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Metropolitan Police Sailing Club
Clubline: 020 8643 4292        Email: mpsc@hotmail.co.uk                  Internet:  www.mpsc.uk.com

Dateline: 29-12-2015

From Phil Onslow:

Dear All

Well Christmas is here and believe it or not, the days will soon be getting longer. Our programme for 2016 has now been published on our internet site and we have some interesting activities for you to choose from. From level 2 powerboating, through to yachtmaster prep courses we have scheduled a full programme of training with a few new formats to look at including a 9 day shorebased and practical Day Skipper for those who want to get there in one hit and an all-female Day Skipper Practical. Those who want to progress should look at the options to do their yachtmaster shorebased at weekends starting in January so there’s not much time!

I’ve also included a few administrative things we need to get on top of.

Most of all, I hope you all have a great Christmas and new year and are looking forward to some great sailing and powerboating during 2016.

Yacht Charter and Refit
Blue Spirit and Sapphire are both ashore at Hamble Point at the moment and are receiving a lot of professional tlc. They’re under cover and much of their interiors are being professionally revarnished and I’m confident that they will look nearly new by the time we get them back. The underneath has been scrapped of what is estimated to be around 28 coats of antifoul and they’re re primed and antifouled. With the loss of all that paint and a a new smooth underwater profile, I think they should be at least 2 knots faster!! With professionally polished and waxed topsides, you’ll have to wear your sunglasses to avoid dazzle as well. There are some photos on our Facebook and we’ve tweeted some pics as well. I just wish more of you would like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The refit was made possible with the help of the MPAA who have given us unprecedented support over the years and will continue to do so for many years we hope. If I can put in a plug here for the Football lottery which I’d encourage you all to join. Not only do you stand a chance of winning but you help support sailing and other sports within the MPS.

Sapphire is still in the water and available for charter at the special rates of £100 per day or £250 for a weekend. Why not take advantage of this mild weather. I was out the other week and it was glorious.

AGM News
The AGM was pretty quiet actually but there again that’s always a good sign. In the chair for the last time was our commodore Chris Allison. Chris has held the post for longer than I can remember and his practical and straightforward approach is always refreshing. Having now retired from the MPS, he felt it the right time to step down and we all thank him for his contribution to the club over the years. He is succeeded by Commander B.J. Harrington and we welcome him to the post. Mike Wise reviewed the past years events with a glorious technicolour presentation and I’m sure we’d all like to thank him for the enormous time and effort he has put in over the years both as Rear Commodore Offshore and as Vice Commodore. Like many he has given a considerable amount of his time to support the club in many ways over the years and will be a hard act to follow. That honour falls to Sean Phillips, our Rear Commodore Works who has been dragged kicking and screaming spanner still in hand from our workshop to take on the mantle. We welcome James Hulme as the new Rear Commodore Works I his place. We also welcome Gareth Granville onto the committee as Rear Commodore and House and Marketing. Gareth has been our membership secretary for a while now and John Bailey and I will be taking over most of his membership duties. Departing from the committee is Debbie Dady who has brought some fresh ideas to our marketing but has now left the organisation to work for BA. She sends us messages from various warm parts of the globe and we’re not a bit jealous (why has my nose just grown). We wish you well Debbie.

Honorary Life Membership was awarded to Chris Allison in recognition of his service as Commodore and as an active sailor and racer over many years.

Club Colours were awarded to Alistair Mills who has served the club well for many years firstly as assistant to the Rear Commodore Training and more latterly as the Director for Training.

We’ve managed to keep our charter rates almost the same for 2016 as they’ve been for the past 2 years. We’ve done a little realigning and simplification with our structure this year but endeavoured to keep it the almost the same overall. We have had toput up our subs which have also remained frozen for the last 2 years. Full membership is now £4.50 per month and Associate membership £5.50 per month. We still think that represents excellent value probably equivalent to a coffee and newspaper each month.

Early Season Training
We have arranged 2 sets of classes for those interested in taking their Yachtmaster Shorebased course. This is a natural progression for those who have completed their Day Skipper and essential for thos who want to progress. The courses are being held over 4 weekend with one set of classes at Hamble and the other at Imber Court

Dates for Imber Court are :- 9th, 10th, 23rd 24th Jan, 12th, 13th 19th and 20th March

Dates for Hamble are :- 16th and 17th Jan, 13th and 14th Feb, 12th and 13th March and 16th and 17th April.

Further details are available on our internet site.

We have a Yachtmaster Skills weekend on 26th to 28th February. This would be a great opportunity to shake off a few winter cobwebs and if you’re interested in taking the Yachtmaster exam later in the season is a great opportunity for you to get some feedback from one of our instructors about how to improve any weak areas during the forthcoming year.

During April we will be running a combined Day Skipper theory and practical course over 9 days. That’s 4 days in the classroom and 5 days on the boat. One of the great things about that is but scheduling it Friday evening to the Sunday evening, you only have to take one week off work. Inspired or what. Once again, further details on the internet site.

Membership and Booking Information
Please let us know if you change address, phone number or email. We try to keep everyone’s details up to date and our broadcasts are currently restricted to one per month so we don’t sound like we’re helping you claim for the accident you haven’t had or any missold PPI. It is your club so let us know what you want us to do. For those who may not have made any bookings for a while, the process is very easy nowadays. Most of it is online. It’s worth a phone call first o our clubline just to ensure that the yacht or course dates you want are free (you can check charter availability online) but then just complete a booking form online and that’s all that’s necessary. Payment can be made by cheque, but our preferred methods are internet banking or credit/debit card and this can be done online using our secure server.

Keep Up to Date
We hope to put more and more on Facebook and Twitter as we sometimes get short notice sailing opportunities. Why not like us on Facebook and watch us on twitter and you’ll be as up to date as you can be with what’s going on.

Can I finish by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and some great sailing in 2016

Phil Onslow

 

Dateline: 05-11-2015

From Phil Onslow:

Dear All

Well it’s that time of year when the season is almost over but we haven’t yet published next year’s programme. All will soon be revealed! When I started writing this month’s broadcast, I thought it would be short but there are so many important things you need to know about so apologies if it’s a bit longer than first anticipated.

Those shrewd and financially astute amongst you may want to make a special effort to attend the AGM, of which there are details below where we will be offering our courses with a 10% discount if booked at the meeting. Even if you aren’t interested in booking a course then please do make the effort to attend and support your club. The directors and others put great effort into organising the annual programme and presenting it at the meeting and it’s also a good time to buy me a drink at the bar so what further excuse do you need. Also below information about discounted boat show tickets, a possible buyer for that sextant you don’t use, a couple of Yachtmaster shorebased courses and a date for SRC radio assessment and some exciting news about our yacht improvement programme.

Yacht Refurbishment Programme
We received some exciting news earlier this week that the MPAA are supporting us big time by funding a substantial refurbishment of our yachts. Work is due to take place over the winter and will include a complete stripdown of the underneath, priming and antifoul which should reduce her weight a bit as she has had 2 coats of antifoul every year for the last 13 years. Significantly the woodwork on the inside is being professionally stripped back and revarnished and there are also some other upgrades. She’ll hopefully be as good as new next year and a lot more appealing to charter users.


NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Executive Management Committee hereby gives notice that the Annual General Meeting of Metropolitan Police Sailing Club Ltd. will be held on:
Monday 16th November 2015 at 6.00pm
in the 5th floor briefing room at New Scotland Yard.

The meeting will deal with the usual business of the presentation of annual accounts, review of the past year, plans for the future, election of directors, awards of life membership and club colours and any other business. Importantly it is also your opportunity to ask questions about the way the club is run by the directors and influence planning for the future.

At least seven days’ notice must be given in writing to the company secretary of motions to be included in the agenda of the annual general meeting or of persons wishing to stand for election to the Executive Management Committee. Please note that only Full members are entitled to stand for office or vote on any motion proposed.

At the AGM all MPSC directors are required to retire from office on the Executive Management Committee but all are eligible for re-election. At present it is the intention of the current directors to stand for re-election with the exception of:
· Mike Wise (Vice Commodore) and Debbie Dady (Rear Commodore House) who will not be seeking re-election.

The following members have been nominated to replace them:
· Sean Phillips (currently RC Works) as Vice Commodore and James Hulme as RC Works (to replace Sean Phillips).

All will stand for election at the AGM. The Executive Management Committee posts of Rear Commodore House and RC Cruising are currently vacant. If there are any other nominations they need to be notified in writing to the company secretary at least seven days before the AGM.

In order that answers can be properly researched it would be appreciated if any questions to be asked of the Executive Management Committee were also notified to the company secretary with at least seven days notice.

Any notification as above must be sent to the Company Secretary, John Bailey, on mpsc@hotmail.co.uk  or by post to MPSC, PO Box 308, Brockenhurst, SO42 7XR

The minutes of the last AGM and the club accounts to be presented at the meeting are available to view or download from the MPSC website on www.mpsc.uk.com  (on useful documents page). Members are encouraged to print their own copies of these documents to bring to the meeting; they will also be available at the meeting.

Following the AGM there will be a buffet and cash bar available for you to meet informally with your fellow members. It will also be your first opportunity to book charters, practical courses and club cruises for next year.

Retired members attending and others requiring NSY visitors passes are requested to notify the Company Secretary as above at least 7 days prior to the meeting.

THIS IS YOUR CLUB – PLEASE ATTEND TO PLAY A PART IN SHAPING OUR FUTURE.

John Bailey 31st October 2015
MPSC Ltd. Company Secretary


Yachtmaster Shorebased Courses
We have arranged two weekend Yachtmaster shorebased courses, one at Hamble and one at Imber Court.

It is proposed to run the course over FOUR weekends in our dedicated classroom at Hamble beginning at 9am and ending 5:30pm. Accommodation is on a club boat subject to availability or at own cost B&B in Hamble (local B&B that do a discount for the MPSC can be given as "FARTHINGS" run by Ian and Jo Straker, School Lane, Hamble )

The dates are

Weekend 1: 16 & 17th January 2016

Weekend 2 : 13 & 14th February 2016

Weekend 3: 12 & 13th March 2016

Weekend 4: 16 & 17th April 2016.

This is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. The syllabus makes some provision for the revision of subjects in the Day Skipper Course but those who have not acquired the knowledge set out in the Day Skipper course are unlikely to be able to assimilate all the subjects covered in this advanced course in the time available.

The course is a must for anyone who wishes to progress from Day Skipper.

The cost will be £239 which includes the RYA pack and Training Almanac (if you need one).

There is also a course being held at Imber Court on the following dates.

Weekend 1: 9th & 10th January 2016

Weekend 2: 23rd & 24th January 2016

Weekend 3: 12th & 13th March 2016

Weekend 4: 19th & 20th March 2016

This course is 9am to 5pmish and also includes tea and biscuits during the day and a sandwich lunch all provided by Imber Court.

The cost of this course will be £279 which includes the RYA pack and Training Almanac (if you need one)


SRC
For those students wishing to take their SRC radio exam, there will be an assessment helt at NSY on 17th November from 1800hrs onwards. Contact the clubline to book your place.

Working Parties
Despite the above, we still need a working party on Saturday 14th November to help get all the kit sails and cushions off two of the yachts. If you’re able to assist then please give us a ring on the clubline.

Unwanted Sextant?
Those who go back a long way in the club will remember Ashley Woods who was our first sailing school principal when the school was set up back in the 90’s. In many ways he set the standard and ethos many of us strive to achieve and his legacy to the club particularly in the field of training still continues today. Ashley is looking to purchase a decent used sextant so if there’s anyone who now uses this newfangled GPS and wants to sell their sextant, you can mail him at jenashwoods@talktalk.net or mail me and I will pass it on.

Old Charts - Not to be used for Navigation
I was having a bit of a clear out last week and rationalising our chart portfolios. The upshot is that we have a large number of charts covering most of the South coast and harbours, which have been superseded by later editions and cannot be corrected and used on our yachts. Some are a little tatty but some have hardly been used and are in almost new condition. If you fancied hanging something on your wall (maybe just a cut out section) or even wrapping your Christmas presents (there it is I used the dreaded ‘C’ word and it’s only early November) or just fancy a memento of journeys past then let me know. You can have your pick of them for a donation to club funds which to me is preferable to selling them on EBay. If you require further details then mail the clubline.

Facebook and Twitter
My usual plea to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (MPsailingclub) so that we can get the latest news to you.

Good Sailing

Phil

 

Dateline: 02-10-2015

From Phil Onslow:

Dear All

What a lovely spell of weather to finish the month and it only goes to show how great autumn sailing can be. I’ve been out 3 times this month and had some great fun and my sailing for the year is definitely not finished yet!

We’ve still got some availability on the Day Skipper Shorebased, a few places on the laying up cruise which I have to say is a great way to finish the season, and I do speak from long experience. We’ve also got a space on your new module teaching yachtmaster skills which looks as though it could be quite good. Do give some thought about the skills and training you may need for next year and we have a selection of online courses including the VHF radio and Essential Navigation to keep you in the warm and dry during the winter.

I’d especially like to highlight the working party on 3rd and 4th October (yet that’s this weekend) where we need volunteers. Your club needs you.

Our AGM is in November and the date will be published on the internet shortly. We’d love to see you there and bear in mind that it’s the first opportunity to book your charter dates so you’re assured of getting the ones you want. On the charter front, We’ll again keep one boat (Pride) in the water, complete with heating and available at the knockdown price of £100 per day or £250 for a weekend. We can take short notice bookings so why not think about a weekend shopping trip to Gun Wharf by boat, or just a short cruise around the Solent. I’ve had some of my best days on the water in the winter.

As normal, the internet and clubline are there for you so keep an eye open on them for next year’s opportunities which haven’t yet been finalised but having had a sneak preview of what may be occurring, it could be a great year.

Working Party
We need a working party at Mercury on 3rd and 4th October to do some work on the yachts, rib and base there. If you’re able to assist on either day (or indeed on both) then please contact Sean Phillips on 07920-195908 or email seanjames.phillips@gmail.com and he will be over the moon to hear from you. We really need your help to keep our yachts, rib and buildings in good order and help reduce our costs. Please help if you can!

Day Skipper Shorebased Intensive
Nowadays many people find it hard to attend evening classes on a regular basis so we now provide this course in a 5 day format. It’s a basic course in navigation, safety, meteorology and seamanship suitable for a beginner or someone with some sailing experience and runs from 24th to 28th October at our dedicated classroom at Hamble. There is a free day sailing on 29th but this is not a course requirement. The classes are run from our base at Hamble and we provide the accommodation for you in a luxury mobile home or cabin. The cost for this course is £295.

Yachtmaster Skills Module
This is a new course which we hope will help you develop and improve your sailing skills and that always improves safety! The gold standard in yachting is the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification and to the many who achieve that standard, they can be proud of what they have done. To get there generally requires experience and teaching and some argue that we don’t bridge the gap between Day Skipper and Yachtmaster so we have introduced a 2 day Yachtmaster Skills module. Whether you’re aspiring to become a Yachtmaster Offshore or a Yachtmaster Coastal (formally called Coastal Skipper) this course can set you on the road by helping you develop the sailing skills you need. There will be a night sail although looking at the dates, you won’t necessarily need to be out that late to do it, so why not round off your season with this new training module..

Dates – 28th to 30th October

Cost - £119

Yachtmaster Shorebased
We don’t currently have dates for this course and it will be run in the new year subject to demand. If you are interested then please drop us an email or phone call to register your interest and then we’ll get back to you when we know the dates.

Online Courses
There are a number of online courses to suit various demands. Rib users may be interested in the Essential Navigation course which is targeted at casual boat users such as rib drivers, fishermen etc. and the whole course is delivered in a series of online modules.

The SRC Radio course is a must for all boat users. Completion of the course is done online at times and at a speed to suit you although there is a short exam at the end which has to be done on face to face with an examiner. We can sort these for you as we have our own examiners and dates and times can be adjusted to suit.

Cruising
We’ve still space on our Laying up cruise from 6th to 8th November. I have to say that I like this one as it’s out of season and you don’t have to fight for berths or tables at restaurants. So, I shall be there and look forward to seeing as many of you as we can accommodate. Cost £99

Your Club Needs You
At this time of year, the directors are focussing on the needs of the club during 2016. If you’ve any views on what we might do, where our cruises should visit or anything else which you feel might be helpful then please do let us know. It is your club after all.

Facebook and Twitter
We’re desperately trying to improve how we communicate with you and make the club a vibrant and lively group embracing all levels of sailing and providing all members with fellowship and sailing opportunities. We’ve got some work to do on our internet site but you can play your part by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter. We don’t send out lots of mundane information to clutter up your inbox but we sometimes need your help and sometimes are given sailing opportunities that we’d like to offer to you but are time limited and can’t wait until our next news broadcast. If you go to our site, there are Facebook and Twitter links on the opening page, or you can find us as MPSC on Facebook and mpsailingclub on Twitter. Please like or follow – it’s your interests we’re trying to safeguard.

Good Sailing

Phil

 

Dateline: 17-08-2015

From Phil Onslow:

Dear All

Well it’s now August when half the population go on holiday and getting anything done is like pushing water uphill. Still, there’s still lots of sailing and powerboating still to be done so let’s look on the bright side. On the training side, there’s the winter shorebased programme to think about and below are details of shorebased and online training opportunities. We’ve also some cruising opportunities to give you a chance to get out on the water over the next few months and some administrative details on course bookings etc.

A welcome to a few new members who have joined us over the season and I hope you enjoy your boating with us. We’ve got some fabulous resources so let’s make the most of them. New members hopefully also means new ideas so I’d say to anyone, never be afraid to give us your views or ideas and we’re always looking for help organising things or on working parties so please help if and when you can.

Below are our contact details using internet, phone or email. Whilst this message goes out from a private mail address for reasons too complicated to go into now, please direct any responses to the following as they’re monitored far better than private contact details.

DAY SKIPPER SHOREBASED
This is a basic course covering Navigation, safety and general seamanship and is geared towards those starting on the sailing ladder, but can also be an excellent course for those who have been sailing a while but have had no formal training. The course requires 40 hours of teaching time so we offer the training in two different formats.

Evening Classes – These are run every Tuesday evening at NSY starting on Tuesday 22nd September and then every Tuesday until 15th December. There will also be a class all day on the weekend of 14th and 15th November. The cost for this course will be £240.

Intensive – This format is run on 5 consecutive days at Hamble in our dedicated classroom there. Daytime is spent in class and evening socialising…..and doing the odd bit of homework. We provide accommodation for this course at the mobile home centre next door and a day’s sailing at the end of the course, although if you can’t make that day, you may still attend the course. Dates are 24th to 28th October with the days sailing on 29th October. This is a little more expensive at £295 but it does include the accommodation.

PRACTICAL COURSES
We’ve still a number of vacancies on our RYA practical courses.

Competent Crew – This is a 5 day course which runs from Sunday evenings to Friday afternoon. It is suitable for novices and those with little sailing experience and at the end of the course you will have the skills to be a competent and useful crew member. The cost is £385 (High Season) and £355 (Low Season) and there are vacancies on the following dates:-

20th to 25th September

4th to 9th October


Day Skipper Practical – this is also a 5 day course run in the same way as the Competent Crew, but teaches the student to take charge of a yacht and put into practice those skills learned in the shorebased class. The cost is £385 (High Season) and £355 (Low Season) and there are vacancies on the following dates:-

20th to 25th September

4th to 9th October


Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore Examination and Prep Course.
The Yachtmaster qualification is the gold standard that we should all strive to achieve. To be successful you must pass a practical exam and the normal practice is for students to complete a prep course which will enable you to hone up on those skills you have hopefully learned during your sailing over the years. The normal format is a 5 day course and the exam over the weekend. The cost of the course is £445 for the 7 days. You will have to pay the exam fee to the examiner on top of this. We only run these courses occasionally so if you are thinking of taking the plunge (not literally I hasten to say) then do give us a ring and we can advise you. We currently have vacancies on 13th to 20th September

CRUISES
The days may be getting shorter but there are still some cruising opportunities left as outlined below.

Newcomers Cruise – This is geared towards those with little or no experience and is an ideal introduction to cruising. There’s no set agenda other than some gentle sailing around the Solent visiting a few harbours with opportunities to learn or enhance your sailing skills and socialise with other club members. Dates are 18th to 20th September or 20th to 22nd September. Cost just £99

Laying Up/Fireworks Cruise – this is the last organised sail of the year and the opportunity is usually taken to visit one of the fireworks displays which are usually to be found around this time. Again there is no set itinerary other than to enjoy sailing and good company. Dates are 6th to 8th November and the cost is just £99

Rib Training
Our Level 2 rib course is suitable for novices and is of just 2 days duration. In that time we can teach you the basics of what is required to take out a rib safely and you then have a great opportunity to explore the Solent area in a fast rib with your friends and family.. You’ll need a radio qualification as well but this can be done online (see entry below re online courses). The level 2 course costs £220 and the only available dates we have are 17th and 18th September. If you are interested in completing the course this year but can’t make those dates then do let us know and we can arrange further opportunities according to demand. Courses after 1st October are discounted to £199.

Rib Charter
Our current rib is a great improvement on the previous model, primarily because it uses far less fuel so a day out with friends or family is much more affordable. To date (and I’m touching wood here) it’s also proved to be far more reliable. Details of availability are on the internet site.

Feedback
Autumn will be upon us soon and that’s the time when the club directors, who put a lot of effort into keeping our club going, have to make arrangements for next year’s activities. If you have any views or suggestions about things we could or should do, how things may be improved, any favourable or unfavourable comments or even where our 2016 cruising program should go to then do let us know. It is your club.

We are currently looking to update some of our media, both paper and electronic based. If you have any good photos or club boats, members or events then please do let us have a copy. (Keep it decent guys!)

Booking Procedure
Booking all of our courses is very easy using our online booking form from our website. Whilst we keep details of charter availability online for you to check, we sometimes get short notice use so it’s best to give the clubline a ring to confirm availability before you confirm the booking. Course availability is always changing so it’s essential to phone and reserve places before completing the form. We can usually hold a phone reservation for a few days if you need to wait for leave or find crew. Payment can be made using various means. We can take cheques but I’ll say no more on that one. You can make payments to our account using internet banking and the booking form explains how to do this and put in a reference so we have a fighting chance of identifying what the payment on the account is for. We can also take payments using credit or debit cards direct on the site. If you choose this option, you will be taken to a secure server for the payment to be made. There is a charge for credit cards but no charge for debit cards.

So now you have no excuse – go book a course, cruise or charter!

Online Courses
We offer a number of online training courses and the great advantage of this is that in the current climate with demands on many peoples time being so great, these courses can be done from the comfort of your own home (or office if you live there) at times to suit. The following is a summary of what’s available.

SRC Radio – This is an essential course for anyone who charters a yacht or rib or has their own boat. It’s a one off course and the qualification lasts you a lifetime. It’s also an advantage for all those who crew to have this skill as in the event of an emergency you may be the person on the radio sending or receiving messages. The cost of this course is £120 which includes the £60 exam fee.

Essential Navigation – This is a basic course in navigation and safety and is geared towards those who use ribs or small motor boats. The whole course is completed online – there is no assessment.

CEVNI – If you cruise inland waterways abroad, you may be required to hold an International Certificate of Competence and it is a requirement for the inland waterways endorsement that you have completed the CEVNI test which covers the rules and regulations relating to these waterways.

Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) – This course is a requirement for anyone who works with a commercial endorsement to their qualification. It consists of a structured course and online assessment.

To complete any of these courses, simply fill in the online booking form from our internet site and you will be sent a link to complete the course together with any written material necessary. No telephone reservation is needed for the online courses.

Discounted Boat Show Tickets
The club are able to offer discounted tickets to the Southampton Boat show which takes place in September. Undoubtedly the premier show in this country, details on the site show how to obtain your tickets.

Well that’s it for this month’s news. I’m off to watch the fireworks at Cowes and the and the start of the Fastnet Race this weekend. For those of you who are cricket fans, and there seems a sudden increase in interest over the last week, there is a match far more important than the Ashes due to take place on the Bramble Bank at low water on 31st August. Maybe I’ll see you there.

Good Sailing

Phil
 

Dateline: 18-07-2015

From Phil Onslow:

Dear All

It’s always a shame when you pass the longest day of the year, but there is still plenty of time to do some more sailing this year. Just a short note now then to remind you of a few sailing opportunities and other activities or events which may be of interest.

As always, more details are shown on our internet site or give the clubline a ring.

Sailing and Powerboat Courses
We have vacancies on our Day Skipper and Competent Crew courses beginning 2nd August and 16th August. No previous experience is needed for Competent Crew, but you should have a level of knowledge and experience for the Day Skipper practical. If you want advice on either of these then do give us a ring on the clubline and we’re here to help.

We’re also looking for someone to act as crew for our Day Skipper course on 2nd August. You will not receive any instruction for this but it is a week’s sailing and you are certain to pick up a great deal of knowledge during the week. The cost is only £140 for the whole week!

We run a number of online courses and the most popular of these is the SRC Radio. To do this course which is a requirement for chartering our yacht and probably any other, all you need to do is send in one of the online booking forms and we send you a link which enables you to complete the course. We can then arrange for the short written exam and assessment at a time to suit. The exam is certainly not a daunting one.

We have spaces on our level 2 rib courses on 13th to 14th August and 5th and 6th September. This is a simple 2 day course and when complete and with a radio certificate you can then charter the rib with friends and family for a great summer day out. Open the throttles and it can be quite exhilarating as well.

Cheap Musto Clothing
As many of you know, we are agents for Musto clothing and can pass on a saving to members of around 25% to 30%. These are not old stock but genuine discounts on the current range. Whether it’s waterproofs, hats, jackets, mid layer or even boots, there are significant savings to be had. Email the club or phone the clubline for specific details. It’s good to prepare for those colder autumn days and even get some ides sorted for Christmas. Can’t believe I said Christmas and it’s only July.

Yacht and Rib Carter
We try to keep the availability up to date on the internet site and a simple phone call or email can reserve you the yacht or rib of your choice. Booking forms are online and the process is quite simple with payment being made by online banking or by credit/debit card using our secure server. Always keep an eye on the dates as new availability often come available and there is certainly some space to go sailing in July and August.

Shorebased Classes
We hope to run some Day Skipper and Yachtmaster shorebased classes over the winter both in evening class/weekend format and also some 5 day intensive courses. Details aren’t yet available, but if you are interested then do mail us to register your interest and it makes us able to accommodate you more easily. I’m also particularly interested to hear from anyone who wants to do a Yachtmaster Ocean course in the first quarter of next year.

Vice Commodore
It is the intention of Mike Wise to stand down as Vice commodore at the next AGM. Mike has worked hard for the club over many years but now retired he feels the need to move on and we need someone to replace him. It is not an onerous task and there is an incredible amount of support from the other directors and the Ops and General Manager, and Mike anticipates being around the club for some years yet and is more than willing to advise and guide any new incumbent. If you are interested or want to know more then please do email us or call the clubline and we can chat or I know that Mike is quite happy to talk through what the job entails with anyone who is interested.

Internet Webmaster
The internet is a growing part of our activities and we are deeply grateful to Nigel Verrill who has supported us in respect of our website over recent years. Nigel has moved abroad and we will shortly need someone to deal with the design and technical aspects of our site. If you are interested then please do get in touch.

Boat Show Tickets
We will be offering the usual discounted boat show tickets for Southampton shortly. Details will hopefully be on the internet in the next week or so.

Good Sailing to all and do make the most of the warm weather and the sailing opportunities we have on offer. If you have queries then don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and contact us.

Phil

 

Dateline: 02-06-2015

From Phil Onslow:

Dear All

Well summer is now here although as I pen this on a wet and windy June morning it doesn’t feel like it but the experts tell me that things will get better so hopefully we have some good weather and some excellent sailing to come, not forgetting our rib which tends to be more popular in the better weather. Can’t think why. Due to some cancellations, we have a number of new dates available for charter particularly during June so why not get a few crew together and make the most of the long days.

We’ve details of our Sea Survival course below as well as other training and cruising opportunities.

Don’t forget our Twitter and Facebook addresses as well.

As always we’re here to provide a service to our members so if you have any queries or suggestions then do get in touch.

Sea Survival Course
We have a Sea Survival Course scheduled for Sunday 21st June at Hamble and the cost is just £90. This represents a significant saving on commercial rates. We only run these courses once a year at most and I have to say that they are one of the best courses in the syllabus. One might argue that you may never need the skills it teaches you but in reality, it can save your life if things go wrong. If you’re interested in booking or want more information then give the clubline a ring.

Competent Crew and Day Skipper
Our regular programme of Day Skipper and Competent Crew courses are now running. The Competent Crew course is suitable for everyone as no experience is necessary. For the Day Skipper you need to have completed the shorebased course or have equivalent knowledge gained elsewhere. See the training page for further details. The next courses with vacancies are scheduled to begin on 5th July and 19th July.

Exam Prep for Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore
If you’re thinking of progressing your sailing skills then the yachtmaster coastal or yachtmaster offshore are courses and qualifications that you should consider. Rather than give general advice here, we would suggest than anyone who is considering progression gives us a ring and we can suggest what will be right for you. For both of these exams, we strongly recommend a prep course and we normally only run one a year in September and this year’s dates are 13th to 20th September. It’s great to have something to focus on for the year and be working towards achieving that goal.

Crewing Opportunities
We sometimes have short notice crewing opportunities on our courses which provide sailing experience and opportunities virtually as cost price. We’re looking to maintain a list of those who may be interested in this so if you are then mail me your contact details and I’ll add you to the list to be called when opportunities arise.

Cruising Instructor Course
The club have a tradition of producing instructors of high quality it is a credit to the club that many of our excellent team of instructors have learned their skills after starting within the club as novices. We’re always on the lookout for new people to take the club forward. We are looking to run a Cruising Instructor Course in the early autumn and whilst the details are yet to be finalised, it is likely to be subsidised for those who are willing to dedicate some teaching time for the club in the future. You should hold a commercial Yachtmaster Offshore qualification to book onto the course. If you are interested in completing this course then do get in touch and register your interest as we hope to make the dates suitable to those who are interested.

Powerboat Level 2
We continue to run our powerboat courses and receive excellent feedback from them. To charter our rib and have the whole of the Solent at your mercy, you need only complete this 2 day course and an online VHF (see below) and you can take your friends and family out on our rib. Some of the courses are already full but we have a vacancy on 23rd and 24th July and 1st and 2nd August. You might even get some good weather at that time of year.

Facebook and Twitter
We still try to get in touch with members and offer short notice discounts and the like but can only do that if you like us on Facebook or follow us on twitter. There are links on our internet site to do this – our twitter is mpsailingclub. You might gain by it.

Online Courses – VHF Radio – Essential Navigation – CEVNI – Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR)
With increasing demands on our time, online courses are likely to become more popular and certainly we have had positive feedback from the ones we currently run.

VHF Radio – This is an essential course to take out our rib or yachts and it’s always good to have it even if you only crew. You book the course and are sent a login and you can complete the various modules at your own time and at your own speed from the comfort of your own home, office or even on the train. The cost of £120 includes the £60 exam fee which many schools charge as extra.

The Essential Navigation course is designed for those occasional boat users whose boating is often close to land and the full day skipper is not required. It is tailored towards powerboat users, fishermen etc and sticks to the basics of what you are likely to need.

The CEVNI exam may interest those using the waterways of Europe where.

Yacht and Rib Charter
Our weekend yacht charter is quite busy from now on. There are still a few vacancies but if you’re looking for weekends then please don’t delay. There is also some space during the week on a number of the yachts but like all things it’s a first come first served situation. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into improving the yachts this year and feedback so far has been positive.

Now that the summer is here, why not have a day out on our rib. You can explore the whole of the Solent in a day if you want to.

As always the current availability is shown on our internet site.

Club Cruises and Races
There is one space on the Round the Island Race on 26th to 28th June. In this event there are usually around 1500 yachts all going round the island and it makes for a great spectacle. You don’t need racing experience or any special skills so why not give it a go. You’ll also be racing other MPSC yachts and the Commodores Cub, awarded to the first MPSC yacht over the finish line.

We’ve had some notable success on the racing front. In the PSUKs 18-22 May - Met A skippered by Mason King came first with John Oldham's crew in Met B getting second.

Mason also won the Fire Service National Regatta beating a fleet of 24 other yachts. Well done to all.

Email Address
The club email address is the Hotmail account at the top of this message. For some time now I have been using my personal email for these monthly circulations but due to the address being spoofed (not hacked) I am having to change this email address in the near future and details of my new personal email are shown below. It’s far easier if club emails are routed through the Hotmail account as this is monitored when I am away.

Good Sailing

Phil

 

Dateline: 06-05-2015

From Phil Onslow:

Dear All

Well summer is nearly here and we’ve had some good weather and some not so good weather. A few members were able to charter and rib at short notice during the hot spell a while back and if you note the comments below about Facebook and Twitter, this will become increasingly popular with some of our discounts so please like us on Facebook or watch us on Twitter.

I’ve published once again a letter from Mike Wise who has been our Vice Commodore for a number of years but feels that now is the time to step down. Please give this your serious consideration. It’s not an onerous task and there is lots of support for you but we deserve it to Mike to let him step down and we don’t want to be a ship without a rudder do we.

A number of other topics below and as always full information is on our internet site.

Sea Survival Course
We have organised a sea survival course for Sunday 21st June at Hamble using a local pool. We only hold these courses at most once a year but they provide such valuable knowledge for the sailor of whatever level you are or aspire to. Many of the offshore races and other organised events now insist in all or some of the crew completing this course as it is a potential life saver. You will learn about what to do when things go wrong including a practical session in a swimming pool with a life raft and you’ll also get the chance to let off some flares which is quite an experience. It is the course that could save your life yet it’s also such good fun. At just £90, its excellent value.

Yacht Charter
Our yacht charter availability dates are shown on our internet site. These are frequently updated and sometimes new dates become available due to cancellations so always keep looking. Due to the unfortunate cancellation of the West Country Cruise, there are a large number of new dates available for charter and that availability starts later this month and extends into June.

RIB Courses
We’ve a full programme of rib training courses centred around our fast rib ‘Hot Pursuit’. To charter her, all you need is a level 2 course completion certificate which takes 2 days and a radio qualification which can be done online. You can then take your family or friends around the Solent, explore some of the harbours for a meal and also have the thrill of going fast. Our level 2 courses cost just £220 and the dates are on the internet site.

RIB Charter
Chartering the rib couldn’t be easier and with the warmer weather recently a number of members were able to book at short notice. The dates are shown on the internet site and booking forms are online.

Vice Commodore Wanted!!
Mike Wise our Vice Commodore has asked me to publish the following:-

Dear Members and Friends

After much soul searching and with a heavy heart I have to inform you that 2015 will be my last year as Vice Commodore.

Having been a Director for the last ten years, five of which are as VC I now believe the time is right for me to stand down. This decision has not been taken lightly but I believe that this is the right time for a fresh pair of hands to take the helm and move the Club into a new era.

I would ask all of you to seriously consider taking on this role. It may look onerous but in fact, you will be working with an enthusiastic and committed Executive Committee, two very able ‘deputies’ in John and Phil and a wonderful Ops team it is a real pleasure and privilege. If it helps in your decision making I would be more than happy to act as a ‘deputy’ for 2016 to help you in whatever way I could. I will be also taking some extended leave during September 2015 so if any of you wanted to take on the role I would be happy to stand aside before then to give you some lead in time before the AGM.

If any of you would like a no obligation chat then please feel free to ring me on 07766366164.

With my best wishes

Mike


Competent Crew and Day Skipper
Our regular programme of Day Skipper and Competent Crew courses are now running. The Competent Crew course is suitable for everyone as no experience is necessary. For the Day Skipper you need to have completed the shorebased course or have equivalent knowledge gained elsewhere. See the training page for further details.

Exam Prep for Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore
If you’re thinking of progressing your sailing skills then the yachtmaster coastal or yachtmaster offshore are courses and qualifications that you should consider. Rather than give general advice here, we would suggest than anyone who is considering progression gives us a ring and we can suggest what will be right for you. For both of these exams, we strongly recommend a prep course and we normally only run one a year in September and this year’s dates are 13th to 20th September. It’s great to have something to focus on for the year and be working towards achieving.

Online Course Cruise and Charter Booking
To book any of our activities is really easy. We try to keep the availability up to date on our internet site in which case you just complete the online booking form and that’s it all done. If you can then give us a ring on the clubline to make sure the dates are still available but if you can’t get through then mail us or just do the form. We try to answer the phone personally as much as possible but it’s not always possible.

For courses it’s always advisable to contact us by phone first to make sure that the places are available an occasionally we can offer advice about the suitability of the course for you. We can reserve your place on the phone and often able to complete all the paperwork by phone as well.

Don’t forget that SRC Radio and Essential Navigation courses can be done online through us so you don’t even have to step away from your computer to do them.

Facebook and Twitter
We do our best to keep in touch with all our members but from time to time we get short notice opportunities and if we can get more members onto Facebook and Twitter then we can let you know early. There are links to both on our homepage and if you search for mpsailingclub on twitter you can find us there. We can get opportunities to you rather than you relying on you looking for them.

Club Cruises and Races
There may be a space or two on the round the island race and we’ve still spaces on the midsummer cruise which is a social cruise around the Solent. We hope to have all our yachts on this so please book early!

Email Address
The club email address is the Hotmail account at the top of this message. For some time now I have been using my personal email for these monthly circulations but due to the address being spoofed (not hacked) I am having to change this email address in the near future and details of my new personal email are shown below. It’s far easier if club emails are routed through the Hotmail account as this is monitored when I am away.

Good Sailing to All

Phil

Dateline: 05-04-2015

From Phil Onslow:

Dear All

Well the season has now started so there’s lots going on. We’ve an update on courses, cruises, some rib vacancies and even some discounts so please see below.

I’m often asked about friends and family completing these courses. Whilst we are a members club, it can be divisive if we build barriers. We want sailing to be a family and friendly orientated pastime so your friends and family can do our courses and cruises, and also join you if you charter our yachts or rib.

Do also consider what our Vice Commodore Mike Wise has written below. Mike has served the club for many years and needs to hand over the reins to someone new. We’re a thriving club but we do need members help for exec and non-exec positions and especially someone to take over from Mike.

Vice Commodore Wanted!!
Mike Wise our Vice Commodore has asked me to publish the following:-

Dear Members and Friends

After much soul searching and with a heavy heart I have to inform you that 2015 will be my last year as Vice Commodore.

Having been a Director for the last ten years, five of which are as VC I now believe the time is right for me to stand down. This decision has not been taken lightly but I believe that this is the right time for a fresh pair of hands to take the helm and move the Club into a new era.

I would ask all of you to seriously consider taking on this role. It may look onerous but in fact, you will be working with an enthusiastic and committed Executive Committee, two very able ‘deputies’ in John and Phil and a wonderful Ops team it is a real pleasure and privilege. If it helps in your decision making I would be more than happy to act as a ‘deputy’ for 2016 to help you in whatever way I could. I will be also taking some extended leave during September 2015 so if any of you wanted to take on the role I would be happy to stand aside before then to give you some lead in time before the AGM.

If any of you would like a no obligation chat then please feel free to ring me.

With my best wishes

Mike


West Country Cruises
Our West Country Cruises have the following legs:-
15th to 22nd May – Hamble to Plymouth
31st May to 7th June – Plymouth to Dartmouth
7th to 12th June – Dartmouth to Hamble

We currently have vacancies on all these legs, partly due to some cancellations and unforeseen circumstances but need to make a decision soon about whether it can go ahead. These cruises are wonderful opportunities to build some miles but also to explore sailing outside the normal Solent area. I speak from experience when I say that there are some wonderful places and opportunities on route. If you are interested then please get in touch as soon as possible and in any event by 19th April.

Vice Commodores Rally
We still have places on the club yachts for this event which is often one of the highlights of the year and is a great opportunity to meet other members, many of whom will have their own boats. The dates are 8th to 10th May and there will be a dinner at HMS Hornet. Se internet for further details.

Round the Island Race
This is almost booked up with all three yachts intending to participate. We can take a couple more as we like to keep them fully crewed. It’s one of the most popular races in the calendar with up to 1800 yachts taking part. If you’ve never raced before, don’t be put off as there are probably more cruisers doing it than racing. It’s all about the thrill of taking part and all the other people which make this special.

Charter Bookings – Facebook and Twitter
From time to time during the season we will be offering some discounted charter opportunities. These will be published on our internet site but you can make it so much easier for yourself by connecting with us on Facebook and Twitter. You’ll then get notified without having to look. All you have to do is to like us on Facebook and watch us on twitter and we can keep you so much better informed. It may even save you a few bob on a charter if you get one of the discounts.

The yachts are now in the water after their winter works but whilst they are available for use, we’re still looking to improve them as the year goes on. We’ve put a new Hatch on Sapphire and new windows in Blue Spirit so no more of that crazing as you try to look out. We’re currently undertaking some remedial work on the decks and certainly the indications from what we have done on Blue Spirit are very good and make them look so much better. We’ve a programme of upgrades as the season progresses. Many of them are a bit labour intensive so if you’re able to help out for a day that would be good even midweek. Do let us know.

Day Skipper Shorebased Course
We’ve a course scheduled for 18th to 22nd April with an optional sail on 26th April. Spaces are still available.

Competent Crew and Day Skipper Practical – rope puller wanted!
The dates for our RYA practical courses are shown on our internet site. We have a course running from 26th April to 1st May that has one vacancy. If you’re interested in this then do let us know as soon as possible. We’re also interested in taking someone who can act as a rope puller to facilitate the course. The cost of that will be only £140 which is only £28 per day and that includes all your food. You’ll get no instruction but is a cheap way to get out on the water and also a opportunity to watch others and maybe refresh some of your skills if they’ve got a bit rusty. You need to be at least Competent Crew to do this and also able to make all 5 days. There’s no certificate at the end. If you’re interested then get onto the clubline asap

RIB Charter
‘Hot Pursuit’ has been re launched after her winter laying up and is now available for charter. We’ve generally had good feedback on this rib especially about how much more frugal it is on fuel compared to the last one. To charter all you need is a Level 2 certificate and a radio qualification.

RIB Level 2 Courses
These 2 day courses are great fun and enable you to charter the rib for yourself and with family and friends. We currently have vacancies on the following dates

13th and 14th April
25th and 26th April
7th and 8th May

The April courses are available at our off season rate of £199 whilst those afterwards will cost £220 but still represent excellent value.

Course Cruise and Charter Booking
To book any of our activities is really easy. We try to keep the availability up to date on our internet site in which case you just complete the online booking form and that’s it all done. If you can then give us a ring on the clubline to make sure the dates are still available but if you can’t get through then mail us or just do the form. We try to answer the phone personally as much as possible but it’s not always possible.

For courses it’s always advisable to contact us by phone first to make sure that the places are available an occasionally we can offer advice about the suitability of the course for you. We can reserve your place on the phone and often able to complete all the paperwork by phone as well.

I hope you all have or had a good Easter depending on when you get this message.

Good Sailing

Phil

 

Dateline: 06-03-2015

From Phil Onslow:

Dear All

Well I’m told that 1st March marks the start of spring and that being the case there’s lots to look forward to on the sailing and powerboating front. We have forthcoming opportunities in the training, cruising and charter front which are outlined below and there are also items in relation to working parties (yes we still need you) a new Vice Commodore and we’re looking for feedback about a possible change in how we operate a rib/powerboat. So please do give us your views on this.

Further details are shown on our internet site and there are the usual means of contacting the club by phone or email shown below.

Cruises
Vice Commodores Rally
From 8th to 10th May we will be holding our Vice Commodores Rally. This is the best opportunity for boat owners and other members to get together sailing. Boat owners should contact Mike Wise to let him know that they are coming and places may be booked on our club yachts at £110 per person through the club line. We hope to get all three yachts going. There is a barbeque on the Friday evening and a crew meal at HMS Hornet in Portsmouth on the Saturday. This should be a really good weekend as we’ve not been to HMS Hornet before.

West Country Cruise
The longer cruises start in May with the following opportunities

15th to 22nd May - Hamble to Plymouth - £365

31st May to 7th June – Plymouth to Dartmouth – £365

7th to 12th June – Dartmouth to Hamble - £260

These cruises are a wonderful opportunity to build some miles, do some sailing away from the Solent where the boat is normally based and explore some wonderful harbours in Devon and Cornwall.

Round the Island Race
This is a unique event with around 1800 yachts taking part in the annual race around the Isle of Wight. If you’re not into racing then don’t be put off as in addition to the regular racing yachts, there is an enormous entry from ordinary cruising yachtsmen and women who enter the race for the spectacle and prestige. We need to get bookings early on this one so please reserve your place as soon as possible. The race is on Saturday 27th June, but the event starts from a club perspective at 5pm on Friday 26th June and the cost is just £140. Why not give it a go – I bet you won’t regret it. There is of course the internal club trophy for the Commodores Cup which is awarded to the first MPSC yacht.

Practical Training
RYA Day Skipper or Competent Crew

We still have places on our courses for Day Skipper or Competent Crew on the following dates:-

12th to 17th April

26th April to 1st May

17th to 22nd May

The competent Crew course is suitable for novices or those with little experience who want to learn things the proper way at the start and the Day Skipper if the first course which teaches you how to take charge of a yacht. If you’ve any questions about which is the right course for you then please give us a ring or get in touch by email.

Two Day Sail Training Modules
We’re running the following modules:-

6th to 8th April – Close Quarters Boat Handling

8th to 10th June – Day Skipper Refresher

10th to 12th June – Day Skipper Refresher

These courses are designed to complement the RYA Scheme, the close quarters course focusses on giving you the confidence to get in and out of your marina or other berth and also a bit of close quarters sailing.

The Day Skipper refresher is geared towards giving those who have completed the course but want a bit more practice at some of the skills and is ideal for those who just want to build up their confidence and ability a bit more before they charter.

The cost of each module is £135

Shorebased and Online Training
Day Skipper Shorebased
There are vacancies on our intensive Day Skipper course from 18th to 22nd April. This is an elementary course in basic seamanship, navigation and meteorology suitable for beginners and people with little experience in yachts. The course is run over 5 days in our Hamble classroom and the price of £295 includes the RYA pack including software plotter, charts and tables and a day’s free sailing at the end of the course.

SRC Radio – Essential Navigation and Seamanship – Professional Practices and Responsibilities - CEVNI
These courses are run online and can be completed from the comfort of your own home at times suitable to you. In particular, the SRC Radio is essential if you want to charter our rib or yacht (or indeed anyone else’s) and is also an important safety factor when cruising with others. See internet site for further details.

Sea Survival Course
This is a course which teaches skills we all hope never to need but it is a vitally important course. You will learn how to survive in the event of you having to take to the life raft and as well as a 2 hour spell in the swimming pool, you also get a hands on opportunity to let off flares. The course costs just £90 and is being held on Sunday 10th May at our classroom in Hamble.

Diesel Engine
You don’t have to aspire to be a mechanic to do this course. Amongst other things, it teaches a few of the basic points of how you can get your diesel engine working by diagnosing some simple faults. The course is being run from our classroom at Hamble and costs £65.

Yacht Charter
We’re finishing the winter refit of our yachts at the moment and we’re keen to keep them well maintained during the coming season. Our charter availability is shown on our internet site and bookings can now be done online so there is no need for tiresome paperwork. I always say that those who can plan their sailing get more from the club and certainly you have a greater chance of securing the dates you want if you book early. Our charter rates are very competitive and we only ask for a Day Skipper qualification from the charterer.

Powerboating
We keep our rib out of the water and under cover for the winter which we hope will prolong it’s life in the long term. It is however being brought out of hibernation on 23rd March and is then available for private charter.

Once again we’re running a full schedule of powerboat courses from level 2 to advanced. Level 2 is an entry level course, suitable for those with little or no previous experience. Once completed and with the addition of the SRC radio, you are then able to charter the rib and take your own family or guests.

RIB or Small Motor Boat
The directors are currently looking at whether a rib is the right vessel for the club and would a similar sized motor boat have greater appeal.

The rib is pretty all weather and can do over 40knots when running properly, but it’s specification is far above what is required for our level 2 courses and once you’ve blasted around the Solent a few times can lose its appeal. It has few creature comforts.

A small motor boat can have a cabin, heads, gas burner and probably sleep 2 people, maybe 2 children as well. It can be used for day trips as is the case with the current rib, or for occasional weekends and also has the advantage of a small cabin when it rains. It would not have the same performance and would probably do around 20 knots but even so, anywhere is the Solent can be reached within the hour.

At the moment, we’re just canvassing views about whether you feel the motor boat is something you are more likely to use, or whether the dedicated fast rib is more appropriate. Please feel free to email us with your thoughts.

Vice Commodore Wanted!!
Mike Wise our Vice Commodore has asked me to publish the following:-

Dear Members and Friends

After much soul searching and with a heavy heart I have to inform you that 2015 will be my last year as Vice Commodore.

Having been a Director for the last ten years, five of which are as VC I now believe the time is right for me to stand down. This decision has not been taken lightly but I believe that this is the right time for a fresh pair of hands to take the helm and move the Club into a new era.

I would ask all of you to seriously consider taking on this role. It may look onerous but in fact, you will be working with an enthusiastic and committed Executive Committee, two very able ‘deputies’ in John and Phil and a wonderful Ops team it is a real pleasure and privilege. If it helps in your decision making I would be more than happy to act as a ‘deputy’ for 2016 to help you in whatever way I could. I will be also taking some extended leave during September 2015 so if any of you wanted to take on the role I would be happy to stand aside before then to give you some lead in time before the AGM.

If any of you would like a no obligation chat then please feel free to ring me.

With my best wishes

Mike


Working Parties
A big thank you to those who have helped our yacht working parties over the winter. We’re still looking for people to assist on two dates to work on the yachts and the rib. The dates are

Saturday 7th March (yes that is this weekend)

Saturday 14th March

If you’re able to assist, please contact us on the clubline.

Good Sailing

Phil

 

Dateline: 12-02-2015

From Phil Onslow:

Dear All

Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner – I hope it is anyway as it’s been very cold for me after spending some time in the tropics. (Please hold the tears back.)

We’ve lots of great cruising this year and there’s lots of work in place to keep the yachts in tip top condition. Sadly we were not successful in our bid to the MPAA to fund a new yacht so we’re into seriously refurbishing what we’ve got. It helps us so much if you can book your places early as we can match supply to demand so please help us in this respect if you can.

Please have a look at the undermentioned topics especially the ones on working parties, Facebook and Twitter.

All courses, cruises and charter bookings can now be confirmed online from our internet site and payment by internet banking or through our secure server by credit or debit card so what could be easier..

Practical Courses
We’ve space on our practical courses for the following dates:-

12th to 17th April

26th April to 1st May

17th to 22nd May


The Competent Crew course is suitable for those who have little or no sailing experience and is a great opportunity to learn sailing first hand by doing it under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor.

The Day Skipper is suitable for those with some sailing experience who have either completed the shorebased course or have equivalent knowledge and skills learned through sailing.

The courses run from 5pm on the Sunday evening till 4pm on the Friday afternoon and accommodation is on the yacht. If you have any queries about which course is right for you, give us a ring and we’ll talk it through with you in more detail. Whichever you choose, I’m sure you’ll have a great time on the water and come back more knowledgeable than you went.

Day Skipper Shorebased
We are running the last of the close season shorebased Day Skipper courses from 18th to 22nd April with a day’s free sailing on 23rd which is optional. The course is based at our Hamble classroom and the course fee of £295 includes the RYA pack, software plotter and accommodation during the course.

Diesel Engine
We seem to rely so much on our engine nowadays and sometimes a small fault can cause us undue problems and stress. The RYA diesel engine course gives you a hands on look at some of the common faults which can occur and most importantly how to diagnose and rectify them. You don’t need any specific pre course knowledge and you won’t be an all singing all dancing mechanic at the end, but you will have more confidence and ability to tackle those minor faults that can otherwise spoil your sailing enjoyment. Date 12th April. Cost £65

RYA Online Courses
We can run the following courses online:-

SRC Radio

Essential Navigation

PPR (Professional Practice and Responsibilities)

CEVNI


Cruising
We have an active cruising programme this year with a mixture of long and short cruises and an opportunity to sail away from the Solent. Chartering yachts is only available to qualified members and you can only so so many training courses, but the cruises are open to everyone and should be our cornerstone activity to enjoy sailing. There are spaces on the following cruises:-

Early Bird – This is a 2 day weekend cruise within the Solent and is an ideal way to start the season. All three yachts are set aside for the cruise but there is one place left. The cruise runs from 5pm on Friday 27th March till 4pm on Sunday 29th March and the cost is just £99

Vice Commodores Rally - This is a once a year opportunity for members and boat owners to get together. We have three club yachts and members are able to come along with their yachts and we cruise in company around the Solent. In the past this has been held over the early May bank holiday but we’ve moved it to the weekend after now so it will run from 5pm on Friday 8th May till Sunday 10th May. The cost for those wanting a berth on a club yacht will be £110. In the past this has been a really enjoyable weekend and I’m sure it will once again this year. I could publish photos from previous years but I’m afraid they’d never get through the censors.

Hamble to Plymouth – An excellent opportunity to cruise outside the Solent and do a bit of mile building as well. There are some lovely and enchanting harbours on the Dorset and Devon coast and this strikes a balance between passage making but still having the time to visit and enjoy some lovely places on the way. Dates 15th to 22nd May. Cost £365

Plymouth to Dartmouth – This is just a short hop along the coast but above all it offers time in the West Country to explore some of the delightful Devon and Cornish towns and harbours. It’s a delightful place to sail in fact I’m spending a week there myself. Dates 31st May to 7th June. Cost £356

Dartmouth to Hamble – Another chance for some mile building and a crossing of Lyme Bay. The final leg of the West Country Cruises returns to Hamble. Dates are 7th to 12th June although there is scope to extend this slightly if it suits the skipper and crew. Cost £260

Round the Island Race – This is one of the highlights of the sailing calendar and attracts interest from international sailors and part time cruisers alike. It is one of the biggest races in the world although for many, the racing is less serious and whilst some experience is desirable, it is suitable for all levels and skills. If we can get all three yachts filled, there is the added incentive of the Commodores Cup which is awarded to the first MPSC yacht. The race is on Saturday 27th June but crews need to be there from 5pm on the Friday. There is usually a barbeque on the Saturday evening and a fun time is had by all. Cost £150

Twitter and Facebook
We’re trying to embrace modern technology and keep members better informed. To that end we have Facebook and Twitter accounts which we hope to make fuller use of from now on. To get the best out of them, we need you to like the Facebook and receive the Twitter feeds. You can do both by going to our internet site and clicking on the respective links. Read below for further details of how this could be to your advantage.

Charter Deals
It’s such a shame when the boats are at their mooring so we’re looking to entice you out on the water a little more. Whether we should have to is up for debate but the deal is this. From time to time, we will publish dates which will be short notice charters but we will discount them by 20%. They will be put on the web site but also fed to you through Twitter and Facebook (see above). Keep your ears, eyes and monitor alert for further details but most of all, monitor our Facebook and Twitter.

Working Parties
We had a great working party last Sunday but we are now approaching a key time in the maintenance programme when we need to complete the work and get the kit back on the boats. No special skills are required so please help is you can. Despite it being a working party, we usually have a fun time. Dates we need volunteers are :-

21st February
28th February
7th March
14th March

Please help if you can. Email us or phone the clubline so that we know you’re coming or you may not get anything to eat or drink.

Cruising Instructor Course
We’re always on the lookout for new instructors and are hoping to run a Cruising Instructor Course later this year. To qualify, you must hold an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification which is commercially endorsed. We’re looking at holding the course later in the year probably around September but dates can be set to suit provided we get sufficient students. The price has not yet been fixed but in the past it has been heavily subsidised provided those students are suitable and available to assist future club courses and cruises. If you are interested contact the clubline or email to register your interest.

Club Mooring
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we may have a berth available on our club pontoon starting 1st April. No this isn’t an April fool. It would suit a yacht up to about 34ft. If you may be interested then contact John Bailey on 01590 623356.

Good Sailing and Fair Winds

Phil

 

Dateline: 22-01-2015

From Phil Onslow:

Dear All

Well I’m back from my Atlantic travels and have to say that after nearly 3 months in the tropics, winter isn’t very easy to get used to. Please hold back the tears of sympathy though.

Now is an important time for the club as we have some new directors in post after the AGM and a new programme for the year ahead which I hope you will support. I’ve highlighted below some of the more timely activities but as usual see the internet site for further details or phone or email us.

Before that starts however, we have to finish our winter maintenance on the yachts. As always we’re working to a tight schedule so please make every effort to assist. It’s a great way to get to know the boats and other club members and most who come down for the day, have a good time with fellow members.

Yacht Working Parties
As highlighted above, we do need your help on these. No special skills are required just a willingness to get stuck in. We’ve a schedule of maintenance planned for the season together with some commercial deep cleans as we strive to improve the yachts both operationally and cosmetically. If we start off below where we want to be, we’ll struggle all season so please help. We need people for this Saturday if you’re available. Other dates are-:

8th February
21st February
28th February
7th March
14th March


Training Courses

RYA Diesel Engine Course - Sunday 12th April 2015 - Only £65
An essential course for sailors of all levels, our RYA Diesel Engine Course is designed to give you an insight into how your engine works and how to look troubleshoot problems.
You will work on a working marine yacht engine alongside our experience instructor.
The course is held at our Broadway Base at Mercury Marina.

RYA Day Skipper Practical Courses - From only £355
The early season RYA Day Skipper Practical courses are filling up quickly, so please book early to get your dates.
The course is a five day and night on board experience to teach pilotage, navigation, seamanship and boat handling

RYA Level 2 Powerboat Course - From only £199
We still have a few spaces left on our low season courses, which is only £199.
The dates of these courses are 13th-14th April & 25th-26th April.
This two day entry course designed for the complete beginner to power boating.

RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Intensive Course - £295
The RYA Day Skipper Course is an elementary course that covers basic seamanship, navigation and meteorology and is suitable for beginners and students with little or no experience.
The intensive course covers the Day Skipper syllabus over 5 days in the classroom and leaves the 6th for a day’s free sailing for those that want it. Courses are held at Hamble and the price of £295 includes accommodation.

RYA Day Skipper Theory Evening Course - Starting 22nd September - Only £240
Our evening classes start on Tuesday 22nd September 2015 at NSY.
The RYA Day Skipper Course is an elementary course that covers basic seamanship, navigation and meteorology and is suitable for beginners and students with little or no experience.
They consist of twelve Tuesday evenings, (1830-2100) and one full weekend session, ending on the 15th December.
We run one per year and there are only eight spaces, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Please check the Training Pages of the club website for more details.

Club Cruising
We’ve a full programme of cruising this year including a number of legs in the West country and some cross channel passages as well as our usual programme of short, mainly weekend cruising in the Solent. Full details are on the Cruising page of our internet site but here are some of the early season ones

Early Bird Cruise
This is just a weekend in the Solent shaking out a few of those winter cobwebs and are usually very sociable with a t least 2 yachts. Suitable for beginners or those with lots of experience. All you need is a desire to have some fun and enjoy sailing. The cost is just £99 and the dates are 27th to 29th March.

Vice Commodore's Rally
This has been moved away from the early May bank holiday and shortened into two days. It’s a great event with an opportunity for boat owners to come along in their boats and join the fun. We also have a number of spaces on the club yachts. The dates are now 8th to 10th May and the cost just £110. This has been an exceptional cruise in the past and I hope you can support it again this year.

West Country Cruising
Its sometimes nice to get away from the same old places so this year, we’ve organised a number of sailing legs in the West Country. The start and finish dates and places are set and it’s up to the skipper and crew to decide how much time boozing and cruising they want to do and which of the lovely places they want to go. Details are as follows-:

Hamble to Plymouth – 15th to 22nd May
A good mile builder and opportunity to get out of the Solent andvisit some Dorset and Devon harbours.

Plymouth to Dartmouth – 31st May to 7th June
This isn’t far and it’s envisaged that the crew will push on to Falmouth and maybe even the Isles of Scilly, or maybe explore the many small coves and harbours of Cornwall. Either way, a delightful place to cruise.

Dartmouth to Hamble. 7th to 12th June
Another mile building opportunity with countless opportunities to stop on the way and do some real sailing outside the confines of the Solent.

Yacht Charter
Provided our winter works are completed on time, our yachts will be available for charter from 22nd March. I’ve had quite a few bookings already so of you want specific dates my advice is to get in early. Details of availability are shown on the internet site.

RIB Charter
The RIB is currently hibernating under her cover with the engine winterised and covered in cling film. We believe that with such low demand in the winter, it’s better to preserve it this way over the colder weather and preserve it in the long term. We hope to get a maintenance party together to give her a good spring clean before she goes into service. It will be available for use after 1st April, so it’s there if anyone wants it over Easter it is available to you.

Good Sailing

Phil



 


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