In safe hands
For a modest entry fee (£675 to £875 depending on the boat, and a fee of £325 per person), the World Cruising Club provided advice, support and handled all the paperwork. Berthing costs, trips, meals and prizegiving were included. There was sound advice when needed and a rich vein of sailing experience from which we all benefitted. Halfway through the last leg the engine on one of the boats
Imagine would not start. A new starter motor was required. Improbably, another participant was carrying a spare of the required model. When that failed to solve the problem a relay of vessels towed the crippled boat to harbour.
What did I learn? The sea survival course is not as miserable as I anticipated, in fact it was quite good fun. Sailing a catamaran means I’m carrying more than a spare starter motor – I’ve got an entire spare engine! I made many mistakes but over time they became fewer and farther between. Sailing in warm weather is wonderful – try it. If I can make a voyage like this, so can you.