November 2021

November Newsletter

I am pleased to announce a new Northumbria Sailing course, actually a variation on the popular Practical Crewing. Now I can offer a stayover version where two nights are spent onboard with this three day course. This will also enable us to visit other marinas and enjoy an evening out together. The Course will bring you up to the standards of RYA Competent Crew which is really what is needed when taking a Day Skipper Course (in addition to the theory).

The inaugural course, May 9 – 11th, already has bookings and only the forecabin remains available.

It’s Gallus!

Says Miss Hooley of the popular children’s series Balamory. ‘Gallus’ is Scottish for ‘style’ and hence we were initially attracted to our new boat Pure Gallus for this reason. The previous owner was a Scot and made an excellent choice of name. Pure Gallus has ‘enjoyed’ a very busy season and I’ll be able now to make thorough preparations for 2022 incorporating enhancements designed for better performance and comfort. 

Coastal Skippers & Competent Crew

The final Coastal Course, part of a superb triple where victims typically visited Berwick, Amble and anchored in the Farnes, Beadnell, Newton Haven and other places. Shown here are Jonathan, Martin, Mikhail & Steve the instructor.

More Day Skippers & Competent Crew

Occupying the risky end of season slot were Ewan, Simon, Serpil & Kevin. Due to the time of the year this one is daysailed so all can return home each night for warm up or dry out. The AIS shows a start in the middle of land, not for the first time has AIS given a misleading course.

At one stage the AIS showed 9 knots!! Actually Steve took them out to see what a northerly swell felt like and this was the result. Needless to say, they scuttled back in quickly and had a look upriver instead.

Russian Chocolates

Invariably after a residential course some items are left behind but in this instance were welcomed. From St Petersburg Mikhail Kudryavtsev successfully completed his Coastal Skipper Course and I found individually wrapped what seemed to be chocolates. After checking their edibility with Mikhail he revealed one of the first incidents of the October Revolution in Russia allegedly took place on the cruiser Aurora, which reportedly fired the first shot, signalling the beginning of the attack on the Winter Palace. The Aurora is the vessel featured on the wrapper.

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. Next availability is for a small class probably onboard Pure Gallus at Royal Quays face to face on Tuesdays 0930 – 1400hrs from November 2nd. 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. Try Zoom and enjoy seafarer’s company or evening class; October 13, & 20^th , November 3, 6, 10, 17 & 24^th, December 1, 4, 8, 13, & 15^th (FULL with a January course under consideration) Friday evening Zoom class from November.

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 2022

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 (only forecabin left)

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. 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). ‘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. ‘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 4 – 9th.  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. Cost £250.

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

Newsletter Readership

Rob Langley received a large response to my crewing request in the September Newsletter, and I now know that I had at least 16 readers! Four were shortlisted, two selected and the delivery sail was a great success.

Free Almanacs

‘Seeing is Believing’ so don’t adjust your glasses as this is an unmasked Andy of Storrar Marine presenting me with a load, there were more but too heavy, of Reed’s Almanacs 2020 edition. For even more surprises, if you are a victim, go and visit their showroom off Coast Road and ask for a discount off clothing. 

Croatia Minimalist Sailing

Phil Butler, shown on the right, reports;

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. 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 Course will be February 2022 the date, as yet, undecided. First Aid Certificates   

Pieces of Eight – Knotty Problems Analysed

Boats and their Problems

This time Pure Gallus was, apparently, having battery problems but following investigation the Controller, shown here, was faulty and Ian replaced this with two Voltage Sensitive Relays, bits of kit to ensure all the boat’s batteries are charged (I have 7)

Victims (all) at Sea

Martin Jones and his family sailing back from the Scillies, a challenging place to sail sail to and which, regretfully, islands I have never managed to visit; ‘It was a great experience and allowed me to put a lot of my theory into practice. It also gave me the required night hours for my coastal skipper course!

Lynn Grey and David Stirling were back in Croatia again and one day I received a text from her; ‘I nearly had to ring you this afternoon. But couldn’t get down to the saloon to get my phone. Got caught in big waves and 23 – 27 knot winds and managed to get the jib stuck open. 4 to 5m swells. We were a tad scared but eventually got to shelter and sorted sail and moored. I’m aching from head to foot’. Later I found they had discovered the danger of reflected waves near the coast and safer sailing actually to be found further offshore. Lynn also said they now know the boat could cope with this.

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