What’s Your Background in terms of Sailing experience?
Experienced in dinghy sailing on lakes. No experience on large yachts or on sea.
What Problem Were You Trying to Solve?
Needed to learn:
Navigation and pilotage for sea sailing,
Control and safe manoeuvers of boat under engine.
Rules and regulation for safe sailing on sea.
How Was The Problem Affecting You?
Since I had no experience and knowledge about sea sailing I was not confident to go on the sea and did not want to do it without somebody who had knowledge and experience.
What Possible Solutions Did You Consider before coming to Wild West Sailing?
I looked into few courses available. I wanted navigation classroom session where student and tutor can interact.Online courses are OK but I think you can get more from the classroom sessions.
Practical training to control boat under engine is a MUST, and maybe could be a bit more of it as this is the aspect that makes HUGE difference when you own the boat and you park your boat in marinas.
Lynx has fantastic reversing capabilities which I did not realize other boats might not have!!! Our boat does not reverse well but since I had the training “what, how and when” I was able to make it work for us ..so far any way.
Why Did You Choose Wild West Sailing?
I thought description of your experience was very good. Your website and description of courses were good. You responded to my email in timely manner and since I really wanted to do “all in one session” without driving every weekend from Midlands to the coast you made it happen for me and that is why I decided to choose WWS. Thank you Dave.
What Would Have Happened If You Had NOT chosen to progress your passion for sailing further with Wild West Sailing?
Well, I had to get the knowledge and experience on sea regardless so I would have to find some other course….
What Risks Did You Consider?
My worries:
Can I do it all in one session
Will I be able to learn all that is required and will I gain confidence to sail on sea.
How much more training will I need after to sail boat on sea after this course.
What Reservations Did You Have?
Reservations:
Yes location was important – how far away is the training centre and cost of accommodation.
I was not sure if I be able to understand navigation and definitely driving boat on engine was a huge fear of mine!!!
What Measurable Benefits Have You Seen?
I think I am much more confident sailor and still learning to be a skipper. It is not easy to make quick and good decisions in urgent situations…I still prefer to have some other experienced people around me to learn from them but I do helm the boat on sea now and drive the boat to and from the jetty so definitely huge improvement!!! Just more practice required now…
Did you have any fun?
Yes Dave I had fun. Thanks Dave.
