Yacht Training

Yacht Training Tuition Joining Instructions

 

Welcome

Thank you for choosing to sail in Scotland with 1st Clyde Yacht Training. To help you prepare for your forthcoming tuition we have put together some useful information and recommend you read it through a couple of weeks before your course commences. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any further queries.

 

Opening Hours:

You may join us on arrival by prior arrangement.

Contact numbers: Emergency Telephone for delayed arrival 07552 991392  (7am – 10pm)

 

Training Course typical start times.

Meeting location at Marina Reception.

Practical courses (Timings flexible subject to prior confirmation meeting the evening before at 19.30)

5 Day Course tuition starts 08.30 Wednesday, by prior arrangement meeting 19.30 evening before, finish 16.00 Sunday

2+3/3+2 tuition starts 08.30 Saturday, by prior arrangement meeting 19.30 evening before, finish 16.00 Sunday (Short weekend)

or start tuition 08.30 Friday, by prior arrangement meeting 19.30 evening before, finish 16.00 Sunday (Long weekend)

 

Theory classroom or online tutorial support to courses by arrangement.

 

ONLINE Course Information

Once purchased we will provide you with an enrolment code for the online system.

You then log on to the course and enter the enrolment code we have supplied you when you purchased the course and you are up and running!

We will also send out the course pack with training charts and almanac to help you get hands on experience (where relevant).

 

Training Course Information

Students to Instructor Ratio5:1 maximum for all practical tuition except 4:1 on Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore Examination Preparation Courses.

 

What to bring?

We suggest you pack the following:Fleece top, gloves, hat, scarf, thick socks, comfortable trousers / tracksuit, deck shoes / sailing boots or white-soled trainers (preferably non slip), neck towel or small towel to stop drips. We do not recommend jeans as they take a long time to dry. It is much warmer to wear multiple thin layers than one thick layer. Hopefully you will have good weather and if you do get sunshine we advise you have a hat, sun cream, sunglasses, shorts and T-shirts. Please note that all personal items are brought at your own risk. You may also want to bring your own waterproofs and wellies, or hire some from us, though these are limited.

 

Accommodation

You will be sleeping on board in shared cabins. Bedding and towels are not provided.

PLEASE NOTE - We do not provide bedding so please bring your own sleeping bags/liners, pillows (or inflatable travel ones) and towels. You can hire sleeping bags from us for the duration. Please bring your things in a soft holdall as there is no storage on board the yacht.

 

Theory courses, subject to availability, on board accommodation.

 

Catering Arrangements

All breakfasts, lunches, three evening meals on five day courses, snacks, drinks (Teas/Coffees/Refreshments) are included. On your first night (and usually the last) you will have the opportunity to join with the rest of your crew for an evening meal at your own expense on all courses. You are welcome to bring any extra nibbles you may require! We do not specifically cater for vegetarians or other dietary needs and we therefore suggest you bring alternative provisions as required. Your skipper can recommend good restaurants at each overnight stop should you wish to dine ashore.

 

PLEASE NOTE that you will be expected to help on board with cooking, washing up and general housekeeping of the yacht. Yacht husbandry is part of the course. Students may not bring alcohol on any vessel without the express consent of the instructor. Please ask.Theory Courses - catering is the responsibility of the student except for tea and coffee supplied throughout.

 

Log book

You will require a Logbook in advance of your training. If you already have a log book please bring it, if not you can order a log book from us, or you can purchase one at the start of the course. Please come prepared if possible as you must have a Personal Logbook to undertake any practical tuition. Review Reference Books and order your Log Book from here.

 

Recommended Reading

Practical and/or Theory tuition texts. E.g. Competent Crew Practical Course Notes (PCN), Day Skipper PCN, Day Skipper Notes, Yachtmaster Notes. These Reference Books can purchased in advance direct from us, or at the Marina Chandlers. Other publications on core subjects relevant to the course are also available for reference. These act as an aide memoir afterwards and are not totally comprehensive covering all the detail within your training.

 

Passport Photograph

For all skipper courses you must bring a passport size photograph for the issue of your photographic completion certificate. Without this we are unable to issue your certificate.

 

Prior Experience

To achieve satisfactory course completion RYA requires adequate knowledge and logged experience. For example Day Skipper Practical Course requires Day Skipper Theory knowledge (not necessarily the Theory Certificate but this is preferred) and at least 5 days sea time, 100 miles tidal waters and 4 night hours or a Competent Crew Certificate. Please check that you meet course prior experience or phone if you are unsure.

 

Marina Fees

Mooring/marina fees are NOT included for tuition. Any costs incurred for berthing/electricity, excluding this marina, will be spilt between the students. Theory courses have no charge, subject to availability, for on board accommodation at the marina.

 

Children on Courses

Children aged 13+ - We welcome your older children on any of our courses at any time of year as long as they are accompanied by at least one adult. Under 16s can get introductory qualifications but only over 16s can they progress to Intermediate qualification.

 

How to find Yacht Training facilities

By Car

From Glasgow Airport on the M8 follow the signs for Greenock. Continue until you come to Port Glasgow which continues into Greenock and then follow the signs on the A78. You will pass Bridgend, then Sainsbury's on the left and then the marina is the next turn on the right at Inverkip. The journey takes about forty minutes.

 

From Prestwick follow the coast road sign posted Greenock. After rounding the bypass at Ardrossan, travel through Seamill, Fairlie, Largs and then North along the coast road through Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay. The Kip marina is then the next turning on the left. The journey takes about 1 hour. Follow signs for the marina car park.

 

By Train

From Glasgow Central or Paisley Gilmour Street take the Wemyss Bay train. This runs hourly. Inverkip is at the penultimate station to the end of the track (turnaround back to Glasgow). Taxis can be ordered and are located immediately at the front of the station and are approx. £5 per trip to the marina. It is possible to walk to the marina down the hill but with a large heavy pack this can seem some distance - approximately 15 minutes walk.

 

By Plane

Use either Glasgow or Prestwick Airports they are roughly the same distance by car. Then either a taxi or train. From Glasgow Airport the rail link bus takes you to Gilmour Street Railway Station which has direct services to Inverkip/Wemyss Bay. Prestwick Airport has a dedicated station. However change at Gilmour Street Station for Inverkip/Wemyss Bay.

 

On Arrival 

On arrival you should report to Reception and ask for the access code to the toilets & showers which changes weekly. Make a note of this No. as it also provides pontoon access through the Car Park. Parking is free.

 

We hope that these notes will help you make the most of your training course and your time spent with us. Please read through carefully and contact us if you have any queries. In the event of difficulty on route ring the Emergency Telephone for delayed arrival 07552 991392 

 

We hope that you have a great time and thank you for booking.