ISA Membership Benefit

   If you are a member of the ISA (either through your club or directly), you can claim a 10% DISCOUNT on all SECS courses in 2009. Existing customers also qualify for the same discount but cannot avail of both.

Canaries Jan 2009

  Following on our very successful trips in Jan 2008, we ran a one week trip in the Canaries in early January 2009, (10th/17th). With 5 reasonably experienced crew aboard our Bavaria 39, Tomajo 1, we took on the western archipelago from our base in San Miguel on Tenerife, via San Sebastian, La Gomera to Santa Cruz, La Palma incorporating a driving tour of the island, then on to La Restinga, El Hierro before heading homeward to Santiago, La Gomera and back to base. All but 2 legs involved gale force winds, which tested boat and crew, who managed the conditions admirably. Seafood was the main choice ashore and we had some wonderful meals, capped by our final night in Los Abrigos on Tenerife - yummy! Definitely not a trip for the novice or timid sailor.

  From our 2008 trip, have a look Paddy Smyths article in the Irish Times Travel Supplement (March 22nd) for more information. We hope to be back in January 2010 for another Winter Sunshine Sailing trip - don't be disappointed, contact us now.

Greek/Turkish Aegean Aug 2009

   Teaming up with Celtic Ventures of Arklow, we are hoping to have 2 boats in company this year to create a more enjoyable experience for our customers. Our plan is to offer either a one week or a two week trip, depending on customer demand. The sailing holiday can be tailored to have a changeover option, should some people want to just do either 1st or 2nd week and of course, do both weeks.

 The proposed dates are Aug 22/29 and Aug 20/Sep 5, assuming we can match flights to dates. Come and chat with us at the Dublin Boat Show for more details.

    Newsflash - watch this space - we had a very exciting episode on our 2008 Aegean trip - 14 hours of drama resulting in being towed to shelter by the Greek Coastguard - details to follow.

Article from Afloat Sep 08

   Two of our successful students in 2007 penned an article for Afloat Magazine, which was published - Thanks to Ken and Tony O Toole. Read here

Sea Stallion of Glendalough

  Those of you who had thought about it but declined missed one of the most fantastic sailing weekends it has been my pleasure to be part of since my start up in 1997. We had brilliant winds on both Saturday and Sunday 28/29 June giving us exhilarating sailing, great craic in Poolbeg Y&BC with their Old Gaffers Trad session, and the piece de resistance - the send off for the Viking Longship replica, Sea Stallion of Glendalough. What a sight it made going down the Liffey under sail (despite the rain) with an escort of possibly 100 boats to see them off.

   To cap it all, Sea Stallion arrived into Wicklow after sheltering from the Irish weather in Howth on Thurs 3rd July - my prayers answered in buckets.

Stravaiger - bienvenido

   We offer courses from beginner to Yachtmaster Prep. in the ISA Cruising Scheme. Whatever level you are at, we should be able to match your training needs. Check out details of Courses offered above or see our Schedule for dates pencilled in. If a particular date suits your needs, drop us an e-mail or phone us now. Remember, Toesun usually comes too. All going to plan, we hope to have Stravaiger back in Wicklow in the 1st week in June and ready for the summer season. We are still awaiting the green light from the Marine Survey Office to see amended Passenger Boat regulations - this has been a very frustrating issue and it is very unsatisfactory the way our Government have handled this whole matter.

Spring Options 2009

     Come along and meet us at the Dublin Boat Show in the RDS, Feb 18-22 on Stand Q29 (ISA section). We have put Stravaiger to bed for the winter, her Department of Transport P6 COMSAIL refinements will be top of the maintenance agenda for the 2009 season. For our off season options, don't be shy, pick up the phone (087 2394379) or e-mail us (sailsoutheast@eircom.net) today - . We are running Night Classes (Yachtmaster Coastal) and also SRC/VHF as well as Emergency Care (1st Aid) over the spring months, possibly Wicklow centred.

    We will be working with Egon Friedrich of Celtic Ventures Sea School in running SRC courses, sunshine trips and other mutually suitable ventures. We hope to join forces to take 2 crews out to the Greek/Turkish Aegean in late August, on the lines of our previous trips in the Eastern Mediterranean, possibly based on the island of Kos. We have been doing these trips in Croatia and the Aegean for the last 5 years and they are very popular with our regular customers. Also, we hope to put together a trip in the Canaries in early Jan 2010 which are also a very popular annual winter option with our mutual customers.

SRC (VHF/DSC) Course

   We hope to run an SRC Radio course in Dun Laoghaire, starting on Weds 4th Feb over 3 nights - cost €235 (to include Department and Examiners fees). More details here. Course is full, another will be organised in the near future.

Degrees of Success

  Regular visitors to this site, will have seen my various references to the 3 years of toil undertaken in the interest of broadening my education - I graduated finally from UCD with an Hons. B.A. (Geography and Welsh) on Dec 1st.

  My latest challenge to keep me on the straight and narrow is to be the Commodore of Wicklow Sailing Club, one of Irelands more go ahead medium sized clubs, which hosts the internationally renowned Round Ireland Yacht Race.

 Yachtmaster Offshore Successes

   We are delighted to report 2 more candidates have passed the ISA Yachtmaster Offshore Practical exam last year - Ivan Alcorn and Eoin Christiansen, to add to the growing list of South East Cruising School trained Yachtmasters. Others who we know about in recent years are - Jim Grey (now an Instructor), Brendan O Connell, John Ahern, Colm Mac Fhionnlaigh, Ciaran Doyle, Nicky Keogh, Tommy Mc Aulay, PJ Swaine and Ansis Dimiters (now skippering a 72' super yacht "Celtic Spirit of Fastnet, having been to the Artic and Antarctic, now heading for the Baltic with it).

  This Certificate is the highest practical cert available to Yachtsmen wishing to sail or motor vessels in offshore waters (YM Ocean is mainly a Celestial Navigation Cert) and is due reward for building up experience with over 2500 miles logged and your ability to take full charge of a vessel up to 24 metres in length.

Dept. of Transport Ships Registration Consultation

  Any boat owners or intending boat owners should take a look at the Departments consultation document which is destined to be law in the not too distant future. It will affect all vessels greater than 7m LOA (and some below) and will pose technical and financial difficulties no doubt for owners in trying to comply with various aspects of their requirements. For older boats, how many will have Builders Certificates? If you have any queries or views on the issues raised in the document, raise them asap with the mandarins in the Department. Where has our Dept. of Marine gone to? Check it out here and have a look at the previous submissions link - more food for thought -  http://www.vesselregister.ie/english