Where did the time go???

It seems unbelievable that its been so long since our last post, with so much social media it seems a full time job keeping on top of facebook, twitter, websites and all the other tag on sites...

On a more positive note the 2015 sailing season is just around the corner for us, El Rubicon was lifted at the end of the year and has benefited from ongoing maintenance, such as new seacocks, rudder bearings and stern gland, there is still a bit more to do but she will be ship shape and Bristol fashion for courses starting on the 8th February.

We have settled in nicely to our new home in Ayamonte and keep on discovering hidden gems that make this area so special, the decision to move the base was not taken lightly so I am pleased to report that it was a good move, there is much more sailing going on down here and with the option to sail in Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar and Morocco there is never a dull moment.

As mentioned sailing courses resume in February and there has never been a better time to join us. The Pound gives more Euro for your money and getting here is straightforward so if you have been considering your first steps aboard with a Competent Crew course or perhaps improving current skills taking them to the next level all you need to do is get in touch and discuss dates and book yourself on the right course.

In true Go-n-sail tradition we have a few special trips planned for this year,.. so if you can be tempted with an unforgettable trip to Cadiz and Seville or maybe our Moroccon Adventure is more your cup of tea, just get in touch and we will take care of the rest.

So to all friends - past, present and future we wish you safe and Happy sailing and look forward to catching up with you on the Ocean waves.

Don´t miss out - Competent Crew or Day Skipper week

We have one space remaining on our sail training week commencing 31st August. Learn to sail or improve skills on or Competent Crew or Day Skipper week. Enjoy sailing in the Spanish Sun and return home with a tan before the European winter takes hold. Experience sailing as it should be in a warm climate with crystal clear waters, take in the Costas Calida and Blanca as we explore whilst learning, so don´t miss out and give Debbie a call on 0034 695 326184 to find out more or contact us using the form on the main webpage www.go-n-sail.com

Tidal Sailing courses

Learn to sail with our Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses starting in Ayamonte on the Spanish Portuguese border. Explore the Algarve and Day Skippers can test their navigation skills as we sail along the coast and spend a night at anchor in the lagoon area around Faro, providing a quality pilotage experience as we look for a spot to drop the hook. We chose this area for its ability to provide navigational and tidal challenges - so far we have not been dissapointed, perfect for giving you all the necessary skills to become a competent sailor. Courses start every Saturday evening at 18.00 hours, fly into Faro and join us for a great week sailing in the Sun!

Last week in Ayamonte

Our time in Ayamonte is running out, we are into our last sail training week before re-stocking the yacht and heading towards home next saturday. Of course the adventure will not end there, we will be stopping off in Gibraltar and somewhere on the Costa del Sol before reaching Almerimar and a probable stop in Garrucha to view the new marina and say Hi to Mum who lives a 20 minute drive inland. The thought of being back in Cartagena and Mazarron are exciting although we will be sad to leave this wonderful area behind - albeit we will be back!.
Join us for non-tidal sailing courses and gain Competent Crew and Day Skipper qualifications in the Mar Menor area, we have 1 space remaining for the week commencing 1st July - so give Debbie a call or contact us for more info.

RYA Courses in Isla Canela

Having arrived into a very windy Isla Canela, we had commited to help some friends in Barcelona so El Rubicon was safely tied up in her new berth and allowed to rest for a week. Having arrived back last night the wind is still blowing with gusto and the week ahead is looking very interesting, we are looking forward to exploring this great new area and cannot wait to slip the lines tomorrow as we start our Tidal sailing courses. The plan is to head up the Guadiana river having negotiated the bar and explore the river before spending the night in Ayamonte with possibly a few tapas ashore, then it will be onto the Portuguese coast to sniff out those special little anchorages every sailor dreams about, whilst we are there, we will also be testing our navigation and pilotage skills and sail up to Faro. If you are interested in RYA sailing courses either as a novice starting with Competent Crew, as a potential Day Skipper looking to take command of your first charge or perhaps those with previous experience can rise to the more challenging levels of Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster. Whatever your level we have a course that will test and improve your skill and confidence levels. So dont miss out, come and explore this wonderful area with us and gain RYA qualification at the same time, it may be windy but the sun is still shining!

Competent Crew and Day Skipper Courses

Our great value RYA sailing courses will be available in Isla Canela from the 8th April. Learn to sail with our Competent Crew course or Day Skipper can complete Tidal courses from our new base, chosen for its ability to provide navigational and tidal challenges, perfect for giving you all the necessary skills to become a competent sailor. Courses start every Sunday, fly into Faro and join us for a great week sailing in the Sun!

Mile-builder Cartagena to Gibraltar

We have yacht leaving Cartagena on the 25th March arriving in Gibraltar the 30th/31st March. Limited spaces available. Perfect for qualifying miles and passages towards Yachtmaster, also excellent for Competent Crew and those with adventurous spirits looking for a different way to travel.
Full board with evening meals whilst underway, otherwise eat ashore. Take advantage of cheap flights into Murcia San Javier and fly out from Gibraltar or Malaga. Great experience on fully coded boat with RYA Instructor only 585 €. To book call Debbie 00 34 695 326 184. 

Tidal sailing courses

You can now take your Day and Coastal Skipper courses in tidal waters with Mar Menor Sea School. Courses start in April from our new base in Isla Canela, fly into Faro and the yacht is less than 60 km away. Day Skippers can get to grips with navigation, pilotage and boat handling in tidal marinas. Coastal Skippers will find the nearby estuaries challenging and there is plenty of opportunity to practice blind pilotage and eye-ball navigation. For novices the Competent Crew course can be taken in either tidal or non-tidal waters.  When starting out there is normally enough to take in without worrying about running aground or which way the tide is running.

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

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....

El Rubicon back in the Mar Menor

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

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

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

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

Modular Fastrack Coastal Skipper Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore

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