Gulf Charters Thailand Comments |
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| 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 |
| Accomodation: | 9 out of 10 |
| Cost & Expense: | 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. |
| Submitted by: | James Reyes-Picknell 54 year-old :: Male Reviewer :: Barrie, Ontario, Canada |
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