SunSail schools

[Dave]

Can anyone out there let me know how their experience with the SunSail sailing schools went? Especially the branch in Tampa Bay? How were the boats, instructors, etc. Thanks, Dave...

 

[ted]

learning

look under royal yachting association on internet and if possible and if you can afford go to britain for a course there. strickly regulated are the ourses by the approved schools there. tidal experience as well. usually pretty affordable all told.found that nearly all courses here in states are too laid back if one wants to learn the basics and lay sound foundations for the hobby/sport of a lifetime. like myself, ask any brit who learnt in britain and sails here now. we all notice that it takes half the lifetime here to master the basics here!well, brittania ruled the seas fora very long time!ted.

 

[Andy Falls]

There is no second

In your best Brit accent, repeat after me... Pardon me mate, but when did Britian win the auld cup!

 

[Dave]

British schools

Ted,It's ironic that you should mention Britain as a school location. I've spent the last 5 summers over there, but don't have time to sail during my work there. Re the UK environment, you're right. They have some nasty tides and other conditions. But my plan is to retire to Florida and sail there, so am not sure it's relevant since Fla has no tides that I know of <g>.

 

[Wanderer138]

Which Sunsail schools?

If you mean the schools listed recently in Sunsail ads in the sailing press, the closest one to you is probably St Augustine Sailing in St. Augustine, Florida (natch). I am not sure what the exact deal is between Sunsail and these affiliate schools, but I suspect that it is easier to charter from Sunsail if you graduate from one of these schools.I got my ASA Basic Keelboat cert. at SAS two years ago and was able to charter a 40 ft Beneteau from Sunsail in Antigua a few months later. They did require me to take for a 2 hr check ride first though.IMHO, SAS is a good school and I recommend them highly. Check their website at www.sta-sail.com.Good luck.PeterS/V RavenS/V Raven

 

[j king]

sunsail/school

Dave: I had been sailing as a hobby and wanted to try bareboat. A sailing school, (in St Augustine), gave me the needed confidence and training to be able to charted in BVI with Sunsail. Sunsail is a well run orginization and the charterboats were in very good shape. A good place to start is in BVI. Good water and easy sailing as well as very beautiful. jk