SPECIAL REPORT
However big the personality, every yachtsman has their weak points on the water. It can be anything from pangs of fear brought on by manoeuvring in an unfamiliar marina to wanting to master the complexities of celestial navigation. For me, it’s the dark arts of the foredeck. I have never really fully absorbed the subtleties of smooth spinnaker handling. For others it might be not knowing how to fix the complicated electrical and mechanical systems that come with modern boat ownership, lacking confidence in certain conditions, or needing to adapt their boat handling routines to sailing double-handed or solo.
Rather than take an off-the-shelf training course, an increasing number of boat owners are choosing the bespoke option – getting an expert in their field to teach them one-to-one. Whether for a day or a month, own boat tuition presents an opportunity to learn exactly what you want at your own pace.
“Despite sailing together for ten years, having been based in Dubai, our passagemaking experience was limited to day sails of no more than a few hours,” explains Theresa Carew, who now lives with husband Paul aboard their Jeanneau 44DS.
“With a plan to spend six months every year cruising, we both wanted to improve our practical sailing skills and get some realistic experience of distance sailing. Our new boat needed moving to her first cruising ground in Turkey, so it made sense to engage someone that could teach us what we wanted to know on the way.”
Having shortlisted several companies, Theresa and Paul spoke at length to Pete
Green, owner of Halcyon Yacht Deliveries, before agreeing that he would join them as skipper/instructor for the delivery from Lignano in Italy to Kusadasi in Turkey, teaching them along the way.
“We both had different things that we wanted to get out of the trip,” explains Theresa. “Paul had done his Yachtmaster theory whilst we were living in Dubai and wanted to complete his Coastal Skipper practical exam, while my main concern was increasing my own level of
WILL BRUTON