News & Pictures
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 September / October sailing 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.