News & Pictures
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July
Hot off the press is the news that we will be returning to the Faroes next year. If you would like to register your interest please send in an email.
June
Check out the new photos in our album taken whist we were out on Crystal Rapide. More to follow soon, but the pictures of the Basking Sharks taken near Coll and Tiree are great aren't they?
May
We received this lovely email from Andris: a student from Latvia:
"Hello Chris and Steve,
I returned home only on Thursday evening, April 22....................
I would like to thank you for the amazing time spent in Scotland with you and the crew. I am especially grateful for your hospitality and kindness as well as for valuable theoretical and practical knowledge I was able to acquire in this short period of time.
I will be honored to get some more experience and improve my skills with your help sometime in the future."
April
Steve is away this weekend delivering a 62 foot Sunseeker back to Troon with its new owners. The latest information is that they are delayed in Milford Haven waiting for clearance to leave the harbour. ETA troon 10pm Sunday evening 18th April.
March
The fitting of the new engine is now completed and Chewsy has got her first courses of the new season under her belt. Steve is delighted with the new engine ... so, 'Thanks Sandy, for all your hard work.'
Our students consistently give excellent feedback at the end of their courses and it is with great pleasure that I am passing some on to you. Who knows - you may be looking on here trying to find the right place to do some sailing.
'Excellent instruction and accommodation'
'Good company - excellent tuition'
'Magic week. Looking forward to the next one'
'Brilliant week. I will be back soon.'
'An excellent insight into how a yacht should be sailed.'
February
What a hectic time of year February is! Our two companies, Second Wind Sailing and Second Wind Motor Cruising have now amalgamated into one with the associated paper exercises completed. Chewsys engine fitting is almost finished and we hope to have her back in the water this weekend. Lots of deck scrubbing and varnishing will then follow to ensure she's ready for mid March and our first weekend out.
January 2010
Happy New Year to everyone. The calendar is finally up and running for the coming season. The programme has been delayed because we are in the process of merging the sailing and motor cruising companies.
There will be no long distance sailing this year but we do have a couple of 7 day milebuilders scheduled in, in which we hope to get out to the western isles. These are one way trips: The first starts in Troon and finishes in Oban; The second starts in Oban and does the return trip to Troon. Useful as coastal skipper preparation courses or coastal skipper course completion trips. Or for just having a good sail.
October
Congratulations to Andy and Grant who passed their Yachtmaster examinations at the weekend and to Stuart who passed his Coastal Skipper examination at the same time. Well done guys, it was a pleasure to have you aboard.
On a different note many of you will have sailed with Matt [of purple wellie fame] a couple of years ago. Matt has this week sucessfully completed his training as a navy diver. We wish him well in his chosen career.
April and May of the 2010 Calendar are now available. For this season we have decided to hold 7 day Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster preparation courses and exams in order to ensure that our students receive the very best instruction and quality time aboard Chewsy. Steve's reputation preceeds him as 3 places were taken for the March dates within days of the calendar going 'live'.
July
Thank you to everyone who sent good wishes for our recent trip to the Faroes and Iceland. I'd like to give a very public thank you to the people who sailed with us, without whom the whole trip would not have been possible. So to David, Gary, Ken, and Mark - the A team - Thank you. A big thank you as well goes to Brian, John and Kristen who sailed the return trip with us, again via the Faroes. As soon as I get some order to the hundreds of photos that were taken I will share them on this website.
May
The season is flying by and there has been some good sailing and good exam results as well. We still have a few places available in July so book now; you won't regret it. On the 28th May we leave on our milebuilder to Oban, via wherever the wind may take us. Pictures will be available shortly.
February
It's that time of year again. In the marina the car park is filling up with sailors getting ready for the new season. The sounds of activity are everywhere, not least aboard 'Chewsy'. As Steve manages the more technical aspects of the maintenance, varnishing, cleaning and polishing are the order of the day for me. The boat needs to be ready for our first weekend sail at the beginning of March. For those of you who have already booked to join us this year, we look forward to sailing with you. For the rest, book now, you won't regret it....more later...Chris
January 2009
Happy New Year to everyone.
Chewsy has been out of the water for a scrub and polish and is now back in. Those of you local to Troon marina will see progress on her refurbishment ready for the new season. Students this season will benefit from new furling gear, new windows, refurbished hatches outside and a range of internal upgrades.
We continue to offer fully inclusive courses covering use of wet weather clothing, marina and harbour dues as well as all meals and fuel. Prices start at £185.00 for a Start Yachting course or weekend cruise.
October
Chewsy will be coming out of the water for a well deserved rest and maintenance break at the beginning of November and her new season will start in March 2009. Please check our calendar page for further details
September
Our last Day Sail of the season took place on Saturday 27th September. On board were Stephen, Rob, Anne, Shane and Barry. Kath was the skipper on a day that saw a full spectrum of weather, from sunshine to heavy rain, from no wind to lots of wind. Lunch was taken whilst we were moored in Broddick Bay enjoying the calm sea and the surrounding views.
July
The cruise from Troon to Dunstaffnage was greatly enjoyed by all. Leaving from Troon on Monday morning, Chewsy called at Sanda island, Port Ellen Islay, Killoran Bay Colonsay, Puilladobrhain [Pulldoran] South of Oban, finally arriving in Dunstaffnage on Friday. Sailing conditions were changeable and exciting at times! We experienced gentle beats and a full gale but mostly it was downhill sailing. Passing through the sounds of Islay and Corryvreckan we experienced speeds of up to 13 knots over the ground.
Chewsy at 'Pulldoran'
June
What fabulous weather we are having! Fantastic light winds and plenty of sunshine. Week after week of good weather, great sailing and happy crews. Long may it continue.
April
We have availablility now for just 2 weeks over the summer months and would urge anyone wanting to sail with either Steve or Kath aboard Chewsy to contact us without delay. Check our event calendar Bookings are now being taken for 2009 courses to avoid the inevitable price rises for next years courses.
March
The 2008 season starts this weekend with Steve and Kath taking Chewsy out to play with the new sail wardrobe. The new loose footed main sail and genoa have been made by Saturn Sails. The Day Skipper students on board will also benefit from the extra sail trimming practice.
Our calendar is becoming very full and we aplogise to everyone we have had to turn away already this season.
January
Check out our photo album with some pictures of when Chewsy helped Rescue 177 with hi-line practice last October. Pictures were taken by Janet Glendenning one of the crew aboard Chewsy.
November
We are now running RYA First Aid Courses. Enquiries welcome.
October
CONGRATULATIONS STEVE - More celebrations; this time with Steve who is now an RYA examiner in both Sail and Motor Cruising.
CONGRATULATIONS KATH - This month we had something to celebrate when Kath achieved her Yachtmaster Instructor qualification. I'm sure that all of you who have sailed with Kath over the past season will agree that it is well deserved. Congratulations to the other 3 candidates who were also successful.
September
Congratulations to successful candidates Tor and Kevin who both passed their Coastal Skipper practical examinations last week in our last exam week of the season. They had a great week with mostly fine weather and a good mix of wind strength.
Last weekend saw Chewsy and Crystal Rapide playing host to a group of friends from the Lake District, who were here as 'leg one' of Bas' Stag Party. The weather forecast was poor so we based ourselves in Troon with several sorties out in both boats, in fine, sunny, but increasingly windy weather. The pictures and video footage taken will ensure that the good memories linger on, on both sides.
If you have attended a course or event with us, why not visit the guest book page today and add your comments.
September has been a very busy month with 2 Coastal Skipper and yachtmaster courses.
We usually have a maximum of 2 students on board taking exams at any one time. Our other students are usually there for a competent crew week, experience, or to support a friend or partner by 'crewing'.
Our congratulations go to Simon who passed his RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper Practical exam and to Norbert our student from Switzerland who passed his RYA/MCA Yachtmaster practical exam. Also on board that week were Finlay successfully mastering the Coastal Skipper Course completion syllabus, and Colin who wanted to refresh his sailing skills.
We also managed to tuck in a Day Skipper and Competent Crew week, with Steve enjoying more sailing than he has done all season. [Thanks Kath]
July
Chewsy was away for nine days at the end of June with a possible destination of the isles of Barra & Skye. However the wind thought differently and Plan A developed into plan B, C, and even D. Unseasonal North westerly winds meant the western isles were not a practical or comfortable destination.
We decided to get up to Ardrishaig, go through the Crinan Canal and work our way down the Sound of Jura. This we did.
Day 1. - Troon to South Bay, Barmore Island
Day 2. -Through the Crinan Canal stopping just above the Crinan basin.
We had the good fortune to watch the Clyde Puffer 'Vic 32' leave her berth for a trip along the canal. What a sight on a beautiful morning.
Day 3. - Crinan to Port Ellen. - A great sail with increasing wind all the way. No room on the pontoons so we anchored in the bay out of the wind.
Day 4 We managed to secure a pontoon berth in the morning and then took the bus to Bowmore for whisky tasting and sightseeing. The Distillery tour at Bowmore takes place several times each day and is well worth a visit. [We did not leave empty handed!]
Day 5 This morning we left Port Ellen with a 5am start to catch the tide -destination Ballycastle N.I. We had another good sail and arrived in time for a late breakfast. The plan was to visit the Giants Causeway but the rain later was offputting; R&R on board with local sightseeing between the showers was the order of the day.
Day 6. We spent another leisurely day in Ballycastle leaving around 4pm for the short hop round to Glenarm.
Day 7. Today was an early start to take advantage of the tide into Bangor Marina N.I, and a chance to explore the local area. Bangor was very lively it being the last day of school and the fair ground was in fine form. The marina has excellent facilities, and the town has a full range of amenities to suit all tastes. Ruth's birthday was celebrated at a local Chinese restaurant.
Day 8. South easterly winds meant our plan to visit Lamlash, Arran, were disrupted and we decided to make the return trip straight to Troon. 10 hours, and a very good sail later we arrived back in Troon in time for a few drinks in Scotts bar.
Day 9. Leisurely start to the day, followed by a quick trip round the bay in Crystal Rapide. The sun was shining and the sea flat. A great way to end a holiday.
MAY
Thanks to Conrad who has sent us this link to his photo gallery of pictures taken aboard Chewsy last year:- http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/DarnockRenwot/SailingTripOct2006
On a quiet day our 2 boat crews got together and practised rigging towing lines, and put theory into practice
Comments from some of our feedback forms for 2007:
"Fantastic weekend. Looking forward to the next trip. Teaching style first class."
"I had a great time and learned a lot. The Skipper (Kath) was lovely. Had a fantastic time and will be back"
"Lots of help, support, patience, understanding and encouragement! Brill. I'd sail with Kath anywhere, anytime"
"Wonderful stuff"
"Steve is a legend"
Matt came along last year and obtained his competent crew certificate. He came back this year to refresh his memory. He was on board with Heather, Jon, and Richard, with Skipper Kath completing the merry band.