2011 Cruises
Easter, Scotland Cruise –
16th April 2011 to 23rd April 2011
Cruise Organiser: Simon Hamilton, Adcombe View, Blagdon Hill, TAUNTON,
Somerset. TA3 7SG.
Tel: 01823 421829 or 07771930745
Easter is late in 2011; the days that little
bit longer and hopefully the weather a little more clement than is sometimes
the case when we sail a few weeks earlier.
We have booked 2 yachts, the Jeanneau 36i "Janet Macarthur"
and the Legend 36 "Lady Naomi" for one week commencing on Saturday
16th April 2011 and finishing the following Saturday, which is the day
before Easter. Both boats are very recent and well equipped additions
to the Isle of Skye Yachts fleet. They will both comfortably sleep six
and have heating to keep us warm on those cold Spring nights.
What we do and where we go depends on wind and weather, but a circumnavigation
of Skye with at least a day or two in the Outer Isles is a reasonable
ambition for Easter, especially a late one like this. As usual, we should
be the first boats in the area, and have most places to ourselves.
Never mind about cruises advertised for later in the Summer – Easter
is the time to sail in Scotland for the true connoisseur!
The cost of the cruise will be £320 if you book before the AGM.
A non returnable deposit of £100 secures you your place and this
price, but I must ask that all balances be paid on the night of the AGM
so that we can be sure who is sailing before the committee meeting the
following day. Don’t forget that this price includes all your food
for the week.
Penguin invites all to come sailing, whatever your previous experience
– if any, but please note that all participants must be able to
swim at least 25 metres and for Scottish Easter sailing we do not take
those under the age of 15.
Please complete the application form as completely as possible and elaborate
on your sailing experience on the reverse. This helps us to balance the
crews. If you want to sail with another person please say so and we will
do our best to accommodate. If you have any special dietary requirements
or medical conditions please let me know – this information will
be treated as confidential.
Finally, if you have ANY questions, please do not hesitate to contact
me – Simon Hamilton.
Summer, St Kilda Cruise attempt
– 9th July 2011 to 16th July 2011
Cruise Organiser: Jonty Pearce, Woodstock, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall,
MALVERN, Worcs. WR13 6PR
Tel: 01684 541144
Well, after 5 years it is time to try to get
to St Kilda again. As ever, at around 35 miles West of the Outer Hebrides,
these fascinating Islands are only accessible when the weather is fair.
However, with the three largest boats (Elan 423, Jeanneau SO43, and Beneteau
423) from Isle Of Skye Yachts, and going at the start of Summer, we hope
we stand the best chance of success.
Famed for their remoteness, steep cliffs and the myriads of wheeling gannets
and other seabirds, the islands were deserted when the population fell
below sustainable levels. The village street lies deserted and roofless,
bar a few renovated houses for the warden and visitors, and, of course,
the old Missile Station buildings.
This is not a family cruise as it may involve long passages, watch keeping,
and night sailing. Inevitably we do need to plan a little more than our
usual Easter cruises especially in terms of distance. All destinations
are, of course, weather dependent, and while I hesitate to label this
cruise ‘The St Kilda Cruise’, we will try hard to get there.
Alternative targets if thwarted might be round Barra Head or the Butt
Of Lewis.
The lower age limit is 14 and all younger crew members should be able
to swim at least 25 metres. Under 18’s need someone prepared to
be in loco parentis and their applications marked accordingly. For those
not having such an adult on the cruise, the adult responsible will be
either the Commodore Afloat or the boat’s Skipper. I would like
to remind those interested that this might not be an ideal cruise for
‘virgin sailors’ or those unsure of their robustness aboard
a pitching boat. St Kilda is a long way out with no stop-offs along the
way.
The cruise starts and ends at Armadale on Skye. Usually we aim to be there
for at least 1400hrs and aim to leave by this time on the last Saturday.
The cost will be £395 – a booking deposit of £200 and
the balance of £195 by 1st April 2011. Those wanting to pay the
whole amount in one go before 10th December 2010 will only be charged
£385. The early payment date and higher deposit are to enable us
only to pay the lower VAT rate. The fee includes boat charter, club insurance,
fuel and food (not alcohol), and mooring fees, but not personal insurance
(optional) or transport up to Armadale.
Please fill in details of your sailing experience as it helps us get the
right balance of skills in each boat. While we try to run on a first come
first served basis, please however understand that on a cruise such as
this we need to ensure that we have places for experienced skippers and
mates so I will only be able to promise places when adequate ‘officers’
have booked. Cruises have been filling up so fast that I advise those
keen to join us to respond immediately – there are only 24 places.
Finally may I remind those filling out this form that a signature is mandatory
for the club’s insurance – please ensure you give us all the
requested details.
Happy Sailing and please contact me if you have any queries – Jonty
Pearce.
Late Summer, Aegean Cruise
– 16th to 23rd September & 23rd to 30th September 2011
Cruise Organiser: Michael Webb, 4 Sydnope Hall, Two Dales, MATLOCK, Derbyshire.
DE4 2FN.
Tel: 01629 733804
Top up your winter batteries with a relaxing
cruise in the warm Aegean waters of the Northern Sporades, flying into
Skiathos airport, just 10 minutes taxi from the marina. Choose one or
two weeks in these delightfully wooded islands to the east of mainland
Greece, which offer an ideal cruising ground for sailing and unwinding.
It is intended that the First week will be gentle cruising between the
nearby islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos, with passages of between
15 and 30 miles. This should give plenty of time for relaxing, going ashore,
enjoying the beaches and occasionally eating at tavernas. After a crew
change on Friday 23 September, the Second week may provide the opportunity
to sail to the Island of Skyros which lies some 40 miles to the South
East, before returning to the islands nearer Skiathos.
We have booked two 40 foot Bavaria yachts, for 6 berths each at a cost
of £335 per person per week, which does not include air travel UK
to Skiathos or food, for which skippers will run a ‘Kitty’.
The charterer, Nautilus Yachting, would arrange direct flights from various
UK airports at around £345 return and offers protection for flights
and the sailing holiday under their ATOL 3016 tour operator scheme.
Example flights - Out Friday 16 Sept. - Dep. 0930 Manchester – Arr.
1505 Skiathos. Return flight Friday 23 Sept. Dep. Skiathos 16.05 Arr Manchester
19.10.
Crew members must be able to swim at least 25 metres and are required
to carry current Passports and European Health Cards. Travel insurance
with offshore cruising cover is vital and all crew members will be asked
to provide evidence before departure. Costs may vary slightly depending
on exchange rates and these will be notified closer to the time. Places
will be allocated on a first come first served basis subject to the availability
of suitable skippers and mates.
Finally, if you have ANY questions, please do not hesitate to contact
me – Michael Webb.
We received this letter from the 2009 sponsored place:
Dear Penguins,
Here, at long last, is proof of my extreme reluctance to write letters. The appearance a couple of days ago of 'A Ring of Bright Water' in the TV schedule served to remind me of the fact that I'd yet to thank you properly for the time we spent in Scotland earlier this year, and of all the things that made it so enjoyable.
THANKYOU, before I forget again, for inviting me and funding my trip with the Penguins, and for involving me in every part of the cruise. To be surrounded by such a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm was a brilliant experience, particularly on my first real encounter with this type of sailing, and enabled me to get to grips with life on board without too many mishaps.
The stunning scenery, excellent food,
and fascinating company would in themselves have made for a splendid holiday,
but what really struck me was what, being sixteen, I can only term 'The
Penguin Factor.' (It's the little things —the Easter egg hunt, our
unscheduled stop at Loch Rodel, Captain Horatio Scampblower and Paddypaws,
to name but a few —that make sailing with the Penguins so memorable.)
The combination of all these things, together with the benefits of so
complete an escape from the outside world, in particular relief from the
stress of everyday life, has made this holiday the highlight of a very
busy year.
I'm hoping to apply for next year's trip to Scotland as and when details
(and school terms dates) become available, and will be praying for a repeat
of this year's weather!
Many thanks,
ANY IDEAS FOR 2012? Please contact a member of the committee with your ideas - and maybe an outline plan.