About Commodore Yachting

Commodore Yachting is a RYA Sailing school based in Gosport Marina offering  RYA Sailing Courses and Solent Yacht Charter. The company was started in 1999 by Stuart Cooper after leaving the Royal Navy. Drawing from a lifetime of experience on the water and a passion for sailing he built the company from one yacht to its present size with five company owned Bavaria yachts and two on management.

Stuart is meticulous about maintaining the highest possible standards both in the maintenance and preparation of the yachts and the experienced instructors employed to teach both theory courses and practical sailing courses.

“We cannot control the wind, tides and weather of course but our years on the water mean that we can take advantage of the conditions or at least minimize their effects ensuring that safety is always paramount whilst at the same time learning and fun are top of the agenda”

All safety equipment and procedures are frequently updated, over hauled and inspected by the RYA.

Commodore Yachting has a team of full time staff as well as a small number of highly experienced freelance instructors.

The Team

School Principal

Stuart Cooper

Stuart Cooper is Principal of Commodore Yachting and Senior instructor. As a YMI and RYA Examiner he is well placed to advise students and help them choose the right training. He teaches many of the more advanced RYA sailing courses but will often be seen out on the water on a Start Yachting course  or teaching Day Skippers.

He has a wealth of knowledge about sailing  and yachts and at the end of the season applies this to his own yacht where he can often be found down in the bilges or at the top of the mast.

Manager

Karen Key

Karen runs the office as well as everyone’s diaries and if you contact us the chances are that she will answer the phone or your e-mail. She loves sailing and describes herself as a enthusiastic and dedicated crew capable of knowing when things are not right!

Usually you will find her in the Commodore yachting office but she has been know to escape to warmer climes in the winter with the company laptop.

Chief Instructor

Dave Robson

David Robson has recently joined the team as Chief Instructor.

Bosun

Steve Hyde

Steve is responsible for looking after the yachts and ensuring they are prepared and ready for RYA courses or charters. He is instantly recognisable on the marina and allegedly owns a Harley Davison. If you are chartering a yacht he will show you over the boat, answer any questions and ensure everything is ready for you to go.

Apprentices

Matt and Ryan are in their second year as marine apprentices.  They came to Commodore Yachting for work experience in their first year and will be seen out and about on the marina except on Tuesdays when they attend college. Through Commodore Yachting they are both taking their Competent Crew certificates and have one further weekend to do to complete the course.  They have also attended the RYA First Aid course and the RYA Diesel Engine course.

Matthew Heath

Matthew is 17 years old and studying Marine Engineering at Paragon College, Fareham. He is very keen to learn more about the charter industry as he hopes to work abroad as an marine engineer when he finishes his apprenticeship.

Ryan Smart

Ryan is also 17 and studying at Paragon. He loves working around boats and hopes to get a job in Boat Building or maintenance when he finishes his apprenticeship.