Gulf Charters Thailand |
||
| Reviewers Male / Female | Recommend Yes / No | Number of Reviews | Classes & Instruction | School Facilities | Boats & Courses | Cost | Total Average Rating |
| 15 / 1 | 15 / 1 | 16 | 9.06 | 9.01 | 8.69 | 9.13 | 8.97 |
| Date Submitted: | August 2, 2010 |
| Sailing School: | Gulf Charters Thailand |
| Location: | Sattahip, Thailand |
| Classes & Instruction: | 10 out of 10 |
| School Facilities: | 9 out of 10 |
| Boats & Courses: | 9 out of 10 |
| Cost: | 10 out of 10 |
| Recommend: | Yes |
| Review: | A Positive Mental Attitude I took my flotilla skipper, bareboat skipper and vhf all together. I have been working at sea for over 25 years. Man and boy so to speak. I elected to get as much done as possible. at the time Gulf Charters were just starting out. their enthusiasm, commitment to students, understanding and ability to impart the experience of the ages are a tribute to the professionalism with which they regard what they are working to achieve. so many establishments around the world pursue the sausage machine approach. suck em in, churn them through and take the money. Gulf Charters and its dedicated staff demonstrated the patience of joab since they believed that it was in their interest that their students were the best. A pleasure to recommend them. as a result of their time patience and commitment i have gone on to complete my Master of Yachts S/Y Commercial 200GRT qualifications with 7 East Yachts in Antibes. the success of which is in no small part attributable to the buys at Gulf Charters. Comments [ 0 ] |
| Submitted by: | Capt. Guy Odell 49 year-old :: Male Reviewer :: Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Date Submitted: | August 1, 2010 |
| Sailing School: | Gulf Charters Thailand |
| Location: | Sattahip, Thailand |
| Classes & Instruction: | 10 out of 10 |
| School Facilities: | 10 out of 10 |
| Boats & Courses: | 9 out of 10 |
| Cost: | 9 out of 10 |
| Recommend: | Yes |
| Review: | The Why explained I am a 62 year old lifelong powerboater and budding sailor. The training at Gulf Charters helped me both with Power boating and of course sailing terminology and techniques. The two things that impressed me were (1) Everything was explained with a why, including a range of risks, proper planning and responses. (2)Learning to sail in the Gulf of Thailand was just plain cool. Gulf charters runs a professional operation and while I have not been able to take advantage of the join in cruises, they have a good network programs to build sailing time while having a very good time with like minded people. As an expat working in Singapore, I kicked myself for not having gone over much earlier. It very economical and easy to get to the school. Comments [ 0 ] |
| Submitted by: | Jim C 62 year-old :: Male Reviewer :: Boca Raton, Fl |
| Date Submitted: | July 29, 2010 |
| Sailing School: | Gulf Charters Thailand |
| Location: | Sattahip, Thailand |
| Classes & Instruction: | 8 out of 10 |
| School Facilities: | 10 out of 10 |
| Boats & Courses: | 9 out of 10 |
| Cost: | 10 out of 10 |
| Recommend: | Yes |
| Review: | Well worth travelling around the world for... I took the zero-to-hero program in March and really learned a lot. I began with some (albeit limited) experience sailing - I live far from the sea but near many fresh water lakes. Class instruction was the right amount to get us aboard and ready to really learn. Most instruction was on-board and very practical. Experience is the best teacher so they provide that experience. Class size was small so we got a lot of personal attention tailored to each of our needs. The facilities for teaching ashore are great - they use a beautiful hotel with full facilities available to the class. They include accommodation in comfortable albeit basic huts on site. I chose to stay in a nearby condo in the village where I really got to learn about the ex-pat life style in Thailand - a bonus to the course. I certainly found some of the nicer places to eat for the class. You can't beat the Gulf of Thailand for winds and weather - we got almost everything including a squall but never dead calm. I get enough of that on our lakes! Overnight anchorages are a great introduction to the cruising life style. Captain John (our afloat instructor) was a great chef too! The overnight sail on the Skipper course is an experience that any new Skipper must have. I will never forget what I learned there. The boats are large and well equipped - we used a 46' Beneteau and a 42' Jeanneau. Like any boat, there were minor flaws that served well as teaching opportunities. One had had a minor fuel leak that left a fuel smell that was bothersome (and I was in the cabin beside the engine compartment). That could have been cleared up better by the G-C maintainers, but otherwise no complaints. The instructors were extremely knowledgeable and yes, they want you to pass. Why teach if you don't? They are not professional teachers - they are professional sailors with a passion to share what they know and make sure you understand it. They willingly admit mistakes and use them as teaching points. I am a professional at teaching adults and I can see where they could use some help in instructional techniques, but they are definitely not there just to ram you through, give you a certificate and sell you more courses or charters. I felt no pressure to attend more or to buy more - in fact I'll probably be back (despite the long trip from Canada) just to sail with them. The learning has already served me well. With a friend here at home I can see that what I learned puts me in a class well ahead of most of the experienced sailors in their own yachts here on our lakes. My friend (a boat owner) is learning form me now. G-C offers a discount for chartering if you are a past student. We didn't learn that until the course was over. That's hardly a pressure sales tactic! The cost is great - I don't think you can get a better deal with more value for your money. By combining three courses together on the zero-to-hero program they keep your overall costs low. It certainly worked for me. There are no breaks between the 3 courses though and by the end of it we were all wishing we had at least one break in there somewhere. Part of the value they offer comes from being in Thailand, a fantastic place to visit. As a world traveler I'd have to rate the location itself as top notch - friendly, great food, great accommodations, low cost..., I'd go back. The political turmoil that's in the news is very localized in Bangkok and had no impact where we were (and that was during the "crisis"). The only drawback - it takes me 24 hours to get there! I highly recommend it - and I am definitely not an employee. Just a very satisfied customer and fan. Comments [ 0 ] |
| Submitted by: | James Reyes-Picknell 54 year-old :: Male Reviewer :: Barrie, Ontario, Canada |
| Date Submitted: | July 29, 2010 |
| Sailing School: | Gulf Charters Thailand |
| Location: | Sattahip, Thailand |
| Classes & Instruction: | 1 out of 10 |
| School Facilities: | 1 out of 10 |
| Boats & Courses: | 1 out of 10 |
| Cost: | 1 out of 10 |
| Recommend: | No |
| Review: | Done by employees Most reviews are done by employees. Not to be trusted. Gulf Charters sign you up, have you meet in class, and all their focus is to get you to buy their next course. The exams are designed so everyone will pass them. If you are too stupid or ignorant Gulf Charters will supply you with the answers before the exam starts. All designed for the client to buy the next level of course. These courses have little or nothing to do with seamanship. Money rules, you just happens to come with it. Comments [ 2 ] |
| Submitted by: | customer 51 year-old :: Male Reviewer :: FL |
| Date Submitted: | July 29, 2010 |
| Sailing School: | Gulf Charters Thailand |
| Location: | Sattahip, Thailand |
| Classes & Instruction: | 10 out of 10 |
| School Facilities: | 10 out of 10 |
| Boats & Courses: | 10 out of 10 |
| Cost: | 10 out of 10 |
| Recommend: | Yes |
| Review: | Zero to Hero, what an adventure! Gulf Charters look after you from morning till night, even showing you that it is not all study, but also having fun when your studying. Building of your confidence and abilities are what they are all about, their experience and knowldge transfer is one of the best I have seen and utilised. Tim and Co., keep up the good work and clear sailing. hugh Comments [ 0 ] |
| Submitted by: | hugh hendry 52 year-old :: Male Reviewer :: Dubai United Arab Emirates |
Related Sites & Information |
|