About Wild Spirit
Based at Lymington Yacht Haven Wild Spirit is a 40’ Jeanneau Sun Odyssey. She is in excellent condition and equipped with Radar, GPS plotter, Autohelm, Central Heating DSC, AIS, Spinnaker, Cruising Chute, Outboard etc. She is fully compliant with Category 2 requirements for up to 10 people and meets Royal Ocean Racing Club Standards for the Fastnet Race. In practice it is unusual to have more than 6 on a trip including the Skipper. Single people are very welcome, you may end up sharing a cabin with someone of the same sex.
She is a stable boat (STIX 38 AVS 122) and with all the equipment on board, meets Royal Ocean Racing Club requirements for Category 2 races e.g. Fastnet, Cowes to Gibraltar, Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. She is very comfortable with heating in all 4 cabins, hot water, a good size fridge and Galley. There are 2 heads (Toilets) with shower and basin with hot water. The cockpit comfortably holds all on board and the combination of twin wheels and a stern gate eases access, as do side gates in the safety rail.
Mid–week trips normally start on Sunday evening with Dinner on board or at a Restaurant near the marina. We aim to be back for lunch on Friday. This gives plenty of time to cross the channel, visit the delightful little port of St Vaast or the town of Cherbourg with its old port, shops and restaurants. Depending on weather and numbers we can normally bring back several cases of wine each and aim to have at least one good meal out (not included in price!).
As well as cruising and courses we also take part in Royal Ocean Racing Club and Junior Offshore Group races. We have several longer cruises as well including at least one a year down to the D Day beaches. All trips are of course subject to weather conditions and if it is rough we will seek more sheltered options. This is because I believe that sailing should be enjoyed not endured. (I have raced across the Atlantic in a smaller boat). Weekend and longer trips are available, the cost varies with the time of year if the schedule doesn’t fit your diary give me a call on 01823 433813 to discuss.
These trips complement but do not replace RYA courses. They are excellent for building confidence and obtaining ‘Qualifying Passages’ for skipper’s qualifications; some night sailing may also be possible. Above all we aim to have fun with everyone having a go! RYA Day Skipper, Competent Crew, and Introduction to Sailing Practical courses are through Hayling Sea School an RYA approved centre. We run one between Xmas and New Year. I am happy to talk to you about the right course for you and the options available for Theory Courses, Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster.
Prices include all on board food (much better quality than most companies) fuel and marina fees (some companies charge extra for these when you get on board). Singles, couples and families are welcome. I provide life jackets etc but you will need waterproofs (available for hire on cruises but free on courses) plus boots and deck shoes or trainers (preferably with non marking soles). You will also need a sleeping bag and warm clothing layers-fleeces and thermals are best. Please ask for advice if you’re not sure.
My overriding obligation to you is to keep you safe, this means on board my decision is final; however I will always take account of your views and do my best to run a happy ship. Your obligation is to be an active crew member who considers others on board. I expect you to take reasonable care of equipment and in the unlikely event that you drop something overboard to pay for it. Smoking is allowed only in the cockpit area and with due regard to others.
About Me
Sailing
I am a commercially endorsed RYA/MCA Ocean Yachtmaster plus RYA Cruising Instructor and a member of the Royal Ocean Racing Club Over 17 years and 45,000 miles experience including Channel, Irish Sea, Med , Hebrides, Orkneys, Shetlands.Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canaries, Biscay, Whitsundays, NZ, Atlantic Caribbean . Mainly on Yachts 30 to 51 feet, plus some Motor yachts 30 to 64 foot. Over 7000 miles of Royal Ocean Racing Club including Fastnets, Trans Atlantic and Round Britain and Ireland plus others. I hold current ISAF,VHF, +Aid and Sea Survival Certificates. Reasonably good at Cooking, Maintenance and First Aid (not all at once) Good sense of humour, easy going, tolerant non-smoker. Fit 57yr old (serious off-piste skier) with good health and stamina.
Background
I was a Director of a Government Agency. In 2003 the new Chief Executive reorganised the organisation and offered me early retirement 3 days after my 50th Birthday, I seized this opportunity and I am now a Non Executive Director in the NHS plus work occasionally for the National Clinical Assessment Service as a Lay Assessor and as a Consulting Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner. I have worked in Eastern Europe, Russia, USA, AUS, NZ and various EU States for short periods and visited more. I speak some French and a few words of several languages but can normally get what I want in most places. My only ‘Claim to Fame’ is to have been rendered unconscious by a wooden leg.
Paul Jackson
MBA DMS MCIEH MIOA MCMI FRSPH and Yachtmaster.