"A very quick note to say thank you very much to you and the team for a really enjoyable and informative week’s sailing. I have sailed yachts on and off for most of my life including a transatlantic race of over 3500 miles, a couple of tall ships races and numerous other adventures abroad and in the UK but I still found the tuition and practical training on the Day Skippers Course at Seajays Sailing school both enjoyable and incredibly useful and informative. The training provided me with numerous opportunities to re-learn things I had forgotten but it also enabled me to learn and practice many new techniques too. You are clearly never too old to learn new tricks! Keep it up and thanks to all the instructors and examiners involved in the week.
P.s. Well done arranging to have the Solent to ourselves most of the week .......... I am still not sure that it didn’t have something to do with the prevailing SW force 7 or 8 all week. By the way you need to reset your wind alarm to something over 30knots as we got bored resetting it all week!!"
Richard Knocker, Director, No Doubt Ltd (May 2011)
"Dear CJ
I should have done this earlier, but better late than never! I wanted to thank you for the course, and for prepping myself and Peter so thoroughly for our YM exam. You bring amazing attention to detail, are very aware of the sort of things which are important to the YM examiner, and then are
able to drill these things into us candidates with great patience, and then you manage to stay calm throughout. Should, in future, candidates start reciting their ColRegs outside your cabin late at night when you are trying to sleep, just remember to bring earplugs...
As we told you at the time, it was a pretty amazing experience, and given February temperatures and wind between 6 and 8 Beaufort, a fairly exhausting one, but perhaps because of that a very satisfying one as well. Rest assured I will pass your name to any one I come across interested in some sailing tuition."
Sam VH (Feb 2011)
"Hi CJ,
I just wanted to Show some well deserved appreciation for all the hard work you put in, not to mention the patience and flexibility you demonstrated in steering me through the Competent Crew course and then on to achieve Day Skipper!
Given the fact that, I had only stepped on to a sailing boat twice, previously in my life and then as no more than a distracted passenger on day trips. What you helped me to achieve is nothing short of miraculous!
Whilst I realise I have only scratched the surface of that which is there to be learned, I have been given the gift of Belief, Enthusiasm and the desire to continue the journey with confidence and look forward to your cheerful guidance along the way.
I have already recommended your courses to my friends with the complete confidence that they will enjoy the whole experience as much as I did.
"
Thank you
Vince Henry
"A full on and fun course, Sea Jay and Charles make you feel very welcome and in safe hands, whilst allowing you to gain experience and confidence in all conditions. The
Day Skipper course has wetted my appetite for more and I am coming back to do my Coastal Skipper
Course".
Penny Melville 2008
"Over the last winter and early spring of 2008, I completed my Basic Navigation Theory course as well as Day Skipper Practical with Sea Jays Solent sailing School. It was a very enthusiastic environment !! We worked hard and went through all aspects of sailing untill it became second nature. No time to Loiter about, but done with a good sense of humour !!
Charles is very precise and explains very clearly. Sea Jay is a lovely boat and sails beautifully.... proud to be on
her"
Yoyo Schepers 2008
"Charles...... just to say we've returned safe from Greece after a fantastic two weeks sailing!! Thanks a lot for all the stuff you taught us - was really invaluable !"
Sam Chandler 2008
"I have just completed my Day Skipper Practical with Charles. Having crewed yachts for many years and having owned my own R.I.B. I now feel confident to take charge of a sailing yacht and more importantly understand how to navigate manually and using on board electronics.
Charles is patient, very thorough and has a great sense of
humour"
Melanie Hatton 2008
"A friend recommended Charles for my Day Skipper Practical as someone I'd "get on with, was thorough and new his stuff" She was spot on in all respects.
Charles didn't just cover and focus on the key points and core material but covered all the details too, specially explaining where that small difference in approach could make all the difference under difficult conditions. During the practical course we also went over lots on the theory side whenever there was any window of opportunity or correlation to what we were doing. For hungry minds (and appetites too !) I'd strongly recommend him"
Charlie Freer 2009
"I Completed a five day Competent Crew course with Charles having had very little sailing experience.
I finished feeling very competent that all the basics required to crew a yacht had been drummed into me and had had a great time to boot.
Charles has a clear pride in yachting and you get the feeling that he is teaching you not just to get you through the course but because he wants you to enjoy sailing as much as he does.
His manner is professional but relaxed and we enjoyed ourselves in the evenings too. I would thoroughly recommend a course aboard SeaJay"
Chris Stone 2008
"Dear Charles,
Clearing paperwork I came across paper with Sea Jay's details, & realised I never wrote.
I thoroughly enjoyed my week on Sea Jay. Although I had already passed my sailing exams (YM), there were specific seldom used skills on which I felt rusty.
I was delighted with the way you were prepared to tailor the tuition to my specific needs, & was surprised & pleased to learn a number of new tricks. I have, for instance, been
coolly ferry gliding onto moorings ever since, which has done my reputation locally a world of good! Thank you for a wonderful week sailing in a beautiful area !!!".....
(Dr) Kay 2009
"Dear Charles,
Thank you for the excellent course. I am so pleased to have chosen your sailing school and absolutely delighted to have passed.
Sea Jay is a superb boat to train on; safe and forgiving.
You set, and expect, high standards; naturally so. When going to sea you have to be properly prepared, well trained and have great respect for the elements. Respect I had already but you gave me the right preparation and training.
I have only just started to sail properly, I love the challenge and plan to sail at every opportunity.
Thank you for giving me the best possible start.
Kind regards"....
Peter Hobby 2009
"Hi CJ
Apologies for the delay in thanking you for the other week - things have been a bit hectic on my return to my desk!! People keep asking if I
enjoyed my holiday - holiday?? It was hard work albeit great fun!
We all had a great week with you. What I appreciated most was your ability not just to teach us to pass a practical course but to give us
the tools to skipper a boat properly ourselves. I am reminded of my old driving instructor (a few years ago now!) who said "Right I've taught
you how to pass the driving test, now I'm going to teach you how to drive!" and that's what I took away from the course. And that last sail
into Lymington through the moorings ........ fantastic, but I'll not try that for a while!!
Thanks again and perhaps we can sail with you again in your next boat!"....
Chris 2009
"Hi Charles,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to thank you for a great course but things have been a bit manic. I've managed to get a couple of sailing trips in since the
Day Skipper course and used many of the techniques we learned on the course to good effect.
Although the weather during the course was a bit choppy the experience meant I was able to sail confidently in a F6 against tide on the way back to my mooring in Emsworth- Something I would not have done before hand.
Hope its all going well. Cheers"
Marinko 2009
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