Customer Feed-back

West Coast of Scotland, August 2011

Thank you Eric for a superbly organised holiday. Great yacht, great food and great destinations.

The day at Staffa was especially memorable. Thank you again. Jon.

	SRC Course, June 2011
	Eric - just to let you know how much my teenage son and I enjoyed the VHF course you provided for us. We both learned a lot, and appreciated your clear explanations and true-to-life practice exercises. We're looking forward to putting all to use in the next few weeks. Having spent a reasonable amount of time trying to find such a course online, I'd have no hesitation recommending to anyone in a similar situation that they should get in touch with you. If you must have a photo, here you go! All best wishes, Peter
	Manoeuvres, March 2011
	Dear Eric, Thank you very much for organising the recent 'pontoon bumping' w/e. With just Frank and I on board we had ample boat handling opportunities and plenty of navigation practice. The lack of wind did nothing to dampen the spirits and the sailing we managed on Sunday morning was great. Thanks to you I have now had the confidence to charter a Moody 31 (complete with tiller) in Dartmouth in May as my first skippering experience. Thank you again, and hopefully I will sail again with you soon. All the Best, Maggie
	Coastal / Yachtmaster Shorebased Course, February - March 2011
	Many thanks for allowing me to join your Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Course even though you had already started the course a few weeks before I first phoned you. A particular thank you for being flexible enough to provide me with additional contact sessions to enable me to catch up with the work you had already done with the others on the course. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Nick and AJ for welcoming me to the course and to Nick for hosting the group sessions, it is very much appreciated. The course which involved 40 hours tuition plus exam time spread over several full days was certainly intensive and the homework exercises time consuming, but it was worth it. The presentations on your secure website for students were particularly helpful for revision. Next step for me is the Practical. I would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone thinking of taking this course. Your professionalism, flexibility and thoroughness were evident throughout the course and contributed to my successful result. Many thanks again, Steve Woodford.
	Manoeuvres, Feb 2011
	Hi Eric, Thanks for organizing the manoeuvres course, (pontoon bumping). This course is a must for anyone needing experience at one of the hardest parts of a sailing trip, i.e. leaving and arriving alongside. We all were given the maximum hands on time after your expert tuition and advice in each set situation which was partly driven by our specific requests as to what we wanted to practice. During the weekend you also passed on sailing advice and hints from your extensive experience and local knowledge of the Solent. I am now much more confident in organizing the boat and crew in close quarter handling in a variety of situations and approaches. Your arrangements and catering were as ever first class and I look forward to my Coastal Skipper practical in May. Anthony S

Good company and good cook found for Catamaran.

3rd Feb 2011

Hello Eric,
We arrived safely in Wells yesterday evening. The trip went well apart form the wind which was on the nose most of the time.

We covered 265nM over the ground; don't know how far through the water as my paddle wheel needs replacing.

We left Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon and arrived in Bembridge that evening, waited for the high tide to pass and then parked on the beach. When the tide had gone out we cleaned the hulls, had some sleep and left Sunday morning at 0730 heading for Brighton. Tied up in Brighton at approx 1730.

Departed Brighton at 0200 and arrived in Ramsgate at 1800. Left Ramsgate at 0530 next morning and arrived at Southwold at 1730, having actually sailed a bit across the Thames. Left Southwold at 1000 and arrived at Sea Palling at 1500 anchored behind the artificial reef. Left Sea Palling at 0900 arrived at Wells fairway bouy at 1500, then waited till 1600 for the tide to rise and we were tied up at around 1700. John was a great crew member. A competent sailor, good company and a good cook. Thanks very much for putting me in touch with him.

Regards Roger

	Early starts on Cat move to Norfolk!
	Great trip with Roger, invaluable experience, not a cruise by a long way, not often that you get the opportunity to sail around the country port by port. The weather was ok but wind direction awful all week, very cold, early starts 1.00am one day to get the distance in, we needed the recovery time in each port as there were only 3 of us. No watches - just long days with the planned evening haven of a warm pub or marina shower to look forward to and keep us going.

	A highlight for me was the sunrise at Sea Palling after a night on the anchor behind the breakwater, more like a Caribbean sunrise than the real thing! The gale forecast for the Friday meant that we had lost any opportunity for a day just 'sailing', as we needed to push on to get to Wells before the weather broke, so mostly we motored or motor sailed. Arrived in Wells Thursday late afternoon and spent the night safely on the pontoon. The crew got on famously, and although it was cold enough to make it uncomfortable hard work, we stayed on good terms all week, despite none of us ever having met before.

	Cooked some lovely food on board, and warmed our spirits with a shot of Navy rum to keep the cold out in bed. I'd go again tomorrow: thanks for the contact. Kind regards John
	West Coast of Scotland, August 2010
	Just a short note to say how much I had enjoyed the week in the Western Isles. The week was I felt, well organised and conducted. The holiday was conducive to learning, with many opportunities to actively participate, very much hands-on sailing, even if the first few days were a little damp. Throughout the week we were actively consulted over the planed routes, in particular the possible bad weather that we could have encountered had we had followed a certain course. I feel at the end of the week that I have learnt a great deal and feel more confident about my own abilities. An important fact that should not be overlooked, was the catering. While the facilities could not be compared to my own kitchen, the food that was produced was very good and plentiful. Every effort was made to consider the preferences of all on board, the final meal could not have been better, well save for a drop of the amber nectar in the meal - which would have been my choice. The vessel that was charted, "Jeanne", I found to be of a high standard, I am unfamiliar with what constitutes good or not so good, being my first time aboard. I was pleased to see that, 'make do efforts' affect all holidays, my experience of caravanning, sailing, biking, all have this element, it helps make them. At the end of the day I would certainly do it again, thanks for the experience. Kind regards Paul
	Falmouth to the Scilly Isles, July 2010
	Following a few 'set-backs' (thanks to Cornish Cruising) we set off on our week's holiday sailing to the Scilly Isles. Eric could have performed no better even if he had worn his underpants on the outside! The wind and tides were forecast against us which meant we were later leaving than originally hoped... in view of Jenny's temporary 'health-blip' (too much ginger beer perhaps?), it was a blessing we didn't carry out the suggested plan of night sailing! After spending a night in Penzance wet dock (and it was raining) the first real challenge was to clamber over several trawlers and scale the harbour wall complete with ruc-sacs containing shower gear to reach the 'shower block' ... if a taxi had suddenly appeared then and there Jenny would have jumped in with a cheery wave! Eric decided to use his time wisely and go to the local fishmonger whilst the queue for the 2 showers subsided. By the way ... ask him how to cook 'Brill' next time you see him ... we've found out since we came home! However ... the weather was absolutely wonderful once we reached the islands and we had a fascinating walk around St Agnes and later on had a meal at a bistro on St Mary's ... halcyon days indeed. Jenny found the shipping lane very exciting ... especially when one of the ships changed course just for little old us! The return journey was fabulous as the wind and tide were with us so we came back to Falmouth under sail. Thank you indeed Eric and first mate Nigel (yes, another Nigel would you believe) for getting us there and back safely...loved it! Jenny & Nigel Hargreaves July 2010
	Manoeuvres, March 2010
	Just a quick note to say 'Thank you so much again for a really great weekend.' We thought you were very patient, fair, gave clear explanations, listened to our needs, and didn't get too annoyed (I hope!) with my frustrating questions! Then to top it all off your hospitality and cooking was a dream! We were really delighted, and given we paid the final balance on our yacht last week are now super super excited about what the summer holds for us out in the Mediterranean, with your top-tips we hopefully can't go wrong! (well once I've practised the lasso technique some more that is) We'll definitely send you a postcard to let you know how we're getting on, Thanks again, Joanna & Matt
	Sea Survival Course, February 2010
	Excellent course. Everyone enjoyed it, also had a sociable evening on Friday with some of the others as well! Thanks for a well-organised event. See you soon, Mike
	All had a great day! Course very good: dunked; fire & smoke; upside down rafts; jumping off platforms --- very useful experience. Thanks from W; G; K & T
	Brilliant and absolutely paramount for anyone thinking about taking to the sea! I enjoyed every minute of it and I'm sure everyone else who went, did too. Thanks for both the opportunity and the experience. Best Regards, Tim.
	Many thanks for organising the course at Fleetwood. I found it very instructive, particularly the helicopter lift and the righting of the upturned raft. It brought home to me how short one's survival rate is in cold water, just hope I won't have to put the theory into practice! Regards Richard
	Christmas Rally, December 2009 Thanks for a smashing wk end much appreciated. Nick
	Thanks again for last weekend. I had a great time. Regards Jon
	Bank Holiday trip to Cherbourg, August 2009
	Thanks again for organising a very enjoyable trip to Cherbourg. Every trip with you is a learning curve. These longer trips are always more instructive as weather and sea conditions can vary so much and can change suddenly and one does not gain that necessary experience from short coastal voyages. It's all well and good to have the theoretical knowledge but hard experience makes one aware of one's own inadequacies and also of the experience and strengths of one's crewmates. I personally gained much from the mainsail reefing and sail and course adjustments in the windier and rougher conditions, although I was disappointed that I was not as agile on deck as I used to be! Also with John's racing and dinghy experience I gained a lot in observing and discussing his finer sail adjustments as well as his company. On a personal level your companionship, organisation and culinary expertise was much appreciated. Looking forward to sailing with you again soon. Regards Richard
	Thanks again for a most enjoyable trip & for the knowledge and experience gained. It was good to be able to put some of the theory learned at night school into practice. Hope to be able to join up with you again on one of your trips. Many thanks, Alan
	Cross the Channel Experience, June 2009
	We had a great time, on a great boat (44´ Jeanneau Sun Magic, "Armadek" ). Soton to Guernsey in one go - about 21 hrs, then Jersey, Alderney, IOW and back! Plenty of experience and challenging on your abilities - if you wanted to be! Eric is a great host and cook! Niall . . . . hope you had a good trip home - thank you for leaving ARMADEK in pristine condition! Firstaway Yacht Charters
	Manoeuvres, February 2009
	Many thanks for a wonderful weekends sailing. Thank you also for the effort you put into making the time on board worthwhile for everyone, and for your patience on several occasions! It was good for me to sail with a lovely group of people who all had more experience. Please keep me updated of any future courses or events, and I look forwards to sailing with you again. Maggie
	Scotland, August 2008
	We thoroughly enjoyed the trip even though Carol was apprehensive prior to going about the weather. It goes without saying if the Misses is happy then so am I. Jesting aside, the trip was better than I thought it would be, I was expecting some variable weather which we had a little of, but was surprised by the amount of sunshine there was when considering the weather in other parts of the UK. The wildlife we saw: porpoise, whale, basking shark, gannet and other bird species in its natural habitat was very fascinating, the highlight for us being the close up of the basking shark when it came alongside. The rugged landscape and different geological strata of the islands particularly Fingal's cave on the southern side of Staffa absolutely amazing and beautiful and well worth seeing. "Clova" the yacht was an excellent choice for the trip, well-founded and very comfortable, Eric as usual providing excellent leadership skills and catered very well for us. The "haggis" dinner was a very pleasant surprise, I can honestly say we were not looking forward to it but as it turned out we thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to having it again. Trevor
	I was pleasantly surprised at the beautiful scenery that we saw on the trip and how warm it was. The boat was extremely comfortable and spacious and had a very secure feeling about it. My highlights were going into Fingle's cave with Peter and Mark in the dinghy, and seeing the basking shark right up close. As Trevor said the Lochalsh butchers haggis was a real eyeopener, we'll be having more in the future accompanied with a tot of Tobermory malt. Carol
	Just a quick note to say thanks for a great week and a special thanks to Eric for being a great skipper and the crew for their company and banter. The weather was superb and we always seemed to have fair wind & tides too. Clova is great especially the dinghy on davits and an outboard, I liked that bit! We covered a lot of miles and saw a lot of the Western Isles as a result. My personal highlight was going into Fingle's cave; Elise particularly enjoyed walking up to the top of the uninhabited island with Clova in the anchorage below. Peter and Elise Thorne
	Ipswich to Bergen, Norway, July 2008
	Just want to say thanks again for a great trip! A good experience that many people would never hope to achieve. I know how you like to run your trips and I know given the chance there were a couple of things you wanted to try different though not always with success. I felt I have learnt a lot on this trip though and that has got to be a good thing. I shall be looking forward to the next trip. Cheers, Mark Carr
	Netherlands Course
	The trip with you was great. I think you did a great job considering I had too little theoretical knowledge. Anja Villerius
	Round the Island Race 2008

Thank you again for organising the round the island race, it was a great weekend. Cheers, Steve Smith

	Just a note to say very many thanks for a great long weekend. I enjoyed all three days and especially, of course, my first race in a yacht. Thanks for all the time you put in to the organisation for the event and for taking on the responsibility of skipper, navigator, tactician, victualler, sign writer and head chef. Everything went very well due to your skills, preparation and conscientious approach to everything. Your tactic of going wide must have paid off for us to have come 393rd overall. What a great result. It is way above what I expected we would achieve. John
	Just wanted to thank you for organising the whole event. I can only repeat the other's comments. Your considerable effort and organisation skills let alone your culinary skills and man management produced a perfect sailing weekend. I appreciate what a task it must have been. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend and learnt a lot, in particular race tactics. Both yours and John's experience was invaluable to us all. I see that the next race is organised for June 20th 2009. Please pencil me in (if you will have me) and you wish to enter another race. Once again a pleasure to sail with you. Regards RH
	Thank you very much for providing an excellent sailing experience over the weekend, the highlight being the race on the Saturday, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Sitting down on Sunday evening reading the Sunday Telegraph's report on the race I was surprised to read 11 man over board's reported, numerous retirements due to collisions and mechanical failures, even Ellen MacArthur had a failure near Hurst, it does make you realise what an excellent race we had. It was interesting to read that the big racing yachts made the run on the south side of the island early on in mist and fog, at speeds of up to 32 knots (five times faster than us, what were we doing wrong?). When you have been there it makes you realise how awesome that must be. TR
	Thanks for organising the weekend. I did enjoy the experience despite being 'missing' (with mal-de-mare) for a good portion of time. I have not given up on sailing and will be back! JH
	Regards from The Baltic
	About two years ago I arrived to UK and since that time was planning to sail. I have couple of years of experience sailing on Baltic Sea, however haven't got big experience with tides and sailing cross-channel, so decided to sail with somebody who know that waters and who can also teach me about sailing, on waters surrounded UK. I have chosen EM Sailing. Later on I realised that this decision was spotted on, according to learning British way of sailing, and get new experience from very patient, nice and absolutely experienced sailor. So if somebody from UK or even better, abroad (like me), is looking for sailing and learn how to sail, I would recommend EM Sailing as a very first choice. Very good quality of sailing, learning, organising trip and amazing opportunity to spend hollyday or just a long weekeng. Przemek - Poland, June 2008
	Selina to France
	Unforgettable sailing through the Solent with you to France. Really enjoyed this well-organised trip to my home country where food and drinks were also well chosen, bravo au chef! Would recommend to anyone especially to de-phase yourself from day-to-day routine. Again, great organisation and charming boat, thanks again. Bon vent! Tom Gere, May 2008
	Manoeuvres, February 2008
	Thanks for organising the short "weekend manoeuvres" course down in Southampton. I found it to be not only most enjoyable and comfortable, but also very educational and instructive in terms of experience gained. This was demonstrated by the way tasks were tailored to each individual crew member on board, according to their own ability, experience and willingness. As I am working towards my "day skipper practical" and have limited experience on a boat, the piloting exercises and helming in marinas were of particular value to me. Thanks once again and I look forward to joining you back on a boat hopefully soon. Brett Haywood, February 2008
	Sea Survival Course, January 2008
	The sea survival course at a centre in Fleetwood outside Blackpool that provides training for the Merchant Navy and Offshore Industry was very good indeed, and up to the usual high standard I've come to expect of any training provided or organised by EM Sailing. We started with training in the classroom, running through everything from basic equipment to emergency safety procedures. The classroom was well-equipped with examples of everything from different types of lifejackets and liferafts to used flares, so it was possible to handle everything and understand exactly how it worked, and the instructor was very patient with the very many questions we asked! Safety procedures such as when to evacuate the boat, how to use the liferaft and when to get into it were carefully explained, and we were privileged the instructor shared with us his experience of a real-life emergency when the yacht he was on was lost. We then adjourned to the pool and were shown and practised how to conserve energy and warmth in the water, "synchronised swimming" techniques whereby several people swim linked together thus ensuring that weaker people are not lost, how to right a liferaft in the water (easier than it looks) and how to get into a liferaft from the water (harder than you'd think). We also had two mock-up helicopter winches each, one from the water and one together with someone else from the liferaft, before our last exercise in a darkened, noisy, smoke-filled pool where we had to jump in, swim to and get in the liferaft and follow all the correct procedures once in there. It was surprising how disorientated one gets even within the safe confines of the centre. We then had a video with an enacted emergency which made it very clear why all the emergency guidelines should be followed. (It was explained that not all liferafts are equipped with playing cards and navy cigarettes!) We had quite a jolly stay in a local hotel, and the local beer was excellent! I feel far more confidant that I would know what to do if I am ever faced with a real survival situation at sea. Thank you again to EM Sailing for organising some first rate training. Dawn Fisher, February 2008
	Just a quick line to thank you for organizing such an interesting and informative course on Saturday. I hope I will never have to put the theory into practice but I will certainly feel a lot more confident now if I have to do so. A.B.
	....thanks again for organising the weekend course. Lets hope we never need to put it into practice. M.S., January 2008
	Thanks for organising the sea survival course. It was very worthwhile and enjoyable and I would recommend it to others. R.S. 01/08
	South-West Ireland
	What a fantastic five days off the coast of Ireland! My thanks to you for organising the outing and for your excellent tuition throughout. I still cherish the memory of performing sailing exercises surrounded by dolphins playing around the boat. I would certainly recommend EM Sailing to any aspiring sailor. Alan Russell, Oct 2007.
	Cuxhaven Mileage Builder, 2007
	Thanks for another very memorable sailing trip, my 5th sailing experience that you have been involved with and the 2nd through E M Sailing. The mileage builder from Ipswich to Cuxhaven, Germany has added a great deal to my sailing experience. The Force 9 winds that touched Force 10 at one point gave an exiting ride with a feeling of relative safety. Thanks to skipper Martyn Smith, you and the rest of the crew. And of course not forgetting ‘Ocean Scout’ the coded 49 foot Oyster ketch. Richard Blackman.
	Various trips undertaken with EM Sailing (1st Watersport)
	Electronic Navigation weekend (Solent): This weekend in January was bright and cold, nice sailing breeze and my first taste of GPS, due to my absence from navigation in a yacht for many a year! The course gave me an understanding of electronic navigation with waypoint routes along Southampton water and some very handy tips from Eric on shortcuts to plotting, which I use now (on my own boat). The sailing was excellent, the yacht first class, and Eric was a skilful and patient instructor. The whole weekend was rounded off with some hearty breakfasts, and meals onboard, this could only be deemed 4 **** full board, by all on the weekend. As EM sailing had organised this specific weekend, and this was the first trip of its kind, it was extremely successful, and money well spent, also logged about 70 miles. Mileage Builders x 2. Ipswich-Dunkirk-Ipswich, Ipswich-Cuxhaven (North Sea): Both trips organised by EM sailing, with Eric's logistical organisational skills put under scrutiny to get the crew there and back via car, bus, plane and train. He was not found wanting, even when a German train broke down! The trips were both something to tell the grandkids or “bar buddies” about, big sea, strong winds but an experience not to be missed on a superb sea boat, (Oyster 49) that took everything the North Sea could throw at us. My first taste of offshore passage making on a watch system. It was a real reality check coming on watch at midnight, in the middle of the North sea, with waves large enough to make the Oil rigs disappear from sight at the bottom of the trough, with the wind speed about 40 knots! Then just to test our watch, and Eric's ability to stay asleep and remain in his bunk, we had a F10 squall, which lifted Eric gently from his bunk, over his lee cloth and deposited him on the floor. Now awake! All crew safely arrived at our destination and swapped stories, A memorable evening in Cuxhaven was had by all, some memories a little blurred by German lager! Good crew-mates, great experience, not to be missed! Logged about 500 miles over the two trips. Real experience for a very modest cost!! Anglesey circumnavigation: A trip organised by EM sailing on a wooden gaff pilot cutter (I did ask Eric if he could find a boat for this trip). We had a beautiful sail close to the shore of Anglesey, it revealed its numerous coastal features, from sandy beach to rocky cliffs and of course the infamous Menai Straits. The boat being very atmospheric, with paraffin lamps and varnished wood reflecting the flickering light down below. Enough bits of string on deck to satisfy the saltiest of sea dogs, and a proper mainsail hanging off its gaff!! A real change from the "plastic fantastics" although I am a bit biased. Once again Eric catered for us all extremely well, and another memorable weekend was had by all. One more trip to stay in the memory bank, a rare opportunity to discover big wooden boat sailing. Excellent value. Steve Gurney
	Radar Course, 2007
	What a superb course, many thanks to Eric and EM Sailing for such superb organisation. Well worth the effort of travelling to Ocean Village Southampton for the course, the classroom sessions could have been held anywhere but to be able to go to sea on Day 2 and put into practise the classroom lessons from Day 1 was invaluable. It's not quite as easy as the book suggests but what an interesting and exciting way to develop real skills. Our class was split into two groups, one group on the helm while the other group was below decks giving navigation instructions ‘blind’ just using the radar screen and charts. We were attempting to simulate thick fog but we had the safety net of having the skipper always on hand to ensure safety of the boat and crew as we experimented. After a while we started to recognise the ‘targets’ but I still kick myself for missing that bl**dy great tanker that I thought was a headland! Many thanks once again. Michael McQuade.
	It was easy to go to night school and learn the theory but how do you get the vital sailing experience, a chance to try out the desk top exercises, a chance to see if sailing is for you? Eric got me on board a yacht for the first time, pulling sheets, taking the tiller, hoisting sails, getting wet and cold, always eating well and sleeping well. I have now sailed with Eric several times and that has led me to acquiring a share in a boat on the Hamble with all the opportunities that will give me. Eric offers a range of sailing events for all levels of skill from those wanting to sail for the 1st time, undertake recognised training courses, or to those wanting to sail in an area they have not been to before. Alistair Cook.
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