OFFSHORE
The RNSA Air branch owns 1 yacht "Swordfish" which is based in the Solent. All information about the yacht including photos, availability diary and contact details
are under charter yachts tab.
Gosport-based RNSA(Air) Yacht – ‘Swordfish’
Swordfish is a starlight(Starlight 35) based in Gosport. Swordfish,
now two years old, has proved to be most popular, boasting an impressive cruising
inventory and comfortable accommodation for up to seven people.
The base in
Haslar Marina is just 5 minutes from the open sea and is ideally suited for
trips to the western Solent ports of Lymington and Yarmouth, as well as Chichester
and Langstone in the east. The stunning area of the Solent offers many places to
explore and is an ideal destination for a family holiday. There is an abundance
of activities such as museums, theatres, cinemas, and the shopping areas within
the main towns of Portsmouth and Cowes. However, there are more hidden places
such as the Folly River, Lymington and the Beaulieu River that offer unspoilt
scenery and a chance to escape the modern world.
CULDROSE SAILING CENTRE, FALMOUTH
The aim of the Culdrose Sailing Centre is to encourage as many people as possible
to get out on the water to explore the Fal Estuary and Helford River and to enjoy
the spectacular Cornish coastline, whether new to sailing and power boating or an old hand.
There is a very healthy dinghy sailing community with regular handicap racing using the
centre’s Bosuns and Laser 2000s. Thursday night racing runs from Easter to the end of
October, the winter series follows with racing on Saturday mornings from the start of November until Christmas.
A Children’s club, for service people’s dependants between the ages of 8 and 16, using Laser
Picos runs once a year for an 8-week course over June and July.
Training available includes RYA powerboat, dinghy sailing level 2 and RYA advanced
dinghy courses. Interest is always very strong and courses booking up rapidly.
RNAS Culdrose have a Trusty 21 powerboat that is a sea worthy family day boat.
It is a Culdrose asset, solely for the use of Service people and their dependants,
and can booked through the Culdrose sailing centre.
Contact Details: RNAS Culdrose Sailing Centre, Grove Place, Falmouth, TR11 4AU Tel (01326) 312364 Internal #6152
RNAS YEOVILTON SAILING CLUB
RNAS Yeovilton’s sailing club has 2 main sailing areas, Sutton Bingham
reservoir which is approximately 15 min drive south of the camp, and
Castle Cove sailing club located in Weymouth bay.
What’s on?
Sutton Bingham. Wednesday to Friday there is 1 Bosun and 2 Picos available for Yeovilton sailing club members,
and booking can be organised through the Yeovilton Bosun. In addition, sail training takes place on Thursday
afternoons and racing takes place on Thursday evenings. At weekends the Bosun is available for club members use.
Castle Cove, Weymouth. There are 5 boats in total available to club memebers, an RS400,
RS200 soon to be replaced by a Laser 2000, a Pico, Laser and a Bosun. Racing for novice helms
takes place on Monday nights, both dinghy and yacht racing takes place on Wednesday nights and
there is weekend racing too.
The recent introduction of a safety boat RIB to the club’s inventory
will allow less experienced sailors to enjoy midweek sailing in Portland
Harbour under the supervision of club instructors. The club has a senior instructor,
powerboat instructor and 4 additional instructors available for tuition.
Interested? If you are interested in club membership and the use of these great facilities,
please contact the Yeovilton Sailing Officer.
DINGHY EVENTS - INTER-COMMAND & NAC REGATTA
The Naval Air Command have an exciting annual racing programme including the Holt Cup,
Robertshaw Cup and the Claude Barry. You do not have to be an experienced sailor to get involved,
the team is more than happy to bring you sailing skills along, or start from scratch if necessary.
The highlight of the season is the NAC Regatta, held at Culdrose
Sailing Centre in the height of the summer. A fleet racing event, the Regatta
is now established as an event that takes out only 2 days in total. Crews can now
travel to Falmouth during a weekday morning, begin racing at midday(ish), enjoy a BBQ/beers
in the evening before completing the regatta series the next morning and departing just after
lunch. The new format still manages to cram in a day’s worth of racing with a strong emphasis
on meeting up with fellow Fleet Air Arm dinghy sailors and shooting the breeze over a few beers in the evening!
Future events are always posted on the events calendar, team selection is organised by the
Dinghy Team Selector. Always looking for new crews and talent, please get in touch to
register your interest.