury motor yacht will be a ‘Wow’!

Tony Scorer has sold Future and will be looking forward to life without boat bills.

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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Sail Safely the RYA Way 🙂