Caribbean Xmas

Setting sail from St.Lucia we have headed South to Bequia, Union Island and our final destination Grenada. Once past St. Vincent we have experienced some great sailing and visited a few wonderful bays. Each bay appears to have its own special character and even the town of St.Georges on Grenada has a very personal feel to it. Last night the atmoshpere was truly local with steel pans and market stall lining the streets, the Xmas Eve last minute shop happens over here as well but fortunately its Caribbean time and nobody seems to rush! Unfortunately for us we have to cut our adventure short and will be flying back on the 27th Dec. The adventure is not really over, more like postponed, we will be back i'm sure.

Arrived in St Lucia

We arrived safely after 21 days at sea, leaving Gran Canria we had all hoped for araound 19 days but the main thing was to arrive safely. It is impossible to sum up an Ocean crossing in just a few words but overall it was great experience. Naturally there were highs and lows, which included turtles, whales, dolphins, lots of fishing and some magnificent stars along with the acceptance of being totally alone in the middle of nowhere. Of the lows, sleep deprivation, giving the cruising chute a wash mid Atlantic and severe rope burn to both hands.

Having spent a week in Rodney Bay recuperating, it is now time to move on and let the adventure continue as we head South towards the Grenadines for Xmas in search of quite anchorages and more Caribbean culture.

The excitement builds

Sunday 20th November is approaching fast, 99% of the boat checks are complete and the excitement is building as the start date comes ever closer. The seminars are proving interesting and provide at least a couple of new ideas in addition to reinforcing best practices, lets hope they keep us safe and that the crew and boat arrive in tact!
Shopping is proving the most popular passtime for the majority of yachties in a last minute attempt to empty all the shops in Las Palmas of any food products, its reminescent of the major food stores on Christmas Eve in the UK.
Hoping to explore ashore this afternoon as we can finally start to relax - if were not ready now, it ain´t going to get looked at and well have to just deal with issues as they arise.
Really looking forward to setting sail and starting the second leg of our Caribbean adventure.

Hooray - arrived in Las Palmas

Safe in Las Palmas, following a windless journey from Gibraltar which seems kind of ironic seeing as our departure was held up by foul winds we arrived in Gran Canaria on Friday late evening.
The trip down was uneventful with everything working well on the yacht, one of the advantage of light winds was being able to troll a line of the stern and our efforts were rewarded with 2 fish suppers (very yummy). Having departed from Gib just after midday we cleared the straits and set a course along the African Coast although planning to stay well off. In all the excitement we tried to settle into a night watch but none of us got much sleep the first night. Thankfully after a short period you get so tired that as soon as you come off watch and your head hits the pillow your out for the count. Its weird how your body apapts and on our first night back in port none of us slept well again as we kept waking up to fulfil our watch duties!
The atmosphere in Las Palmas is vibrant, there are still around 40 yachts to arrive, but we are here and resting before the next leg. The yachts are adorned in code flags and look very colourful, the crews are all in good spirits and there seems to be a party every night for those that can cope with it all.
Today we booked in at the ARC office, had our safety check and passed with flying colours so all is well on that front, we are planning a job day tomorrow before heading off for a swim followed by a paella and bottle of wine. We decided that a paella was almost compulsory as it will be some time before we have another opportunity to sample one.
Looking forward to all the seminars next week, hoping to learn lots and pick up some good tips which we can then use in the school.. Will set up a link on the website with tracking reference details and boat number which is 118 as soon as we know oursleves.

The Adventure begins

Our Caribbean adventure has begun, the yacht we are crossing on Kinnirossi Blue has arrived in Gibraltar. El Rubicon has been winterised, our bags are packed and we are set to meet the yacht in Gib. However a massive low pressure sitting in the Atlantic is delaying our departure to the Canaries until the weekend, hopefully it wont leave too much fetch. The prospect of seasickness at the outset is not going to inspire the crew with confidence!
Still it gives us time to gather our thoughts and take in what we are about to attempt, crossing the Atlantic under sail is not to be taken lightly and the weather will play a major part in our plans, our current delay is weather related so it clearly isn't doing us any favours at the moment, lets hope its just asking us to show it the the respect it deserves and will behave itself from now until we arrive in the Caribbean.

Countdown to Southampton Boatshow

The countdown has begun to the start of this years Southampton Boatshow.
Don't forget to come and see us on stand J105 where we will be launching information on our new Tidal sailing venue - Isla Canela. You can now join us as we sail between La Manga and Isla Canela on the Spanish/Portuguese border. Contact us for more information on our extended cruise and Tidal sailing courses.

Boat show news

Find Mar Menor Sea School at stand J105 working in conjunction with Yacht Port Cartagena, everything you need for boating in Spain.

Southampton Boatshow 2011

Come and visit Mar Menor Sea School at the Southamtpon Boatshow which runs between the 16th-25th September 2011, you can find us on stand J105 in the Sailing School and Yacht Charter hall.

Southampton Boat-show

Mar Menor Sea School will be exhibiting at the Southampton Boat-show which runs between the 16th-25th September. We will be promoting RYA sailing courses, ourYachtmaster fastrack programme, yacht charter and sailing in Spain.
Stand details are still to be confirmed so will advise ASAP
Come along and have a chat, find out more about us and join us for a coffee.

Ibiza Sailing

Our annual Cruise to the Balearics is well and truely under way. This year unfortunately Mallorca has not happened due to a combination of unsettled weather and yacht issues, however Ibiza and Formentera have plenty of bays to visit and with Southerly winds we are currently sitting in the delightful Portinax bay.
The winds have been fickle and the skies overcast at times but we have experienced some good sailing so far and were sure there is still more to come. Looking at the weather there is a window of NE coming in on Tuesday so it may be the day to cross back and spend a few days tracking down the Spanish coastline.
More information on our Sail Cruising experiences can be found on our website.

Ibiza and Mallorca

Our annual Cruise in Company is now full for 2011, we thank all those that expressed an interest in joining us and for those that could not make it this year, make sure you put your names down early for the 2012 outing.
Please come back in a few weeks and read about this years trip, Ibiza and Mallorca are good sailing grounds and were confident that this year will be even more FUN packed than previous year.

Summer Fun

Easter is proving dissapointing on the water sports front, strong winds, rain and uncharacteristic weather are putting a damper on the holiday period. So here´s to hoping that this summer will be a fun packed affair with sailing, diving, windsurfing and snorkelling all on the cards.

Our Balearic Cruise in Company still has a couple of remaining spaces for fellow boat owners to join in the adventure and experience a new cruising ground. Call us today to book the last remaining spaces and take part in this annual and very social sailing event leaving La Manga on the 4th June heading to Ibiza and Mallorca. Click here for more information.

Balearic Cruise in Company 2011

We still have spaces for a couple of yachts on our annual Balearic Cruise in Company, setting sail from Tomas Maestre in La Manga we plan to sail directly to Mallorca and explore the East coast before crossing back to Ibiza and Formentera.

The Cruise leaves on the 4th June for a 14 day adventure to what is considered Spain's most prestigious sailing area. If you wish to join us with your own vessel please forward your details, for those without their own yacht, you can join us with a cabin charter aboard El Rubicon.

Cruising in the company of other yachts can be a very rewarding experience, so don't miss out come and join us for an unforgettable couple of weeks afloat.

For more details please click here or contact me 00 34 968 143 718

Barcelona World Race

The 2 handed round the World race is coming to a close with the lead boat Virbac Paprec 3 only a few miles from the finish line. Once again this has proved an exciting and well organised event as Spain once again asserts itself on the sailing World.
With many top events now choosing to host at least part of the regatta in the Country we hopefully look forward to increased interest and movement on the water. With miles of coastline, long sunny days and reliable winds we are extremely lucky to be able to spend the summer season sailing in these waters, even if it does not prove to be quite as exciting as the Barcelona World Race or Velux 5 Oceans.
Fair winds

VHF radio and 1st Aid

We will be running the RYA 1 day VHF radio operator licence and 1st Aid courses on the 15th and 16th of April, there is still time to put your name down so call Debbie +34 968 143718 or contact us to reserve a place. Cost is 120€ p.p

Wanted - Marine Diesel

We are looking for a marine diesel engine to use for classroom training, can be dead or alive but must be complete.
Collection possible - call Shane 695 326 184

Learning a new language can be difficult

Living in Spain, I am truely aware of just how difficult it can be to learn a new language. Not being able to communicate or fully understand what is going on around you can be frustrating and at times even intimidating. Our time in SE Asia has highlighted this as we can just about order a beer and curry in most places we visit. Sailing terminology can be compared to learning a new language and whilst I am fortunate to speak this language fairly fluently there is still a lot of words that I have absolutely no idea what they mean, so to make it easier for newcomers into sailing I have put pen to pencil and started a beginners guide to Yottie lingo, this guide should help with your first few days afloat and may even impress a few friends in the pub even before you get afloat with your new found knowledge of halyards, warps, jackstays, etc.
Good luck 

Ladies only sailing

There are few sailing schools that offer Ladies the chance to sail only with other females, the thinking is that many females would like to try sailing but find it daunting to be on a yacht for 5 days with a group of strange men. The training will be exactly the same but you can learn on the company of other females ensuring that any snide comments and toilet seat issues will be left strictly dockside.
RYA Competent Crew and Day Skipper certificates are issued on successful completion of the 5 days and a fun time is expected, so come along and join Debbie for a great weeks sailing and the opportunity to meet new friends.
The first of these weeks is planned for the 15th-20th May

Days off in Ko Lanta

Since we arrived in SE Asia, things have been pretty manic, finally we are enjoying some downtime, having spent a few days in Phuket, we took the ferry to Ko Lanta, which so far is proving to be a real gem. Nice hotel and plenty to do with nice beaches lined with bars and eateries.
So far have seen some stunning countryside and attended a Thai cookery class, today we have been elephant trekking and snorkelling. Tomorrow we transfer to Ko Lipe before returning to Langkawi on Sunday to start another course that night, will be heading South to Penang which is another favourite so looking forward to that. The food is abundant and magnificent, the beer is ice cold and the shorts are getting tighter, hopefully its only short term!

Ao Chalong YC

The new YC at Ao Chalong proves to be an up and coming RYA theory centre. The club has grand plans and is open to visiting yachtsmen offering food, drink, showers, water and accomodation if you want to get ashore for a couple of days.
In April they are running a series of races every second sunday and having recently organised the Phang na bay regatta, race fever is set deep within the club.
Welcoming and well priced, if your in the Ao Chalong area its worth a visit.

Phuket week off

Following a pretty busy schedule since arriving in Langkawi in November, we are now looking forward to a week off in Phuket before visiting a few Islands on the way back. Thailand is definetely the place if you want to enjoy good food and relax, so we are quite excited about chilling for the next few days, before returning to the grindstone and finishing off the winter season as we only have approx 6 weeks left in Asia.

Crew offered

We have a delightful lady based in the UK but who is looking to sail either in the Caribbean or SE Asia. She has recently completed her Competent Crew and is now looking for sailing experience on a fun yacht with a mixed or all female crew.
If you are looking for crew in either of these locations, please get in touch so I can forward her details

Boat share opportunity

We are seeking ivestors for a boat share opportunity in a Bowman 57 to be coded for Ocean sailing. The aim is to move the yacht around the most prestigious charter areas and grant investors sailing weeks in the Worlds top cruising grounds.
The yacht will also be on charter and offering potential Ocean sailors the chance to take sextant sights and experience offshore cruising during the relocation phases.
All intersted parties should contact Shane for more information and costing. Those willing to take the plunge could be sailing a 57 foot yacht in the Worlds top cruising grounds for the cost of a small family car.

Windy Phuket

Just back from an interesting couple of weeks sailing, leaving Langkawi we actually had to hoist the storm jib as we beat into 40 knots of wind. Having to hoist the storm jib in anger is something we rarely do and I can only recall having to seriously hoist it once before. Confident that the winds would ease approx 20 miles up the coast often caused by local winds funneling through the islands, I was glad to be correct in my assesment as continuing onwards would have been both uncomfortable and foolish. The winds stayed with us for nearly 2 weeks staying at 20 knots plus providing us with some exhilarating sailing and interesting boat handling around the marina.
Thankfully the winds eased once back on the eastern side of the bay and we enjoyed most constant 10-12 knots which after the previous week almost seemed a little dull. For those of you that know me, you´ll be aware that i´m never happy!
Back in Langkawi the winds are still blowing so we are looking forward to the next couple of weeks.

Catamaran enquiry

We have had an enquiry from a client who wants to do his Day Skipper on a Catamaran - does anyone know of a sea school offering this type of training. Own boat tuition is not an option at this stage so the school needs to supply the Cat. Any information gratefully received

Langkawi Race week gets going after fluky start

The Royal Langkawi Yacht Club hosts this now anual Regatta in January. Following light winds at the start of the week the Racing is now well underway as competitors fight it out round the cans. With a great turn out  of 50 boats there are a series of classes so everyone has a chance of winning. With boats coming from as far as Hong Kong, this regatta is for the more serious racer and in line with the Kings Cup in Phuket.
Well organised and supported I question why we do not see such event along the Spanish Coastline, sure there are the odd regattas but these generraly tend to be Club racing, making them closed shop. Also the Asian Regattas tend to be run over a week with events going on off the water and enough sailing talk to keep even the most hardened of sailors happy.

Crew wanted

45ft Catamaran leaving Phuket end of Jan to cross Indian Ocean and onto Red Sea, looking for crew preferably non-smoking. Contibution towards food and running costs. Please contact me for more details if you are interested

New Fastracker get a windy start

The fastrack group that started on the 2nd January have been spoilt so far with near perfect winds down to Penang and back, some strong tides provided excellent ferry gliding opportunities and overcast skies provided milder temperatures. So far the guys have performed well and already well above competent crew level, still a long way to go yet until the Yachtmater exams but looking promising so far....