Commodore Yachting are now offering the on-line CEVNI test.

This online test is an alternative to the paper-based test that has been in operation since the 1990s and will provide ease of access to test facilities for those who don’t live near a RYA training centre. Commodore Yachting pleased to be able to offer the new on-line CEVNI test as well as the paper exam. The charge for the on-line test is £20.00. You can practise the test before taking it for real by going to the RYA website where you will find the tests on the RYA interactive page. There is no limit to the number of times you can take the practice test. Once you are ready to take the test you can access the test by way of a code issued by the training centre. On completing the CEVNI test you will be told immediately whether you have been successful or not.

Empty corner

With the RYA Sailing School classroom and floating office out of the water for a refit and all the yachts either on a sailing course or out on charter in the Solent, Commodore corner is  empty for yet another weekend! We would like to say a big thank you to all our yacht  charter customers and sailing school students for making 2010 another fantastic season for Commodore Yachting.

Barge moved into shed

After the massive task of scaping off the weed and then sandblasting the hull of the Commodoere Yachting barge the first of 3 coats of epoxy paint are applied.

Barge gets new coat of paint

Then the most exciting bit! The barge is moved from the boatyard into the huge shed in readiness for a refit. The RYA Sailing School office and classroom is going to have a totally new look – watch this space!

Sandblasting

Underwater garden

After 7 years afloat the Commodore Yachting barge sported a lush underwater garden complete with a good quantity of oysters when it was lifted out of the water this week. After being scraped and then pressure hosed off the  Solent based RYA Sailing School floating office and classroom was ready for sandblasting. Although there was surface rust, yacht surveyor Martin Pittilo gave the thumbs up that not only had the barge lost less than 0.8 mm of its base to rust but it had at least another 70 years of life in its steel base.

Barge haul out

After 7 years on the water and serving as an office and classroom for the RYA Sailing School and Solent Yacht Charter, the Commodore Yachting barge has gone for a refit. The 65 foot long steel barge was built by Commodore Yachting principal Stuart Cooper and Gareth Jones in Hamble before being moved to Gosport where it currently lies in Gosport Marina. Customers and students will know it well having visited in when chartering a yacht or taking a RYA theory course or practical sailing course. With the barge now high and dry at Endeavour Quay overlooking Gosport Marina it is business as usual at the RYA training centre with a makeshift office set up on Adelaide Star, one of the company’s Bavaria 44 charter yachts.

The refit will involve cleaning the bottom which as you can see resembles the hanging gardens of Babylon, repainting and extending the accommodation to include a second classroom and new office.  The barge should back in it’s usual spot in 2 weeks time.

 

 

 

Barge out of water

Barge in hoist

Weekend Sailing

We have just added more dates for RYA Start Yachting / weekend sailing courses to offer more places as the summer programme fills up. The weekends are suitable for complete novice sailors wishing to to try sailing for the first time as well as anyone wishing to take Competent Crew or Day Skipper over 3 weekends. If you don’t want to take a RYA sailing course the weekend is jus as suitable to gain experience or just to relax! Take a look at our dates RYA courses page http://www.commodore-yachting.com/rya-sailing-courses-dates-fees/

RYA First Aid

We have just added a new date for the RYA First Aid Course on 26th June. We have places available for anyone requiring this course which is a pre-requisite for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore Examinations. You will be taught essential lifesaving and first aid skills which will prove useful both afloat and ashore. Contact us on 02392504443  or e-mail info@commodore-yachting.com

Which course?

Day Skipper theory cat style? Wilson the cat has a lot to learn before setting off on an around the world cruise with is owners on board their Bowman Talisman 50, Plieades. Together with his brother Friday they have been learning a lot about sea safety and with a RYA Sailing School right next to their yacht they have been making the most of every minute.

RYA Day Skipper Cat

Friday was spotted looking at the sailing school notice board, will he be booking a place on the next Day Skipper practical course?

Principal Commodore Yachting

RYA sailing school principal Stuart Cooper and instructor Rob Tapscott are making their way back overland from Romania where they have been teaching a RYA sailing course.  Like hundreds of thousands of other travellers they have been caught up the chaos brought about by the eruption of the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano in Iceland. After teaching a Day Skipper course in the Black Sea they were hoping to fly home on Friday morning from Varna in nieghbouring Bulgaria only to find their flight cancelled. With little  prospect of the situation improving the took a train from Varna to Sofia and then a bus from Sofia to Paris. After travelling for 48 hours with lengthy delays at the many border checkpoints they are currently stuck in the Stuttgard traffic but still hoping to make the Caen ferry to Portsmouth in the morning.

VHF Radio including GMDSS

Learn how to use your VHF radio including GMDSS before the season gets under way. Find out what to say – and what not to say when you use your radio to call up the marina or to call for help. By the end of the day you will understand correct precedures and radio etiquette and be confident in using the radio on your own boat or charter yacht. Our next radio course is on Sunday 18th April and costs £79.00 excluding the licence fee payable to the RYA.  You need to take this course before operating your radio on board you boat.