The Cumbrae Blog

2012 Cruising Dates

We are pleased to announce the dates of our 2012 cruising programme which are now published on this website. 2011 has been a busy year for the National Centres two cruising yachts, Santa Vey and Somerled. and many of our customers and staff have happy memories of their time afloat this season. We hope to populate other areas of the website with 2012 dates by 28th October at the latest!

The 2012 dates are at 2011 prices which for will remain in place until the end of the year (21st  Dec 2011) So book early not just to avoid disapointment but also to save money. 2012 Prices will take effect on 4th Jan 2012

A great success was our new cruising venture in 2011 the "Viking cruise" which was a real success. The original premise was that the Vikings claimed ownership of land by circumnavigating it. By dragging their longships across at Tarbert they claimed the kintyre peninsula. The Crinan Canal makes life a lot easier these days! This season a trip around the Mull of Kintyre calling at Gigha then took a route up the Sound of Islay  for an evening at Colonsay before also "conquering" the island of Jura with a passage through the Corryvreckan at it's North end before heading for Crinan and returning through the canal to Clyde waters and homeward bound for Largs. 7 great cruising days.

Our Hebridean Cruising fully booked out this season and continues to be as popular as ever. The 7 and 8 day options allow extended periods of sailing in the finest cruising area in the world. Early booking is advised for these courses that start and finish at Dunstaffnage near Oban the gateway to the Isles. Other passage making cruises and the Irish milebuilder cruise all continue in the 2012 programme

Both yachts have been extremely busy running all the RYA certificate training courses,  and this programme is still ongoing until the end of October 2011. Next years Dates for; Competent Crew, Dayskipper, Coastal Skipper and Yactmaster preparation are now released.

The Professional Yachtmaster Training (PYT) course, run twice this season, continues to build on it's reputation, success and high standards . This course is still running until 4 December so good luck to Tom and Sebastian following the programme. next years 18 week PYT programmes start in March and July. We have FREE information days for anyone interested in the PYT course on 29th January...just phone to book, no cost or obligation!

Weekend Cruising courses run throughout most of the season, apart from when our yachts are away cruising the Hebrides! These courses, starting on a Friday evening  provide a  great  weekend "get away". They are hugely successful, relaxed, great fun and open to all. Those new to yacht cruising learn so much over a weekend while those who have already caught the sailing bug just love the idea of getting away from it all under the guidance of our experienced Instructors.

We are also continuing with our Special Offer 5 for 4 on cruising courses; organise a group of 5 on any crusing course and all go for the price of 4. (All 5 places must be booked by a single transaction)

We look forward to seeing you on board in 2012.

By David