Belated Summer 2010 Season

  1/8/10 - At last some good news - the engine is back in the boat and running again - a full 4 months after coming to grief. Sail Training will be very limited (5 day Irish Sea trips only for now) so weekenders will have to wait until the licence is issued.

  We are still going through the rigours of trying to comply with the Dept. of Transport Comm Sail Passenger Boat Licence Survey and hope to be back on the water before late July. Looks like I will be suspending my application - my surveyor is stone walling on the issue of stainless steel sheeting around my engine - just another of their ludicrously stupid interpretations of the Regs.

  See our Greek paragraph for information on Sunshine Sail Training this summer

  See the schedule for provisional July onwards - let me know if any suit.  Don't delay, get in touch asap. Our normal fare of weekends,ICC and Own Boat Training courses are all popular options with our customers but have to be postponed for now. The more adventurous of you with time available will enjoy doing Irish Sea crossings for the extra miles experience as well as the more challenging options available.

   We can also organise SRC (VHF), Emergency Care (1st Aid) and Navigation courses for anyone needing same - min. of 4 persons in all cases. Please let me know if you are interested. (see over -->)

Greek Waters Aug2010

   Unfortunately, there has been no concrete interest in our Greek trip this year - a group interested in doing it could be accommodated but you would need to get your gang together soon - dates are flexible up to end of September and Croatia is also an option, if Greece doesn't appeal.

(Following on from our very exciting adventures in 2007 and 2008  and a more leisurely trip in 2009 sailing in the Aegean, this year we plan to go West again towards the Eastern Pelopinnesian cruising ground via the Saronic Gulf, where waters are generally calmer and more friendly for beginners to consider joining us. Flying to Athens, we hope to enjoy a week of cruising in beautiful waters with many sites of historical interest to visit while enjoying the small town ambiance of the many harbours and anchorages throughout the area. The islands of Hydra, Spetses and Poros are well worth a visit among many other interesting destinations.)

 The proposed dates are late Aug assuming we can match flights to dates. Check out this link for more information. No t likely to happen this year unless a sudden rush of blood gets some enquiries on board.

South East Cruising School on YouTube

   Following on from an ISA Day Skipper course we ran in August 2008, successful candidate Tiberiu Coroliuc put together this video of the trip which gives a good flavour of the types of experiences that candidates might encounter - organising the navigation, taking charge of the vessel, sailing in strong winds, life at anchor and on board and more. Check it out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BgXLuqYShU - follow the link. Hopefully the weather will be a bit better in 2010!

Canaries Jan 2011

  Following on our very successful trips in Jan 2008, we ran a one week trip in the Canaries in early January 2009, (10th/17th). Next up, we hope to be back for some winter sunshine sailing in January 2011. The Canaries are in the Atlantic Ocean and as such, are not suitable for beginners. Keep an eye out here for further news.

  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.

SRC (VHF) / Emergency Care (1st Aid) courses

   If you would like get a Ships or Personal Radio Licence, we can organise a Short Range Certificate VHF Radio course - generally over 3 nights or 2 days (or as suits), with a separate exam. In order for it to happen, we will need a minimum of 4 students. The next course will be run in Wicklow Sailing Club - (2 nights/1day) - Mon 11th pm, Tues 12th pm and Sat 15th May all day - prior booking essential - cost €230 adults, €190 juniors (10% discount SECS or WSC members) - includes examiner and Dept fees.

   The Irish Sailing Association Emergency Care (1st Aid) course is designed specifically for boating enthusiasts over 2 days with about 1/3rd taken up with practical training. Whether you need it for vocational reasons or just for your own benefit, this course is well worth the time spent in doing it. The next course will take place in Wicklow Sailing Club on Sat/Sun 24/25 April - prior booking essential. We are also hoping to organise a course during May - let me know if you are interested.

Recession Buster - Lower Prices

  For the second year running, I have dropped my prices in recognition that your spending power is shrinking as more demands make calls on your funds. Early season discounts apply. Also, please ask about terms - we might be able to accommodate in special circumstances.

  Unfortunately, due to exorbitant charges by the Credit Card company, I can no longer accept payment by way of credit card - apologies for the inconvenience.

   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 2010. Existing customers also qualify for the same discount but cannot avail of both. Also, see above topic for early season discounts.

Some Images from 2009/10

    Check out this link for some photos of our trips. Our first trip in March 2010 was a Yachtmaster Coastal Preparation course with 4 trainees aiming to tune up for the ISA or RYA Exam. It was an intensive weekend of training and assessing, giving each person an opportunity to find their weak/strong points. One of those on board, Glenans Instructor Bryan Dobson, made a fabulous meal of Spanish Chicken with pasta, followed by bread and butter pudding - yummy. Luckily the weather behaved for a change and all went well.

 Yachtmaster Offshore Successes

   2 local customers of SECS recently passed their RYA Yachtmaster Power practical exam in July 2010 and are now commercial skippers working for a local firm - well done to James O Brien and David O Leary.

   We are delighted to report  more candidates have passed the ISA Yachtmaster Offshore Practical over the last few years - Ivan Alcorn and Eoin Christiansen, to add to the growing list of South East Cruising School trained Yachtmasters. Others whom 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.