Spain Yacht Info

Getting ready for 2012

2012-01-23T22:42:00.000+01:00

2012 is hopefully looking like a good year so far, with bookings coming in and enquiries up on last year. Its full speed ahead as we try to get Mar Menor Sea School ready for the coming season, the boat has been lifted and is now on the hard for antifouling and a polish. There a new mainsail to bend on but we are still trying to source a genoa, the existing one is still good but it would be nice to have a complete new suite to play with.
RYA courses start on the 12th February so we have to be ship shape and Bristol fashion for our first guests then.

Caribbean Xmas

2011-12-25T12:17:00.000+01:00

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

2011-12-18T13:24:00.000+01:00

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

2011-11-16T12:27:00.000+01:00

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

2011-11-13T00:12:00.000+01:00

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

2011-11-01T11:08:00.000+01:00

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

2011-09-13T18:27:00.000+02:00

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

2011-07-22T12:42:00.000+02:00

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

2011-06-30T18:23:00.000+02:00

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

2011-06-12T09:24:00.000+02:00

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

2011-06-12T09:14:00.000+02:00

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

2011-05-16T18:45:00.000+02:00

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

2011-04-21T16:19:00.000+02:00

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

2011-04-04T21:23:00.000+02:00

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

2011-04-04T10:39:00.000+02:00

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

2011-04-01T06:35:00.000+02:00

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

2011-03-17T01:26:00.000+01:00

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

2011-03-13T09:28:00.000+01:00

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

2011-03-02T01:48:00.000+01:00

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

2011-02-25T16:11:00.000+01:00

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

2011-02-22T02:15:00.000+01:00

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

2011-02-17T16:27:00.000+01:00

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

2011-02-13T08:07:00.000+01:00

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

2011-02-06T04:28:00.000+01:00

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

2011-02-06T04:22:00.000+01:00

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

2011-01-23T03:32:00.000+01:00

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

2011-01-14T02:32:00.000+01:00

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

2011-01-10T11:51:00.000+01:00

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

2011-01-10T11:47:00.000+01:00

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....

New Year Resolutions

2010-12-30T07:07:00.000+01:00

Every New Years Eve millions of resolutions are made, often many are broken within a few days if not sooner. But if this year you have promised to try something new and exciting, with the opportunity to travel and make new friends or maybe you have been dreaming of life on the Ocean waves, this could be your year to see that resolution through to the the end.
Our learn to sail courses start in April and go through until the end of October. Mar Menor Sea School will be having 2 intakes of Fastrack students for 8 week courses taking you from novice to Yachtmaster Coastal or from Coastal Skipper all the way to Yachtmaster Offshore.Intake dates for 2011 are the 17th April and 4th September.
For those looking to take one step at a time and learn following the more traditional route on the 5 day liveaboard weeks then that is fine by us, it just takes a little longer to produce the same results.
For more information on sail training or sailing in Spain please email Debbie, Skype us: gonsail or call 00 34 968 143 718 and leave a message and number and we will get back to you.

Countdown to Barcelona World Race almost over

2010-12-29T02:48:00.000+01:00

The countdown to the start of the Barcelona World Race is just a few days and hours away, as the crews and their teams put the finishing touches to the boats before the Race starts on the 31st Dec. The winds look reasonable with an E and NE forecast, although very light in places so the weather routers will be working hard from the outset to ensure they don't get caught in any wind free zones.
With teams saying their farewells as many of us celebrate with friends and family, lets raise our glasses and wish them good luck and hope they all return safe after taking on the elements. Follow the race and get the latest pictures, weather conditions and updates on how the teams and their yachts are fairing in one of the World toughest sailing events that also starts and finishes from Spanish shores.

Paramount Theme Park Fever

2010-12-28T12:49:00.000+01:00

It seem that most people in Murcia are suffering from Paramount Theme Park Fever, I seem to be receiving plenty of mail suporting that theory so can only assume that it must be contagious. Whilst it will make no real difference to the sailing community it will have an indirect benefit in opening up additional infrastructure and communications in the Region. With many airlines cutting back on flights into San Javier the Theme Park may be great news after all is the new Corvera airport makes up for the shortfall. So lets hope the Park goes ahead and provides a means of air travel into the area

Merry Xmas from Malaysia

2010-12-26T03:32:00.000+01:00

Xmas in Malaysia is not a big affair, having gone shopping on Xmas eve expecting the manic crowds that gather in Europe we were pleasantly surprised with the civility surrounding the shopping malls. Hoping to track down some Xmas carols and maybe a mince pie or two we stopped off in Starbucks, managed a coffee but no mince pies. Likewise the carol singers were absent, at least they were playing carols over the tannoy although it was still not feeling like Xmas. Having survived the shops our minds turned to dinner, now the problem was that everything closes on Friday in Langkawi and tonight this seemed to include all the local restaurants as well. Last year we went to a buffet in one of the local hotels so thought this would be a safe bet, it turned out to be their Xmas dinner meal and the price had doubled, with a stoke of luck we managed to get a preferential price and enjoyed some fabulous food complete with entertainment. When I say entertainment that term is used quite loosely, it reminded us of Pontins or Butlins, still we got our Xmas carols and Santa even arrived on the back of a Harley Davidson, clearly he had been enjoyed a few days on Langkawis beaches as he was looking rather tanned! Still the kids didnt seem to mind as he dished out presents.
With little going on we decided not to waste Xmas day and walked up the 580 odd steps that take you to Seven Wells, the start of a waterfall nestled high in the hills, there are two main pools and having stopped at the lower pool we decided that there were far too many people so we pressed on to the top pool. The views are remarkably and bathing in the fresh water just below the waterfall added a special something to the day. Once back at the car park our legs were like jelly and clearly a sign that we need to get a little fitter in the New Year! Xmas dinner was managed at Mangoes where Michelle and Lutz once again excelled themselves in turning out good western food. It still doesnt feel Xmassy here but a great time has been had, especially when talking to friend and family in the UK and Spain who are under snow with the central heating on full, which reminds me the temperature yesterday was around 35 degrees C. To view our Xmas pictures visit our facebook page, we are having a few days off from sailing but will be back on the water from 2nd January hopefully heading South towards Penang and Port Klang

Coastal Skippers sign off

2010-12-18T02:19:00.000+01:00

The 2010 Langkawi Sailing School programme has reached Coastal Skipper level, congratulations to Will, Axel, Kevin, Neil, Daniel and Jeff. Unfotunatley we say goodbye to Will, Axel and Daniel but after a short break we look forward to helping Neil and Jeff all the way to Yachtmaster, there is still much to learn whilst maintaining and sharpening existing skills, but with mile building sailing trips on the cards for January there are plenty more adventures and new destinations to explore. Keep up the good work guys, for more information on the Yachtmaster Fastrack programme follow the link or contact us.

Anchoring on a Lee shore

2010-12-18T02:01:00.000+01:00

Basically this is one of the first rules of anchoring DONT do it, anchoring on a lee shore is not a smart move and frequently ends in disaster. On a recen tsailing trip to Thailand we anchored in a beautiful bay, having been there a couple of hours the swell started to build and I developed a bad feeling. The decision was made to move despite it now being being dusk and raining hard, setting anchor on the other side of the headland we spent a peaceful nights sleep, at first light there was an influx of yachts that were anchored in the first bay, many with tales of waking up only a short distance from the shoreline having dragged anchor. Those guys had lucky escapes, many of the Kings Cup regatta fleet were not so lucky, following a day on the regatta circuit the crews had stayed ashore and came back to the bay to find 6 of the fleet on the beach and a catamaran broken up on the rocks. Anchoring on a lee shore is never a good idea and if the weather turns you should have an escape route and safe alternative, personally I never feel happy leaving the yacht unattended and this unfortunate episode shows why. For more tips on anchoring technique click here

A taste of the Tropics

2010-12-11T14:00:00.000+01:00

A couple of weeks ago we were at the mercy of a mini heat wave, what a difference a week makes. This week has comprised of light airs and torrential downpours with frequent squalls passing overhead. Currently in Thailand it would appear that there is little we can do to avoid the downpours and squalls. Whilst the temperatures have remained high, it is a very different weather pattern to that experienced last year. Hopefully the NE monsson will kick in soon and the great sailing will return, will be heading back to Langkawi this week and look forward to the challenges ahead.

Two seas, two Worlds

2010-12-05T00:45:00.000+01:00

In Thailand they use the words `Same Same´ to describe many things no matter how different they may be, our current location could be described in much the same way. Whilst many of our clients are suffering from cold and even snow in the UK, we are experiencing a bit of a heat wave with soaring temperatures as we leave the rainy SW monsoon season. With Xmas less than 4 weeks away there appears to be little evidence of any celebrations and with the heat it feels nowhere near that time of year. I remain fairly positive that this year will not be a white Xmas in Langkawi, in fact I am not sure if they have ever had snow here. Still we are looking forward to a bit of time off and will celebrate Xmas in a different manner.

Engine problems

2010-12-05T00:34:00.000+01:00

So far we had a testing week, the fuel lift pump gave up the ghost and we had to drfit in no wind for nearly 22hours on our way back from Thailand, fortunatley the wind picked up and we were able to sail again. In fact by the time we had arrived at Langkawi the sailing was so great that we didnt want to stop despite being tired. The following day a new fuel pump was installed and off we went again only to have the gearbox fail on us, so far the week was testing my mechanical skills and with no forward drive there was little option but to reverse into the marina and berth much to the amusement of any onlookers. They must have all been wondering why we didn´t come in forward like everyone else!
The lessons learned are great experience, always carry extra rations and be prepared for an extended trip. Keep on top of engine servicing schedules (although this was not to blame here) and make sure you can sail the boat in very light winds.
It also makes you realise how fortunate we are to have mostly reliable engines in modern boats, in the old days many a sailor will have spent hours wallowing around waiting for wind before tacking up a narrow channel to pick up a mooring buoy. It is these skills that we teach during the Yachtmaster training just in case we take a trip down memory lane and find ourselves without an engine, proving that training is invaluable and skills such as sail trim to sail in light winds, sailing into an achorage or onto a harbour wall are not only desirable but at times crucial. For more information on higher level Yachtmaster training click here

Barcelona World Race

2010-11-21T03:17:00.000+01:00

The Boat show has been and gone, but the City retains strong Maritime links and on News Years Eve will host the start of the World Race, a two person race around the World Starting and Finishing in Barcelona. The City hosted the event a few years ago and received praise for putting on such a good show, so I am sure that this year will be just as good if not better. Hugo Boss will be racing with English Skipper Alex Thompson, you can get up to speed with the event and keep an eye on Alex´s progress here, following a strong attempt in the last race he is even more determined this year. The boats will sail down the Spanish Coastline before heading out into the Atlantic, making it possible to catch a glimpse of these fantastic racing machines and their crews.

Barcelona Boat Show a success

2010-11-21T03:07:00.000+01:00

The organisors are praising themselves on there efforts and success of the 2010 show. Apparently attendance figures and boat sales are up on previous years, whether this is true or not only time will tell but it would be nice to see a step towards recovery of the Spanish nautical sector. They are predicting even more succes next year with the show celebrating its 50th year. Whilst very different to the UK shows, it is till worth a visit especially when combined with a few days in one of Spains most bustling Cities.

Yachtmaster success

2010-11-14T12:37:00.000+01:00

In at the deep end, our first week in Asia and straight into YM prep. Congratulations to Otto Minuto for passing and I am pleased to say that all went well. The Yachtmaster exam can be stressful but with the correct level of previous experience the candidates should have an enjoyable day and Otto even found that he learnt a few tips off the examiner as well.

Sailing in Langkawi

2010-11-14T12:30:00.000+01:00

Having safely arrived in Malaysia, we had just one day before setting sail with our new students. The weather played its normal tricks for this time of year and we went from glorious sunshine to tropical downpours within minutes. Weaving our way through the numerous islands we experienced a great settling week anchoring off deserted islands and eating local food. Other than the torrential rain I can say that we have missed Asia and are glad to be back. The International crew added to the fun and a great week was had by all, at least the rain is warm!

Friends of Go-n/sail and Mar Menor Sea School

2010-11-03T09:19:00.000+01:00

This section is for friends and clients of Go-n-sail and Mar Menor Sea School, we are asking for your experiences in particular those relating to a recent sailing trip. Just give us a brief outline of the trip, a picture of the boat and crew along with any lessons learned or advice you wish to pass on.
You can upload the info direct to the site under this section or if you prefer to mail me the file I can upload it for you.

Wintering in Almerimar

2010-10-30T14:57:00.000+02:00

Almerimar used to be a popular winter stop over for cruisers in the Med, on a recent visit it seemed extremely quiet, with plenty of available berths. Its hard to say exactly what is keeping the people away, it could be a whole manner of things, from the Global recession, to Spains apparent insistence in collecting revenue from visitors or maybe the marina itself, if you are planning to spend the winter there or have recently left - your feedback would be welcome.

Sailing School now closed for winter

2010-10-26T10:08:00.000+02:00

Mar Menor Sea School is now closed for the 2010 winter, we will be returning to Spain in April 2011 and launching our new comprehensive Yachtmaster Fastrack programme as well as continuing with the popular RYA sailing courses.
Over the coming months we will be sailing in Asia but can still be contacted by email, telephone or skype: go-n-sail
In 2011 we are planning more adventure and cruising sailing, starting off with the Balearic Cruise in Company in June exploring Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca, perfect for anyone looking to experience a new cruising area or just do something different.

Worthwhile read

2010-10-24T19:48:00.000+02:00

I wanted to let you know about a reasonably interesting book I have just finished, Occupation Circumnavigator by Lars Hassler, it tells the story of a Lawyer and Stock Broker who dropped out of society to live his dream. The book proves that anyone can follow their dreams with a little planning and luck. Not sure we will be setting off just yet, but the urge for a Circumnavigation is growing and we will of course be inviting guests to join us on the way, so if you fancy sailing in some of the Globes most exotic and remote locations, register your interest and we will keep you posted when we are ready to set sail, until then I will keep the dream alive by brushing up on skills and some internet virtual sailing.

Mar Menor channel silting up?

2010-10-23T09:17:00.001+02:00

The channel allowing access to/from the Mar Menor into the Med appears to be silting up, there have always been a couple of shallow areas although recently we have been recording depths of 2.2m on both the corner at the end of the buoyed fairway and if exiting the Mar Menor or Tomas Maestre the second port fairway buoy by the old sluice gate. Official figures suggest that the channel should be around 4m all the way through, however this is clearly not the case and if further silting is experienced over the winter period it will become questionable as to what yachts will be have access. El Rubicon draws just under 2m and with the recent silting I have been a little nervous watching the depth gauge plunge wondering if it will level out before that horrible rubbing sound as you come to a complete halt... As any sailor should know, the Med is non tidal and running aground is simply not a case of waiting for the next tide to float you free, whats worse the bridge only opens every 2 hours so if you have complications that cause a delay then you are likely to miss the bridge opening as well. Lets hope they dredge the channel for 2011, if not it will be a case of continuing to nudge forward and keeping your fingers crossed.

Naked Lady spotted in Tomas Maestre

2010-10-21T09:11:00.000+02:00

We have now closed the school for the 2010 season, El Rubicon has been totally stripped and winterised giving her a rather Naked appearance, strange on the eye considering she is normally laden with safety gear, sails, outboards, etc. However our Naked Lady will be fully dressed once again next year when we return from Asia in April to continue sail training courses and yacht charters in Spain. You can still contact us in the normal manner or drop us an email and anyone looking to sail in paradise can join us in Asia as part of a relaxing sailing holiday or to further RYA qualifications in Tidal waters.

Barcelona Boat Show 2010

2010-10-18T09:16:00.000+02:00

The Barcelona Boat Show or Salon Nautico as it is called in Spain runs between the 6th -14th November. This is Spains largest and most important nautical show, split between purpose made exhibition halls and floating exhibitions, bus connections take you straight from the airport to the venues so there is no need to drive around the City.
All main dealers will be exhibiting with plenty on offer to tempt your wallets, as with all Boat Shows there is something for everyone from shackles to Superyachts, so if you've been looking for an excuse to spend a few days in this vibrant and cultural City, this could be the excuse you have been looking for.

ICC 3 day course still popular

2010-10-15T20:53:00.000+02:00

Congratulations to John and Eric the latest Mar Menor Sea School students to pass our 3 day ICC course. With some previous experience in yachting and dinghy sailing, both candidates worked hard and deserved to pass. The combination of theory and practical creates an interesting learning environment, giving student the opportunity to learn at their own pace with real life situations and experiences.
Well done guys and stay safe on the water, remember this is just the start and there is plenty more to learn.

Fastrack Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore starts April 2011

2010-10-12T10:24:00.000+02:00

Our intake for the first Fastrack course in 2011 will take place in April, not only does the Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore Fastrack courses provide you with all the knowledge necessary to become a first class sailor, but it will provide an amazing adventure taking you along some of Spain best Cruising grounds. Experience the Islands, the Costas, Morocco, Gibraltar and even the Algarve in this 16 week adventure. We give you the best of sailing with an interesting mixture of locations that are both tidal and non-tidal, various weather conditions and of course share our expertise.
For more information visit Mar Menor Sea School or contact us either by email or phone.

Diesel Bug

2010-10-12T10:11:00.000+02:00

Recently a colleague suffered this unfortunate sympton and it almost ruined a cruise with friends, fortunately they are easy going people and managed to make the most of a poor situation. The Diesel bug as it is generally known, is effectively contamination of the fuel system by microbials that clog the filters and fuel lines, it emulsifies the fuel making it sludgy and the end result is that the engine wont run very well or very long!
There are many additives that can be added to the fuel claiming to keep everything clean and in tip top condition, however the best way to combat this unfortunate sympton is to be selective where you buy your fuel and alway try to leave the tank full especially when leaving the boat for a period of time. The daily temperature changes and tank airspaces create the perfect breeding ground for these microbials, water condensation is the prime culprit where the droplets form on the inside of the tank before sinking to the bottom where the microbial spores feed on hydrocarbon fuel and multiply, so the less airspace the better.
If you are unlucky enough to experience the dreaded bug, there appears to be little remedy other than draining the system, flushing through with clean diesel and re-filling, changing the filters is simply not enough as they wil re-clog in next to no time.
As mentioned there are many additives on the market and in the past I have seen a sytem flushed through by passing the contaminated fuel through a series of filters several times before returning to the main tank.
If you have overcome the BUG in the past, let us know what methods were used and how successful the results were

Star Flyer comes to Cartagena

2010-10-09T09:33:00.000+02:00

Cartagena has seen plenty of activity this week on the cruise front, Tuesday we saw the Oceana and Thursday it was the more traditional Star Flyer a 4 masted 360 foot sailing clipper. This magnificent yacht is a pleasure to see and when they set sail there was even token gesture of some sail as she ghosted out of the harbour. The vessel can caters for 170 guests with 75 crew, giving a totally different experience to the modern cruise liners that look more like a block of flats rather than the traditional older ships with more elegant lines. Star Clipper lines have 3 ships altogether with Star Flyer and Star Clipper being sister ships, she now heads off across the Atlantic but we hope to see her again next year.

Yacht Port Cartagena winter deals

2010-10-06T08:39:00.000+02:00

This well organised and spacious marina located in the heart of the historic city of Cartagena is once again offering some great rates for long term or winter berthing, if your a Catamaran owner its even better as they are charging monohull prices. Located only 5 minutes form the centre everything is to hand and public transport access is good as well with bus and train stations only minutes away. Murcia San Javier airport is only 20 minutes by car, there is plenty of parking and the marina is secure, so you can leave your boat with total peace of mind.
Give them a call to recieve a quotation on +34 968 12 12 13

Mar Menor Bridge

2010-10-06T08:30:00.000+02:00

The 'El Estacio' bridge that allows access from the Mediterranean to the Mar Menor and vice versa has yet again changed its opening hours. Its new winter hours are 10.00, 12.00,14.00,16.00, 18.00 and 20.00 hours, these dates took effect on the 1st October. We found out the hard way having missed the bridge once again!

Wanted - sailing help

2010-10-01T14:09:00.000+02:00

Looking for a couple of keen sailors, preferably with knowledge of the Spanish coastline to assist in updating our pilot book and carry out further research on anchorages etc. Berths offered on a shared cost basis. Looking to sail mid to end of October and go as far along the coast as weather will permit. Call Shane for more details on +34 653 468 472

ICC course still proves popular

2010-09-30T17:34:00.000+02:00

Our popular 3 day ICC course still proves to be popular, despite the economic downturn, it would appear that a few people are taking advantage of market forces and purchasing yachts at knockdown prices. Spanish authorites insist on an ICC or higher RYA qualification if sailing a British Registered boat in Spains coastal waters, so don't get caught out. Call us today on +34 968 143 718 to find out more about training and getting legal.

Spanish Marinas hit new low

2010-09-24T11:06:00.000+02:00

Is it just me or do Spanish marinas all seem to be extremely quiet at the moment. It is usual for a calm period after the hectic Spanish summer but thing appear a little quieter than normal. Travelling round we have been lucky to see more than a handfull or people around the places, that even includes most of the boatyards. What is going on and does the same appear to be true in your home marina, please let us know.

El Rubicon back in the Mar Menor

2010-09-17T17:17:00.000+02:00

El Rubicon has returned to her normal berth in Tomas Maestre marina in La Manga. Now back on the Mar Menor she is resuming RYA sailing courses with a special offer of only 450€ p.p for all Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses in October.

October Special

2010-09-14T09:54:00.000+02:00

To celebrate the close of yet another season, we offering all RYA courses at the reduced rate of just 450€ per person. This offer covers the entry level 5 day Competent Crew aimed at novices as well as the 5 day Day Skipper for those with some experience looking to take command of their first vessel or the 5 day Coastal Skipper for intermediate to advanced with greater experience. The offer does not include Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore.

All courses are 5 day liveaboard and include all breakfasts, lunches and 2 evening meals along with all bedding, wet weather gear and lifejacket. The only extras are transport to and from the yacht, meals ashore and a couple of beers after a hard days sailing. So take advantage of this great offer and get RYA sailing qualifications at a reduced rate. Hurry, spaces are limited to 4 clients per course and will not stay around for long at these prices. Courses start 4th,11th,18th and 25th October.

To book or discuss which course is best suited to you, please email us or call Shane 00 34 653 468 472
For more information on RYA Sailing courses click here

El Rubicon comes homes

2010-09-14T09:21:00.000+02:00

Following a reasonably busy summer season, we have left Mazarron behind and are en route to return to the Mar Menor and our usual berth in Tomas Maestre, La Manga. El Rubicon plans to be back on the Mar Menor from Wednesday this week. RYA Courses now resume, so if you want to learn to sail with our Competent Crew course or are looking to improve skills with Day Skipper or above, we can help.

Ladies Only Sailing

2010-08-26T09:29:00.000+02:00

We have one space remaining for our Ladies Only week running between the 12th -16th September, so if you fancy gaining RYA qualifications and learning to sail with other Ladies join Debbie for the week. Learn new skills with our Competent Crew course aimed at total novices or those with basic knowledge and looking to gain confidence aboard yachts.
Call Debbie on +34 695 326 184 or email us for more information. If calling from the UK use our cheap rate number 0872 426 0836

Audi Mecup in full swing

2010-08-26T09:20:00.000+02:00

THe Cartagena leg of the Audi Medcup, sailings equivalent to Formula 1 gets in full swing as the winds are kind off Cartagena. Following a windless morning the afternoon breeze kicked in and some great racing was had. Congratulations to the British TeamOrigen who picked up podium finishes, skippered by Olympic Hero Ben Ainslie I had high expectation for this team and so far they are showing lots of promise although a podium finish on the overall event looks unlikely at this stage. Hopefully the Team will be fully bonded and perform well in next years Regatta.

Torrential downpours and storms batter Spanish coastline

2010-08-21T19:11:00.000+02:00

Following days of unsettled weather the heavens finally opened, torrential rain fell for a couple of hours and the sun baked land could not absorb the sheer volume of water. Dry river beds filled and flooded out to sea bringing with it tonnes of debris and detroying wildlfe habitats. It saddened us to come across a fox sitting on a 3 mile stretch of floating debris, unfortunately there was nothing we could do to save it and prevent the innevitable from happening in a few hours its raft would break up and without food and water things would deteriote quickly. Even after a few days, the water in Mazarron bay is only just returning to its usual cristal blue appearance.

Mar Menor bridge El Estacio causing confusion again

2010-07-30T22:26:00.000+02:00

The La Manga bridge that gives access to the Mar Menor from the Mediterranean El Estacio continues to cause havoc and confusion to boaters. Once again the opening times have been altered, the new times for August should be 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 19:00 and 21:00 hours

Summer has arrived

2010-07-25T17:02:00.001+02:00

The summer sailing season has cleared arrived, temperature are topping 35 degrees C which in turn create perfect sailing breezes. Average wind strength around the bay this week has been just under 20 knots so there has been no shortage of sail boats on the water.
Don;t miss out, whilst the bulk of Spanish yachts will head for the Balearic Island over the coming weeks, try something different and explore the coastline between Cabo de Palos and Cabo de Gata with its much reduced pace of life (and cost). Discover sailing long stretches of un-developed coastline and its stricking hills that often lead straight into the sea.

Mooring Buoy Technique

2010-07-19T22:46:00.002+02:00

Anchoring is becoming less popular in certain places, in a bid to protect the delicate marine environment Mooring Buoys have been laid at various Hotspots along the coast, picking up the buoy can be extremely easy or inmensly complicated for the unprepared, read on for our tips on how to avoid disaster

Alternative energy catamaran in Mazarron and Costa Calida

2010-07-18T20:01:00.000+02:00

WWF the World Wildlife Foundation has visited the port of Mazarron with its alternative energy catamaran powered entirely by solar panels. The rather strange looking vessel produces enough power from its panels to power the twin 8 kw motors, the vessel will remain in the area for the next couple of weeks and will be making stops along the Costa Calida and Blanca in a bid to raise awareness of envirnomental issues and the benefits of alternative energies

Sunset Cruises prove popular

2010-07-18T17:14:00.000+02:00

Reliable sea breezes, stunning clear water and magnificent sunsets over the Mazarron hills have provided our clients with an amazing sailing experience. The sunset cruise proves popular despite missing out on a swim, the stunning scenery and sundowner continue to exceed peoples expectations. Come along and find out for yourself what this beautiful bay has to offer and experience an evening sail that will surely be the highlight of your holiday. To find out more contact us or call Debbie to book your place.

Audi Medcup 2010

2010-07-12T19:03:00.000+02:00

The Audi Medcup returns once again to the historic city of Cartagena for the 4th leg of the prestigious Mediterranean race circuit. The exhilaration of watching the TP52 and GP42 race around the cans is hard to describe. We are offering you the chance to get up close to these racing machines and experience professional racing waterside. For more information on this fantastic day out please call Shane on 653 468 472
The competition runs between the 24th to 29th August 2010

Mazarron and Spain go bananas

2010-07-12T18:51:00.000+02:00

Congratulations to the Spanish fooball team on their achievement, in Mazarron and throughout Spain the celebrations went long into the night. The streets were lined with supporters and roads ground to a halt with seriously overloaded cars with body hanging from anywhere they could get a grip, flags were flown from every window and there were people even dancing on their own bonnets. Amidst the celebrations there were no signs of drunkeness or violent behaviour, the only form of danger came from the bangers and firecreackers being let off at every opportunity. Well done to the team once again and well done to the supporters who made a fun and very noisy night. The streets were very quiet this morning when we slipped to go sailing, needless to say our crew this morning were not Spanish as they had partied hard and showed no signs of stirring early this morning

Mazarron wildlife

2010-07-07T21:23:00.000+02:00

This week has been exceptional, a good start to the charter season, some fantastic sailing and following 3 years of no wildlife, in the last 2 weeks we have seen a turtle, dolphins and small swordfish. Encouraging signs that fish stocks may be replenishing and great for us as people are asking for dolphins trips!

Coastal Skipper success

2010-07-05T09:54:00.000+02:00

Congratulations to Paul and Arjun who both passed the Coastal Skipper exam on Friday, with a mixed bag of weather they achieved all the task set down by the examiner and earnt themselves the new Yachtmaster Coastal certificate

El Rubicon arrives in Mazarron

2010-07-01T11:13:00.000+02:00

El Rubicon has made numerous visits into and around the Mazarron area over the last couple of weeks allowing us to meet up with the numerous friends and clients we have acquired over the last few seasons, booking are starting to take shape for the summer and it would appear that our 3 hour sailing trips remain as popular as ever. Currently in Yacht Port Cartagena, the yacht will be based in Puerto Deportivo Mazarron from Saturday 3rd July until the end of August, so if you fancy a few hours afloat, are looking for an interesting day out or are simply curious about sailing, give us a call and book a trip for only 35 Euros per head.
Half and Full day charters are also available, please call Debbie 00 34 695 326 184 for more information.

Coastal Skipper training goes well

2010-07-01T11:06:00.000+02:00

This week has been rather hectic for the students at Mar Menor Sea School, reasonable winds have led to challenging yet exhilarating sailing conditions. Coastal Skipper training has been in full swing and the guys have had to cope with numerous imaginary engine failures around the harbour and are now well practiced at sailing onto harbours walls and around anchorages. The man overboard buoy has also been extremely active and thankfully was succesfully recovered to live another day. The week has been intense but rewarding, the spinakker even made a guest appearance on the evening of the night sail.
Well one guys, you have been a pleasure to sail with.

Go-n-sail cruise arrives in Mallorca

2010-06-11T22:13:00.000+02:00

Following an early start, the flotilla had to motor the short distance between Ibiza and Mallorca, the forecast winds SW4 occ 5 failed to materialise and we encountered variable winds with what remained of a 1m ground swell. Our chosed anchorage in Sant Elmo turned out to be suffering from the effects of the swell and the fleet is now relaxing in Port Andraitx before deciding on our next destination when the weather is updated tomorrow morning.

Cruise in Company arrives in Ibiza and Formentera

2010-06-09T22:26:00.000+02:00

Go-n-sail Cruise in Company arrives in Ibiza, following a long sail up to Villajoyosa and an early start the next day we arrived in Cala Sahona before spending a peaceful night at anchor. Monday we made the short hope round to Cala Oli to pick up a bouy and go ashore by dinghy via the shallow lagoon. Meeting up with the crew over lunch we then set sail for Espalmador, where we took a picnic and drinks to the beach.
Picking up the weather there where strong winds forecast so we headed for Santa Eulalia for a couple of days R & R, a few beers and group dinner ashore and the R& R side of things was off to a good start, today most of the crew have been sight seeing in Ibiza old town, whilst others hired cars and toured the inside of the Island. The weather is still looking a bit iffy but the plan is to slip here tomorrow and anchor in Cala Churrasca on the Northern part of the Island, hoping for an early start on Friday to cross the 55 nm passage to Mallorca.

Mar Menor Bridge Opening

2010-06-04T16:47:00.000+02:00

The access bridge to the Mar Menor 'El Estacio' has new opening hours, the new hours are 08.00, 10.00, 12.00, 18.00 and 20.00 hours, these times should now be set for the summer, however the bridge broke down again earlier this week and did not open at all for a day, fingers crossed it will run smoother coming into the busy sailing season.

Yachtmaster Training

2010-05-22T20:28:00.000+02:00

We will be holding a Yachtmaster training prep week starting on the 28th June 2010 with the exam to be taken Friday the 2nd July. So if you are ready to test your knowledge and skills or just want to have a great week afloat and get an inside view of what it takes to earn an RYA Yachtmaster qualification, then contact us for more details.
The week is suitable for all levels and you will get to crew for the candidates big day.
Guaranteed learning experience with emphasis placed on higher level skills and close quarter boat handling.
If taking the Yachtmaster Offshore or Coastal examination a fee is payable to the RYA, please consult us for costs.

Beat poor exchange rates

2010-05-22T20:20:00.000+02:00

With the Euro not performing at its best, we have decided to offer our RYA sailing courses in dual currency at the improved exchange rate of £1=1.20€ providing the payment is made into our UK account

Sailing adventure

2010-05-22T20:17:00.000+02:00

We have 1 space remaining on our 14 day sailing adventure from mainland Spain to Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca departing La Manga on the 5th June 2010. Grab it quick before it goes and be part of this fantastic adventure.
We will be sailing in the company of 6 other yachts and their crews, making it a very sociable event.
One way trips are available (7days) or take part for the entire 14 days at only 700€ on a half board basis.
To save you money you can even pay in GBP with an exchange rate of £1=1.20€
So dont miss out, call Debbie +34 695 326 184 for more info or to book your space

Sailing Trips Mazarron

2010-05-14T19:08:00.000+02:00

July and August - join us in Mazarron for a 3 hour sailing trip around the beautiful Mazarron bay, anchor and swim in crystal clear waters. 3 trips daily starting from 10.30 am, call Debbie to book +34 695 326 184
Booking advisable for more details visit the go-n-sail website

Sailing Holiday

2010-05-14T19:01:00.000+02:00

Looking to sail in some of Spains most spectacular scenery, berths are still available onboard El Rubicon as part of our flotilla cruise to the Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Formetera. Join us on a 14 day sailing adventure or if time does not allow 7 day one way trips are available between La Manga and Mallorca or vice vers for the return trip.
Travelling as part of a 6 yacht flotilla there is plenty of time to socialise as well as experiencing some fantastic sailing around these stunning Islands.
14 day half board only 700€ per person (10% discount for couples) or 7 days half board for 450€ per person.
Contact Debbie for more information + 34 968 143 718 / +34 695 326 184 or email info@go-n-sail.com

La Manga battered by strong winds

2010-05-11T20:58:00.000+02:00

The La Manga and Mar Menor area is a windsurfing and kite surfing hotspot, this week has seen the strip battered by strong winds and the adrenaline seekers have been taking advantage of the conditions in their favourite playground. Yacht sighting have been in low numbers this week but that is mainly due to it still being early in the season with many only come down at the weekends, one thing is for sure it is rare for this area to be becalmed, although it does happen occasionally.

Ladies only sailing

2010-05-10T16:33:00.000+02:00

Come on girls, take advantage of this golden opportunity to give sailing a go without a bloke in sight. Join Debbie our female skipper for a FUN day out, spend the day on the Mar Menor and learn the ropes so to say.

The offer runs between the 30th May until the 3rd June, so break away from the norm and give something new a go. Cost for the day including lunch is 40€ per person.

To book or find out more, call Debbie on +34 968 143 718/+34 695 326 184 or email tuition@go-n-sail.com

Try a sail day

2010-05-10T16:13:00.001+02:00

Fantastic oportunity for anyone wanting to experience the thrill of sailing. Come along and join us for a day on the water, get involved and learn to sail, do as much as you like or sit back and relax, the choice is yours.

For many, the idea of sailing is a mere dream, we can help you fulfil those sailing ambitions and allow you to effectively try before you buy with these sailing taster days. If you enjoy yourself which were sure you will, why not come back and complete the RYA competent crew course and kick start your sailing career.

Aimed at first timers and novices these days out are relaxed yet informative, we even provide lunch.

The Try a sail days run between the 30th May until the 3rd June. Cost is 40€ per person, to find out more or book your space, call Debbie on +34 968 143 718/+34 695 326 184 or email tuition@go-n-sail.com

Balearic Cruise in Company

2010-03-04T13:51:00.001+01:00

This June we will be heading for the Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca as part of our annual Cruise in Company flotilla, we are still taking entries for boat owners and their crews wishing to join us for this FUN and very social crossing.

For those without access to a yacht, fear not operate a cabin charter scheme aboard the lead yacht El Rubicon, priced at 700€ p.p. for the entire trip on a half board basis or we can offer a 7 day one way trip priced at 450€ p.p. So break away from the norm and do something different, join us for a FUN packed sailing holiday in what is possibly Spains best sailing scenery.

The flotilla sails from Tomas Maestre in La Manga on the 5th June 2010 passing under the 10 am bridge and returns on the 19th June.

Numbers are limited so offered on a first come, first served basis, so don't delay call Debbie +34 695 326 184 or e-mail us at info@go-n-sail.com to book or find out more..

Modular Fastrack Coastal Skipper Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore

2010-02-20T12:51:00.004+01:00

Coastal Skipper DOT is now called Yachtmaster Coastal and from 2010 we will be offering modular Fastrack courses so you can learn at your own pace. Following our winter in Asia we have teamed up with our colleagues in Langkawi and our pleased to offer a split Fastrack course between Spain, Portugal and Morrocco with the second half of the course being done in SE Asia between the stunning tidal locations of Langkawi Island, mainland Malaysia and Thailand.

8 week novice to Coastal Skipper, including Day Skipper and Coastal/Yachtmaster theory.
8 week Coastal Skipper to Yachtmaster, including Coastal/Yachtmaster theory.
16 week beginner to Yachtmaster, start at the beginning and work your way from Competent Crew up to Day Skipper whilst learning to navigate, before stepping up a gear to Coastal Skipper and then fine tuning all those new skills before sitting the Yachtmaster Offshore assessment. It´s not easy but with dedication and some of the best instructors in the industry you will get through!

To find out more information on sailing courses and RYA sail training call us today on +34 968 143 718 / 695 326 184 or drop us an email to discuss the right course for you

Mar Menor bridge plays havoc with yachts

2010-02-07T10:03:00.001+01:00

The bridge (El Estacio) that provides access to the Mar Menor from the Mediterranean has been affected by the Spanish recession, the San Javier Council are reluctant to fund the operation of the bridge and have cut the openings to only 2 per day instead of the 2 hourly opening between 0800 - 22.00 hourse that we have always had.
The current situation is that the bridge opens at 10.00 hours and than once more at 19.00 hours, needless to say this is causing some inconvenience to nearly everyone with a yacht, powerboats are not so readily affected by the reduced operations although some of the larger craft in Tomas Maestre will not be impressed, at this stage what the outcome will be is anyones guess.
With a long tough winter coming to an end, many businesses were looking forward to and hoping for an improved summer trade in 2010 but how the San Javier decision will affect them remains to be seen.
One thing is for sure, yacht numbers entering the Mar Menor will be down and this can only result in a downturn to local business.
Will keep all boaters updated as/if the situation changes.

Sailing licences in Spain

2009-04-18T06:18:00.003+02:00

Licences in Spain seem to be a grey area, the EU appears to offer little in the way of support leaving many in a no win situation. To make matters worse, you get a different answer from each official you speak to and even that can change depending on what day of the week it is!
Basically under Spanish Law, all boats over 2.5m must be registered and someone onboard must hold the relevent licence as detailed below.

ICC power or sail - valid for craft upto 24m
Titulin - suitable for craft under 6m and less than 50hp engine not more than 3 nm from the coast
PER - boats upto 12m and 12 nm from the coast
Patron de Yate - boats upto 20m and not more than 60 nm from the coast
Capitan de Yate - boats upto 20m and unlimited mileage

With SSR registered the authorities seem to be happy with an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) or Yachtmaster, basically any licence with a picture and stamp from the Royal Yachting Association on it. They will not accept the standard Day or Coastal Skipper attendance certificates, the good news is that if you hold one of these you automatically qualify for an ICC.
Acquiring an ICC is straightforward and most RYA sea schools can help, for more information check out www.marmenorseaschool.co.uk
Owning a Spanish registered boat is slightly more complicated, the authorities expect you to hold their sailing qualifications, which can only be taken in Spanish making it unachievable for most of us and I speak good Spanish!. The easiest solution is to approach the local Capitania and get them to issue a letter stating that the holders licence complies to a certain level i.e. PER or above and that the Maritime authorities are prepared to accept this as a means of proving compliance.

Barcelona Costa Brava

2009-04-18T05:34:00.005+02:00

Helping a friend out for a couple of weeks I found myself flying into Barcelona and taking a quick tour of this beautiful city before catching the onward bus to Platja D'aro. Sailing a Beneteau 473 is always a great experience for me as she is a little bigger than what I normally sail. The forecast was for everything from rain and thunderstorms, to strong winds and total calm. Thankfully the total calm never arrived and we managed to sail everyday bar one, even if we were heavily reefed at times. Living further south you get used to the sun and its easy to forget that it like England, the Costa Brava is green for a reason! Despite a few thunder and hail storms which passed quickly, the sun did make several appearances, sailing this time of year is always tricky as you need everything from full foul weather gear to shorts and t-shirts, the only thing you can be certain of, is that you will need to wrap up at night. Cruising the Costa Brava is a must, the area is peppered with quaint villages and coves begging to be explored. In my opinion this is a fantastic sailing area which gets better the further north you go, although it does experience a lot of strong winds and swell. Keeping an eye on the Barometer and getting regular weather updates is crucial, but thats the same anywhere you sail.

I found the harbours of Saint Felieux, Port D'aro and Palamos to be expensive even during the low season, but L'Estartit, L'Escala and Rosas all offered a warm welcome and were very reasonably priced. Like any coastal region of Spain, the towns are quiet at this time of year, but start preparing for the tourist from now onwards. Most businesses are open, even if they run a shorter timetable.

Access is easy with budget airlines operating into Barcelona and Girona airports, there are also good train and bus links with the rest of Spain.
Have you sailed this area, let me have your comments

Wet n wild in Gibraltar

2009-03-29T19:07:00.003+02:00

Sailing in Gibraltar is always interesting, whilst it is not the most easiest of places on the eye, the wind rarely fails and the straits themselves can be challenging. With a mixed bunch of Day and Coastal Skippers on board, we set off across the Straits, destination Marina Smir in Morocco. Strong winds allowed us to make the crossing in just over 2 hours and we enjoyed an excellent meal ashore having declined the ´Carpet tour´. The following day we spent the morning performing marina drills before setting sail for the Spanish mainland, the plan was to arrive in Duquesa, have some dinner and go for a night sail. Just outside the marina we blew the impellor and coasted very gingerly onto the waiting quay. Impellor fixed we tried to start the engine only to have a jammed starter motor. Time was ticking by and I called it a day, frustrated but determined not to be beaten, we fixed the problem in the morning and were back out on the water by 11am, the winds were blowing well and we took a trip upto Estepona where they tried to charge us for having a coffee on the waiting quay. Needless to say we moved on quickly and popped into Sotogrande where we had the same experience. We did manage to squeeze an hour out of them as we were planning the postponed night sail. Heading back to Gib, the light went about 5 miles short of Europa Point and finally we were sailing in the dark! Dodging the anchored ships and those entering the bay is always challenging, chuck in a force 6 gusting 8 and we really needed to have our wits about us. Friday was already upon us, we had kept the wind all week and had a fantastic weeks sailing.

Straits of Gibraltar

2009-03-22T20:17:00.002+01:00

Everything can change with a phone call, a quick 5 min conversation and I as on my way to Gibraltar to help out Peter from Power and Sail Academy. In true Gibraltar fashion the winds were blowing and we had a fantastic week sailing between Gibraltar, Spain and Morocco. The second week was a mile building trip upto Portugal, with gales forecast things were not looking good. Storm bound and going stir crazy we finally made it out of the Straits on Thursday morning. With 40 knots of wind, a favourable tide and 2.5 m swell we were spat out of the Straits before the conditions eased and set a course to Chipiona. Passing Cadiz bay is always a pleasure and this time was no exception, due to time constraints we literally touched and went from Chipiona and headed back to Barbate. After doing battle with the Tuna nets laid outside the harbour we touched and went again, back through the Straits, by now the wind had eased and changed direction, out came the cruising chute and we achieved 10 knots over the ground. By the end of 2.5 solid sailing we managed 286 Nm and had a thoroughly fantastic time. The area is always challenging and the shipping movements are continous so you need eyes in the back of your head. Anyoe lookig for a challenge in warm tidal waters should contact me for more details

Battery power

2009-02-26T19:52:00.005+01:00

Battery power is a real problem on most boats, has anybody used trailing generators, wind turbines or solar panels? Share your results / problems with everyone.

Having spent the Med winter season sailing in Langkawia and Thailand we have been teaching on a Beneteau 350 fitted with 2 x solar panels and a wind turbine. On a 3 week trip we did not plug into shore power once and did not need to start the engine to charge batteries. Is the conbination of panels and turbines the way forward? Problems we noticed are that first you have to fit some kind of frame to fit the panels and keep the turbine from slicing the crew in half and the frames tend to ruin the lines of any yacht, secondly the wind turbine can be noisy and slight vibration can be felt throughout the boat.

Sailing Spain

2009-02-26T19:41:00.003+01:00

If you have any information you need to know or wish to share with others, lplease leave comments, post a topic or contact me so I can add it the blog.

La Manga to Almerimar adventure

2009-02-26T18:39:00.006+01:00

Sunday 22nd February
Depart La Manga under 10 am bridge, forecast looks good with NE3-4 and sunshine. They got the sun bit right but wind is more SW2 and looking like we could be heading the wrong way. Motor sailing to Cabo de Palos things don´t look any more promising rounding the headland. Fishing rods come out to relieve the boredom of the engine, another hour on and still no wind or fish. Nearing Portman the wind decide to play ball , backing and increasing to F3, we sailed into Cartagena to make a brief stop to collect some paperwork. About to come alongside Antonio hurls a package at us and waves us on, attracting quite a bit of interest from onlookers.
Joking about what could be in our package, we set sail for Mazarron. Were having a cracking sail down with sightings of dolphins and whales, but still no fish! About 3NM from Mazarron, we were plunged into darkness with total power failure, with various craft around us we decided that being seen was fairly important, especially as we had acquired a strange package on route and did not want to be seen acting suspiciously. I conceeded and on came the engine taking us into harbour wth no further ado.
The normally bustling town was quite and as we crept in under the cover of darkness, the Marinero seemed glad to see us.
Monday 23rd
Following a good nights sleep we slipped the lines and laid a course for Garrucha. It could not have been a more perfect day on land, a nice sunny day with not even a breeze, finally the wind picked up around Aguilas and we goosewinged our way down the coast, more dolphins, still no fish. At last something tugging at the lure, only instead of dinner it was a young black tipped gul, We had to bring it aboard to free it, operation seagul complete the creature lived to see another day. Arriving in Garrucha the staff were helpful and efficient, the facilities are basic but the showers are steaming hot and construction is underway to create another 300 berths. Heading into town for a beer we struggled to find anywhere open as being a monday the town was closed for business and not a true reflection of whats its normally like. Returning to the boat the Guardia Civil paid us a visit, I started to get a bit nervous but they just wanted paperwork.
Tuesday 24th
Hooray, wind in the morning. After fueling up we set sail for San Jose, excited about the prospect of making it under sail. The forecast was still for NE winds, we currently had W3 but were under sail, up went the spinnaker and things were looking good. Sailing can be a cruel sport and the wind backed and eased, eventually we conceeded and started the engine. At last our first fish, unfortunately it was only small so we put it back for another day, chugging along the coast we decided to pop into Carboneras and see what was there. The answer is basically not a lot, the harbour consists of a basin and lots of fishing huts with no facilities for Yachts and if stopping overnight you take your chances lying alongside a fishing boat.
Back enroute to San Jose we were making good time and scrapped San Jose in favour if rounding Cabo de Gata, the wind picked again and we were again goosewinging down the coast, with the wind increasing near the Cape, two Guardia Civil boats passed us but there was little other traffic, cruising down this stretch of coast I had forgotton just how rugged it is and how many abondon watch towers lined the hill above. Gata radio gave out an Easterly gale warning so we carried on to Almerimar which according to our pilot book gave the best shelter. Entry in the dark was an interesting exercise as the leading lights put your over the line of temporary buoys laid to avoid the shoal areas. The entrance silts but still read 3m on the depth gauge, we spent the night on the fuel quay, once secured we headed for a nightcap and somewhere to warm up.
Wednesday 25th
Booking in we checked the forecast and the warning was still in place, resigning ourselves to spending a day or 2 here we transfered to a transit berth. Mid morning the wind started to pick up and it looked like the weather man had got the forecast right. Fortunatley Almerimar is a lrger marina with plenty to do and good facilities, sitting out the day also gave us the chance to look into our battery problem. Tracing through the system we found 2 faults, feeling confident we had located the problem, I turned off the battery charger overnight before turning in. The wind blew through the night and with vibration in the mast and snatching lines not many of us slept.
Thursday 26th
Groggy but awake I pried myself out of the bunk and went straight for the Voltmeter, shock horror back to 10.8volts on the batteries, more investigation required. With no sign of the wind easing we set about some small maintenance jobs before attending a talk by one of the liveaboards about cruising in Italy, very interesting and an excellent way of sharing information.
Hoping to leave Friday and head into Almeria bay before setting a Northerly course back home. Next weather forecast 22.00 - fingers crossed.
Friday 27th
Forecast NE 5/6 easing E4, we put one reef in the main and set out, within 5 minutes we had another reef in and was thinking about turning back but the boat now seemed settled and the waves gave way to a swell. 2 hours on we had covered about 2 NM and Aguadulce was looking like an epic journey, finally round the headland we spotted the town of Roquetas de Mar ahead and gradually mangaed to increase our SOG, by the time we were level with Roquetas we were doing 6.8 knots under a handkerchief of a headsail and 2 reefs, not bad.
Entry to Aguadulce was straightforward and the staff helpful, pulling into our berth the Marinero handed us a ground line and by the time we had it on the bow we had acquired 4 other lines, the previous occupent had managed to leave us a pile of spaghetti. One of the lines got tangled around the prop shaft, fortunately we had the sense not to engage the engine, once we had the boat semi tied up, it was on with the wetsuit and in for a swim, other than getting wet it was all resolved in a couple of minutes. Tomorrow is a fiesta Dia de Andalucia and the forecast is still not good to round Cabo de Gata, looks like we may be staying a day or 2 here. Been having lots of problems with our internet connections but managed to Skype my niece in Australia and wish her a happy birthday, what would we do without the internet and Skype.
Saturday 28th
Had a cracking sail along to Almeria, popped into the Club de Mar and had a look around before sailing onto San Jose, we managed the entire leg under sail with the wind increasing to S5 as we rounded Cabo de Gata. San Jose is very pretty although small and expensive, after stretching our legs ashore we returned to the boat for a BBQ. Overall it was a restless night with the wind building and clanging halyards (not ours).
Sunday 1st
Another cracking days sailing with S5 sweeping us the coast, with a building following sea. Reefing down made little diference to our speed and we arrived quite quickly at Aguilas where there is a new marina. After locating the marina we tried to call as there were no visible boats inside, fearing that it was not yet open and adding to the breaking surf culminating in the harbour entrance we decided to play safe and go onto the old harbour. Hoping for calmer water as we entered behind the outer wall, imagine our dissapointment to see all the masts impersonating pendulum clocks. Fear of another sleepless night got the better of us, we set sail for the protection of Mazarron and continued up the coast, the sea and wind was starting to ease and we tied up around 22.00hrs in total calm, feeling bushed a quick beer and Kebab was all we could manage.
Monday 2nd
Total calm, the forecast for the next few days was cold and strong NE winds, wanting to clear Cabo de Palos we set off under engine. With flat seas and little to do we set the rods out hoping for a nice fish supper, that was before the Guardia Civil came over to check us out and run over the lines, more lost tackle and still not a meal in sight. The wind was just not playing and we motored the whole way back before passing under the 16.00 hrs bridge. Safely back in Tomas Maestre it gave us a chance to reflect on the trip. We had a right mixed bag of light airs and gale force winds, but overall had covered in excess of 220 Nm, visited some interesting places and had a fantastic time.

Spain boat tax

2009-02-16T21:33:00.003+01:00

Unfair taxes - have you been affected by the recent heavy handed tactics employed by the Valencian Government, which at the latter part of last year sent out the troops to inpound all Foreign registered vessels over 8m that had been in Spanish waters for more than 6 months. The Spanish Government is apparently feeling the Global squeeze leaving it short of funds and they saw an easy target in the British Yachtsman forcing them to pay a 12% tax based on the value of their craft, the tax is applied under the guise of import tax, whatever happened to lowering the EU trade borders. Judging by the amount of revenue generated by these unfair taxes, is this the shape of things to come?