A request from Jan Gritzmann, class of 2009

A few of us from the day skipper class of 2009 have been talking about chartering boats this and in future seasons. We all have been and would like to continue to crew on club members' yachts. This experience is invaluable to us and we are grateful for the opportunity.

However, we thought it would be a different experience having to take responsibility ourselves without the safety net of a much more experienced skipper. Some of us went on to do the shore-based coastal skipper course the winter just gone. After all this theoretical training and the practical miles of experience, we are curious to put our abilities to the test.

While looking into chartering boats we noted that no arrangements exist between the LSC and charter firms to provide LSC members with preferential rates or discounts. In fact, there is no official list of recommended charter firms or referral scheme. I think, LSC members miss out significantly on their bargaining power and ability to share information – two potential advantages of every organised group of people. Of course, consequently a more developed chartering programme in the LSC would also attract new members.

I would therefore like to hear from you if you have chartered boats in the past and your experience or any recommendations you may have. Additionally, I would also be interested to hear from you if you haven’t chartered yet but would be interested in the future.

Armed with this information we should be able to go out there and negotiate some deals and put together a recommended list.

Please click here to email me or give me a call. 07986 787 987. Unfortunately, I am not able to come to club nights Tuesday evenings for a few weeks as I am working abroad Mondays to Fridays. However, if you prefer to speak in person with someone, you can speak Juliet Simpson or click here to mail her .