Core Info

Mick started working at sea from the age of 16 for 25 years as a seaman with the Royal Navy. During that time, he gained a huge respect for the sea and never underestimated its power.

It was through the Navy that Mick was introduced to sailing and quickly realised a love for the sport which he still enjoys.

Mick has been a freelance Sailing Instructor since around 2010. He admits that he still gets a sense of enjoyment from getting a yacht safely from A to B, from his students/crew having fun whilst learning during the many passages he has skippered.

Mick is a RYA Instructor and Commercially Endorsed Yacht Master.

Tim has been yacht sailing since he was a teenager, firstly as part of a racing crew for his friends at a local sailing club. He has been a Yachtmaster Offshore for many years and has spent many miles delivering yachts around the UK and across the Channel.

He became an RYA instructor some fifteen years ago and has also run his own sea school, which he gave up when he purchased a part of maritime history, in the guise of ‘Our Daddy’ a Looe-built fishing boat.

Tim has been the Chief Instructor at Devon Sailing Experiences since we became an RYA training centre. In addition to working with Nick and Katie, he also trains the officer cadets at Royal Navy Brittania, Dartmouth.

Tim has a huge passion for sailing and helping people achieve their goals and dreams aboard yachts and his enthusiasm is infectious. He also has a passion for great food.

Tim is a Chief Instructor, RYA Instructor and Commercially Endorsed Yacht Master.

Before we release a yacht to you for a bareboat charter, you will be required to sign our Bareboat Charter Agreement. In this blog post, you will find the terms and conditions in the agreement. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

1. Charter and Payment
1.1 The Operator shall let on bareboat charter and the Charterer shall hire the Vessel for the Charter Period for the Charter Fee.

1.2 The Advance Payment is paid by way of a deposit to secure the Vessel for the Charter Period and shall be paid to the Operator on the signing of this Agreement. On payment by the Charterer of the Advance Fee, the Operator agrees not to enter into any other agreement for the charter of the Vessel for the same period. The Balance Payment and the Security Deposit shall be paid to the Operator no later than the date stipulated herein. All monies payable hereunder are deemed due on the date hereof.

2. Security Deposit
2.1 The Operator may retain and apply the Security Deposit in part or in full to cover any liability of the Charterer to the Operator.

2.2 Such retention shall not prejudice the right of the Operator to recover any unsatisfied balance of such liability from the Charterer.

2.3 Subject to the preceding clauses of this section, the Security Deposit or any balance remaining shall be returned to the Charterer within 14 days after the Redelivery or, in the event of a dispute, upon the determination of such dispute.

3. Operator’s Obligations
3.1 Subject to the provisions of clause 3.3, the Operator shall at the beginning of the Charter Period deliver the Vessel to the Charterer, or his representative, in good and seaworthy condition in compliance with the MCA’s Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Commercial Motor or Sailing Vessels. Or, where handover takes place elsewhere than in the UK, its equivalent, approved by the appropriate authority in the country of handover and with the minimum equipment requirements of the Marine Leisure Association (MLA) (if and as applicable). At a time convenient to the Charterer and for a reasonable duration, the Charterer may inspect the Vessel before the start of the Charter Period in the company of a representative of the Operator.

3.2 Subject to the provisions of clause 3.3 the Operator will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver the Vessel to the Charterer in the aforesaid condition at the agreed time and place but in default, whether as a result of a breach of 3.1 or otherwise, its liability shall be limited to a pro rata return of the Charter Fee for each period of 12 hours for which delivery is delayed. If such delay exceeds 25% of the Charter Period, the Charterer shall be at liberty to treat the Charter as cancelled. The Operator shall thereupon return all sums paid but shall have no further liability to the Charterer in respect of the curtailment or cancellation of the Charter including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing liability in respect of consequential or economic loss or loss of use or enjoyment.

3.3 The Operator will not be liable under clauses 3.1 or 3.2 if such failure is as a result of an event, circumstance or cause beyond its reasonable control (“a Relevant Event”). If The Operator asserts that a Relevant Event has prohibited it from performing any of its obligations then it shall notify the Charterer as soon as reasonably practicable and take reasonable steps to minimize the effect of the Relevant Event. Where delivery is delayed otherwise than by a Relevant Event the Operator’s maximum liability, in addition to the return of all sums paid, shall be limited to an amount equal to 50% of the Charter Fee.

4. Insurance and Liabilities
4.1 The Vessel and her equipment shall be insured on the terms of the Institute Yacht Clauses or on
comparable terms for her full value with third-party damage cover of no less than £2,000,000 subject to a policy deductible no greater than the Security Deposit.

4.2 The Charterer shall indemnify the Operator in respect of any loss or damage to the Vessel or her equipment or any other expense or liability arising out of any act or omission of the Charterer, his servants or agents or any member of his party which is not for any reason covered by the Vessel’s insurance.

4.3 The Operator shall have no liability for death or personal injury suffered by the Charterer, his servants, agents or any member of his party unless caused by its negligence or wilful default.

4.4 The Charterer shall neither take the Vessel outside the cruising limits nor do any other act which may vitiate the Vessel’s insurance or prejudice the Operator’s right to claim thereunder.

4.5 In the event of damage to or failure of the Vessel or any incident involving a third party, the Charterer shall at the earliest opportunity (and in any case within 12 hours) report such occurrence to the Operator or its local agent and shall comply with any reasonable instructions given.

4.6 In the event of major damage to the Vessel during the Charter Period involving a claim on the Vessel’s insurance or in the event of a breakdown of gear or machinery rendering the Vessel unseaworthy and/or unusable, a pro-rata credit will be made for the period during which the Vessel was unseaworthy or unusable provided that neither the Charterer nor any member of his party caused or contributed to the damage or breakdown and provided also that the Operator shall not be liable to the Charterer for any other compensation in respect of damage or breakdown whether in respect of consequential or financial loss or otherwise, save where damage or breakdown is caused by the negligence of the Operator and results in death or personal injury.

5. Charterer’s Obligations
5.1 The Charterer will restrict the navigation of the Vessel to the Cruising Limits and to those areas within the Cruising Limits in which the Vessel (i) is legally entitled to be navigated and (ii) can be safely navigated by the Crew in the prevailing conditions.

5.2 If the Charterer fails to accept delivery of the Vessel within 24 hours of the start of the Charter Period and has not by then notified the Operator of his intention to accept delivery later during the Charter Period, the Operator may treat this Agreement as terminated without prejudice to its rights to recover any unpaid portion of the Charter Fee.

5.3 The Charterer warrants that they and the Crew have the experience and competence described on the Operator’s Booking Request Form and that they are capable of safely handling the Vessel.

5.4 The Charterer shall pay all running expenses during the Charter Period and to the extent that on redelivery any consumables have not been restored to their handover levels, the Charterer shall be liable to the Operator for the cost thereof.

5.5 The Charterer shall not sub-charter or part with control of the Vessel without the prior written consent of the Operator.

5.6 The Charterer shall take care of and assume full responsibility for the safety and maintenance of the Vessel and its equipment at all times including when unattended. When the Charterer leaves the Vessel unattended, the Charterer shall remain fully responsible therefor and should take all reasonable precautions to secure the Vessel and the equipment and gear on board.

5.7 The Charterer shall not allow the Vessel to dry out or be stranded and shall ensure that the Vessel is moored only at a secure and well maintained mooring point. The Charterer shall not anchor the Vessel in a place where anchoring is restricted or that is not suitable for anchoring such a vessel.

5.8 The Charterer shall neither use the Vessel for any purpose other than private pleasure cruising for himself, his crew and guests nor race the Vessel without the prior written consent of the Operator.

5.9 The Charterer shall limit the number of persons in the party to not more than the number of berths on the Vessel, except by prior agreement with the Operator, such agreement to be contingent on the Charterer’s party not exceeding the number of places on the Vessel licensed by the appropriate authority.

5.10 The Charterer shall observe all applicable rules, regulations and laws whether of customs, harbour or other authorities or otherwise.

5.11 The Charterer shall not allow any animals on board the Vessel without the prior written consent of the Operator.

5.12 The Charterer shall provide the Operator with the full names ages and permanent addresses of all members of the crew and his guests as soon as reasonably possible and in any event not later than one week before the start of the Charter period, and shall not allow any third parties on board without the prior written consent of the Operator, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.

5.13 The Charterer will not use the Vessel for a stag or hen group, nor for a school party or youth group nor for any commercial purpose without the Operator’s prior written consent. The Operator may withhold its consent in its absolute discretion.

5.14 The Charterer will not permit the Vessel to be navigated in any way while anyone on board is, or appears to be, under the influence of alcohol or prohibited substances.

5.15 The Charterer shall not do or permit any act or omission which may result in the seizure, arrest or distraint of the Vessel.

5.16 In the event of accident to or breakdown of the Vessel the Charterer shall obtain the name of any other vessel involved and the names and addresses of the people on board that vessel, take photographs of the vessels involved and of any damage that has occurred and contact the Operator or its appointed agent immediately and proceed in accordance with the Operator’s reasonable instructions.

5.17 If the Vessel breaks down at sea the Charterer shall act as a prudent uninsured and shall use best endeavours to contact the Operator for guidance and shall not permit the Vessel to be towed or take any other action that could lead to a claim for salvage unless advised to do by rescue or coastguard authorities.

5.18 The Charterer shall redeliver the Vessel to the Operator at the Port of Redelivery or at such other place as may be agreed between the parties at the end of the Charter Period cleaned, refuelled, in no worse condition as on delivery (fair wear and tear excepted) and with her inventory complete. If the Charterer fails so to redeliver the Vessel, he shall be liable for twice the pro rata Charter Fee for every day or part of a day by which redelivery is delayed unless such delay is caused by the operation of an insured peril or circumstances which are proven to be beyond the Charterer’s reasonable control.

5.19 The Charterer will get an accurate forecast before commencing a passage or any movement of the Vessel. If wind force 6 or above is forecast within the passage period the Vessel must remain in port, this includes moving the Vessel to another location within the port / marina UNLESS it is done so to protect the Vessel and Charterer. IF the charterer cannot obtain a forecast they must remain at their current location until a forecast can be acquired.

5.20 The Charterer’s obligations under this Agreement shall continue until redelivery.

6. Notice of withdrawal
6.1 Where the Charterer is not a Consumer, then if the Charterer gives notice of cancellation of this Agreement at any time on or before commencement of the Charter Period the Charterer will remain liable for all payments due to the Operator prior to and unpaid at the date of cancellation. Should notice of cancellation be given by the Charterer or should the Charterer fail after having been given notice to pay any amount due under this Agreement, then the Operator shall be entitled to treat this Agreement as having been repudiated by the Charterer and to retain the full amount of all payments received.

6.2 Where the Charterer is a Consumer:

6.2.1 Should the Charterer give written notice to the Operator more than ten weeks before the start of the Charter Period of its withdrawal from the Charter, no liability for any outstanding portion of the Charter Fee will remain (and if it and/or the Security Deposit have already been paid, it and/or they shall be refunded) but the Advance Payment shall be forfeit, save that half the Advance Payment will be refunded if the Operator re-charters the Vessel for the Charter Period for no less than the Charter Fee. In such circumstances the Operator shall use all reasonable endeavours to re-charter the Vessel.

6.2.2 Should the Charterer give written notice to the Operator within ten weeks of the start of the Charter Period of its withdrawal from the Charter the Charterer shall remain liable for all payments due to the Operator prior to and unpaid at the date of the cancellation, save for in the circumstances envisaged in Clause 6.3.

6.2.3 If prior to the commencement of the Charter Period the Operator gives notice to the Charterer of cancellation, the Charterer shall be entitled to repayment without interest of all sums paid by him to the Operator.

6.3 Notwithstanding the Operator’s right to receive or retain all payments referred to in Clauses 6.1 and 6.2.2 above, the Operator shall be under a duty to mitigate his loss and in the event that the Operator is able to re-charter the Vessel for all or part of the Charter Period, the Operator will give credit for the net amount of charter hire arising from the re-charter after deduction of all commissions and other consequential expenses arising from such re-charter. The intention is that the Operator shall receive the same in net proceeds from any re-charter as would have been received under this Agreement. The Operator shall use all reasonable endeavours to re-charter the Vessel and shall not unreasonably withhold his agreement to re-charter, although charters which may reasonably be considered detrimental to the Vessel, its reputation, or its schedule may be refused.

6.4 If prior to the date of cancellation the Vessel has taken on provisions for the Charter, then the Charterer shall reimburse these expenses unless all or part can either be refunded by the supplier or transferred to the next charter, in which case such expenses shall be adjusted accordingly. The Operator shall be under a duty to mitigate these expenses where possible.

7. General
7.1 References in this Agreement to a “Consumer” means any Charterer who is a natural person and is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business or profession.

7.2 Prior to handover the Operator may require a sea trial of up to one hour’s duration and if the Operator is not reasonably satisfied as to the ability of the Charterer and his party to handle the Vessel safely it may terminate this Agreement as if the Charterer had given written notice of withdrawal at this time and the provisions of Clause 6.2.2 shall apply.

7.3 The Operator shall have the right to restrict the Cruising Limits in the light of the experience of the Charterer and members of his party, and/or the actual or anticipated weather conditions.

7.4 Save as otherwise provided in the terms of business of the Operator, and subject to the statutory rights of the Charterer if contracting as a Consumer, the provisions of this Agreement shall exhaustively and exclusively govern the rights and obligations of the parties.

7.5 This Agreement is subject to English law. In the event of a dispute arising under this Agreement, the parties agree to use reasonable endeavours to resolve such a dispute by negotiation and, if such negotiation fails, to consider referring the dispute to alternative dispute resolution under the dispute resolution procedures adopted from time to time by the British Marine Federation. Save as aforesaid, in the case of a Charterer contracting otherwise than as a Consumer, any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales; in the case of a Charterer contracting as a Consumer, any dispute shall be submitted to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.

7.6 If any provision of this Agreement is held by any court or other competent authority to be void or unenforceable in whole or part, this Agreement shall continue to be valid as to the other provisions thereof and the remainder of the affected provision.

THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE that they have read and understood the terms and conditions above and have caused this Agreement to be duly executed the day and year first above written.

Welcome to our latest newsletter, where we review the outgoing 2023 sailing season for Devon Sailing Experiences and fill you in about our plans for 2024. We want to let you know that although we are feeling the pinch due to increased costs, we have not increased our prices.

Sailing Gift Vouchers – the Perfect Christmas Gift

Gift vouchers for sailing experiences are available to purchase from our website. Valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, they make ideal presents for Christmas and special occasions. As the dark evenings draw in, we could all do with something to look forward to. With a sailing gift voucher, not only do you get the excitement of opening your Christmas gift on the day, but the added bonus of choosing a future date to join us on the water in the Spring/Summer of 2024.

If you are in possession of a gift voucher, we recommend visiting our sailing schedule to book a date as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as our day and weekend sails get booked up quickly, particularly during the summer months.

What is planned for the 2024 season?

Our 2024 sailing schedule is up and running. You can read a little more about all of our sailing opportunities, who they are suitable for and what is included by following the links to our website.

Day Sails and Weekend Sails for 2024 are now available for your to book on our website.

Exclusive charters are scheduled on demand and are ideal for special occasions such as birthdays or meeting up with friends that you haven’t seen for a long time. They are also a great way to introduce your family to the water. For more information please get in touch.

RYA courses are scheduled throughout the year. We will continue to schedule them on-demand, so if you can’t see a suitable date on our sailing schedule, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to organise a date for you (subject to availability).

Bareboat charter bookings are now being taken for 2024. A 20% deposit will secure your date with the balance due 4 weeks before you sail. Take a look at our Bareboat Charter page and then get in touch to confirm availability.

Was your booking postponed in 2023?

We sail in all weather EXCEPT when high winds make it dangerous. When this happens, we may need to postpone your booking to keep you and our boats safe. If your booking was postponed in 2023, please make sure you give yourself plenty of time to re-book your date this year.

Follow us on Social Media

Keep up to date with last-minute availability and stories from our skippers and guests by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to tag us in any of your own posts; we love to hear about your sailing adventures so if you have any photos you would like to share (or stories to tell) please get in touch.

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2023 where you will find information about availability for our upcoming season.

What is scheduled for 2023?

ICC Assessment Day

Saturday 1st April 2023

Are you chartering abroad this year? If so, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to check your sailing paperwork is up-to-date. You are likely to need an International Certificate of Competence (ICC). If you have RYA Day Skipper, you can apply directly to the RYA who will provide the certificate for you. If you are an experienced sailor BUT DO NOT have RYA Day Skipper, you may need to take the ICC Assessment before you charter aboard. We have 1 place remaining on our ICC Assessment day on Saturday 1st April. Your instructor will assess you against a list of competencies, and provide you with the documents to evidence your ability. You may then send the paperwork to the RYA who will issue your ICC certificate.

5-day West Country Sailing Experience Monday 15th May – Friday 19th May 2023

Our 5-day west country sailing experience is a group sailing experience which is ideal for people who have sailed before but don’t necessarily have the experience (or a willing crew) to skipper the trip. We currently have 3 places remaining aboard this trip. Guests have their own double cabin aboard our 42’ Jeanneau (no cabin-sharing unless you book with a partner) with bedding provided. Breakfast and lunch taken aboard the yacht are included. Your overnight destinations will allow you to eat out in the evenings whilst you take your time to explore the beautiful ports along the south west coast. Potential destinations include, Salcombe, Fowey, Falmouth, Newton Ferrers, Dartmouth and Brixham. If you would like to find out more or book your place with a 20% deposit, follow the link above.

Channel Islands Cruise (Group Sailing Experience)

Monday 24th July – Sunday 30th July 2023

We currently have a double cabin remaining on our 7-day sailing experience to the Channel Islands. This type of sailing experience is called a “group sail”  which is ideal for people who have sailed before but don’t necessarily have the experience (or a willing crew) to skipper the trip. Bedding is provided. The price includes breakfast and lunch taken aboard the yacht, skipper fees and mooring fees. Your overnight destinations will allow you to eat out in the evenings whilst you take your time to explore the Channel Islands at your leisure. If you would like to find out more or book your place with a 20% deposit, follow the link above.

Weekend and Day Sails

Various dates

Weekend sails and day sails continue to be our most popular sailing experiences that are suitable for all levels of sailors. Whilst they offer a good introduction to sailing, they are also useful to help build miles and develop skills. Places are starting to get booked up, so please take a look at our sailing schedule, choose a date and book yourself aboard.

RYA Courses (Competent Crew and Day Skipper)

Various dates

We have some places remaining on our RYA Competent Crew and RYA Day Skipper (Practical) courses this year. Please take a look at our sailing schedule, and choose a date to book yourself aboard. If you can’t see a suitable date, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to organise a convenient one for you (subject to availability).

Our standard RYA courses are suitable for those aged 18 and above. If you are looking to book as a family with under 18s, please refer to our RYA Training for the Family and get in touch to schedule a date that works for you.

Exclusive Sailing Experiences

Scheduled on demand

So far this year, bookings for exclusive sailing experiences have proven popular. These types of sailing experience offer a wonderful way to introduce your family to the water. They are also ideal for special occasions such as birthdays or meeting up with friends that you haven’t seen for some time. We offer single-day and multi-day exclusive charters. You can read more about it by following the link (above) to our website. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements before booking.

Thinking about a bareboat charter for 2023?

We are now taking bookings and still have some availability for bareboat charters in 2023. A 20% deposit will secure your date with the balance due 4 weeks before you sail. Follow this link to our Bareboat Charter page and then get in touch to confirm availability.

Terms and Conditions

By booking with Devon Sailing Experiences, you are accepting our terms and conditions. Please ensure you have read these before booking. We politely draw your attention to the paragraph regarding cancellation and rescheduling and recommend you take out insurance in case of cancellation outside our terms and conditions. Please ensure you have adequate insurance cover in the case of YOUR cancellation due to YOUR personal circumstances (for example, illness or hospital appointments).

If you are unsure about any aspect, please feel free to ask before you book.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Keep up to date with last-minute availability and stories from our skippers and guests by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to tag us in any of your own posts; we love to hear about your sailing adventures so if you have any photos you would like to share (or stories to tell) do get in touch.

We look forward to welcoming you to Devon soon.

Nick, Katie and the Devon Sailing Experiences team.

A huge shout out to say well done and thank you to Charlie Musgrove, one of our RYA Instructors, who carried out a real-life rescue with his Day Skipper and Competent Crew students last week.

On the morning of Wednesday 31st August, Charlie and his crew (a family of 2 adults and 2 teenagers who were working towards their RYA certificates) left Port Pendennis Marina. Making the decision to put 1 reef in the main to help deal with the lumpy sea state, they headed for a day out on the water. Whilst heading out, one of the family members spotted a small rubber tender that appeared to be struggling to row from St Mawes back to Mylor against the tide and increasing sea state.

Slightly concerned, the decision was made to change course to check everything was OK. It soon became apparent that they were in a spot of bother when the teenagers pointed out that the couple aboard the tender was trying to get the crew’s attention.

With a confident student on the helm, Charlie made contact with the couple in difficulty, who explained that they had engine failure and would be grateful for some assistance.

The family of RYA students sprang into action. They dropped the main sail and with the initial plan to tow the couple, it was later decided that it would be better to safely get them aboard our 42′ yacht, Bewitched. After dropping the transom, the crew worked well together transferring the couple with ease.

The couple were extremely thankful when they were dropped off at Mylor Marina, and contacted Devon Sailing Experiences to express their gratitude the next day. They said, “Please give a big thank you to Charlie for the professional way he helped us back to shore. We hope the course ended well for the family too. Such a beautiful yacht and a kind instructor who came to our aid.”

Good work, Charlie!

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2022, where we offer you a 10% discount on our RYA Day Skipper theory course, fill you in about our plans for the year (it’s going to be a busy one!) and introduce you to our skippers.

10% OFF RYA Day Skipper (theory)

Devon Sailing Experiences will be running a one-off RYA Day Skipper (Theory) course from Wednesday 13th April until Sunday 17th April 2022. We would like to offer our subscribers 10% OFF. Normally priced at £525 per person, you will get it at a reduced rate by entering the coupon code RYA-DISC10 at the checkout.

5 places are currently remaining, so hurry and book your theory course today. We have no plans to schedule any other theory courses this year.

What is happening in 2022?

Our sailing calendar is filling up fast which is great news for us in 2022. Lots of events/sailing opportunities are scheduled on-demand, so if you can’t see dates or events on our sailing schedule that work for you, it is always worth getting in touch to ask – we will always do our very best to help.

In the meantime, we have availability for the sailing experiences listed below:

Channel Islands Cruise (Group Sailing Experience)
Monday 2nd – Sunday 8th May

We currently have 2 places remaining on our 7-day sailing experience to the Channel Islands. Our group sailing experiences are ideal for people who have sailed before but don’t necessarily have the experience (or a willing crew) to skipper the trip. Guests have their own double cabin aboard our 42’ Jeanneau (no cabin-sharing unless you choose to) with bedding provided. Breakfast and lunch taken aboard the yacht are included. Your overnight destinations will allow you to eat out in the evenings whilst you take your time to explore the Channel Islands at your leisure. If you would like to find out more or book your place with a 20% deposit, follow the link above.

Isles of Scilly Cruise (Group Sailing Experience)
Monday 16th – Sunday 22nd May

This sailing experience is now fully booked, however, we can schedule more dates on demand. If it is something you would like to do in the future, follow this link to find out more. We will happily discuss potential dates with you.

Weekend and Day Sails
Various dates

Weekend sails and day sails are our most popular sailing experiences that are suitable for all levels of sailors. Whilst they offer a good introduction to sailing, they are useful to help build miles and develop skills. Due to the beauty of the southwest coast, our weekend sails are often used as mini-breaks to allow guests to explore fabulous close-by locations such as Salcombe, Fowey and Noss Mayo. Please visit our website to book yourself aboard.

Exclusive Sailing
Scheduled on demand

Our exclusive sailing experiences offer a wonderful way to introduce your family to the water. They are also ideal for special occasions such as birthdays, marriage proposals (yes – that has happened – you can read about it here) or meeting up with friends that you haven’t seen for some time. We offer single-day and multi-day exclusive charters. You can read more about it by following the link (above) to our website.

RYA Courses (Competent Crew and Day Skipper)
Various dates

We will continue to schedule RYA courses for our past guests on-demand, so if you can’t see a suitable date on our sailing schedule, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will schedule one for you (subject to availability).

Bareboat Charter
Limited availability remaining in May, June and July

April 2022 is fully booked. We currently have limited availability in May, June and July. However, August, September and October currently have plenty of availability, so please get in touch to book. A 20% deposit will secure your date with the balance due 4 weeks before you sail.

Meet our skippers

We would like to introduce you to our skippers and instructors for 2022 (in case you haven’t already had the pleasure of meeting them). You will be able to read about their sailing experience later this year in our “Meet the Skipper” blog posts – we will let you know when they are available so watch this space!

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Terms and Conditions

By booking with Devon Sailing Experiences, you are accepting our terms and conditions. Please ensure you have read these before booking. We politely draw your attention to the paragraph regarding cancellation and rescheduling and recommend you take out insurance in case of cancellation outside our terms and conditions.

If you are unsure about any aspect, please feel free to ask before you book.

Covid-19

Let’s all keep our fingers crossed that 2022 will see a little more normality for us. However, we need to stay vigilant and have plans in place in case of another surge in the virus. If your sailing experience or bareboat charter cannot run due to a national or local lockdown/restriction, we will offer you 12 months to reschedule your booking. If you are unable to reschedule, we will offer you a refund of the money you have paid to us.

Please ensure you have adequate insurance cover in the case of YOUR cancellation due to YOUR personal circumstances (for example, a positive Covid-19 test or your own requirements to self-isolate). Before booking a sailing experience or course, you are welcome to take a look at our latest risk assessment. Please be aware that Devon Sailing Experiences recommend that you take a Covid-19 test before joining the yacht, but is not responsible for checking that all guests have done so.

For further details, please refer to the dedicated Covid-19 page on our website.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Keep up to date with last-minute availability and stories from our skippers and guests by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to tag us in any of your own posts; we love to hear about your sailing adventures so if you have any photos you would like to share (or stories to tell) do get in touch.

We look forward to welcoming you to Devon soon.

Nick, Katie and the Devon Sailing Experiences team.

This newsletter marks the end of a long and busy season for Devon Sailing Experiences. We would like to extend our thanks to our wonderful guests over the last 12 months and to our fantastic skippers who made all our sailing experiences and RYA courses happen.

In this newsletter, you will find links to our sailing gift vouchers (ideal for Christmas presents), our sailing schedule and details about our sailing opportunities in 2022.

Sailing Gift Vouchers

With Christmas just around the corner, now seems like the ideal opportunity to remind you about our gift vouchers.

Gift vouchers for sailing experiences make ideal presents for friends, family and loved ones – read the reason why in our blog post The perfect gift for the imperfect year to see if you agree. Although this particular blog post was written for 2021, it is still very relevant as we look towards 2022.

Gift vouchers for day sails and weekend sails can be purchased direct from our website. They are valid for 12 months so the recipient needs to book within 12 months, not necessarily complete the experience within 12 months. Our sailing season is from April – October. Fewer dates are available on our sailing schedule from September onwards due to the seasonal change in weather and sailing conditions.

If you would like to receive your gift voucher in time for Christmas, please order by midnight on Sunday 19th December.

Sailing Schedule for 2022

Dates are now available on our sailing schedule for 2022. You can book your place aboard day sails, weekend sails and gift vouchers directly from our website. Our sailing season is from April – October. Fewer dates are available on our sailing schedule from September onwards due to the seasonal change in weather and sailing conditions.
We are constantly updating the schedule throughout the year, so it is always worth checking back for additional dates. If you cannot see a suitable date, please contact us and we will do our very best to help you. 

Sailing Experience Opportunities for 2022

In 2022, we continue to offer our popular sailing experiences aboard our 42’ sailing yacht, Bewitched  Follow the links to read more about them on our website.

Day Sails
Our day sail experiences from Plymouth are a great option for people who want to give sailing a try, or perhaps just want a fun and hands-on day out on the water. Suitable for age 16 years + (with no maximum age limit!) Gift vouchers are available.

Weekend SailsAnother great option for those who are new to sailing or would like to refresh their previously learned skills under the watchful eye of an experienced skipper. Suitable for age 16 years + (with no maximum age limit!) Gift vouchers are available.

Exclusive Day Sails
Perfect for families to spend some time together whilst enjoying an active adventure. Regardless of sailing ability or experience, it is ideal for those who want to give sailing a try, introduce their children to sailing and have a fun day out on the water. Each and every member of your family is welcome to get involved as much (or as little!) as they choose. Suitable for all ages. Dates are scheduled on demand.

Exclusive Family Charters (multi-day)
Our 42′ yacht becomes your home-from-home as part of your sailing holiday in the west-country. This type of experience is a great opportunity for families to spend some time together whilst enjoying an active adventure. Price stated on the website is based on a family of 4. If you have more than 4 people in your family, the price is the same but your skipper will need to return to Plymouth every evening so they can leave the yacht safely in King Point Marina. Dates are scheduled on demand.

Group Sailing Experiences
Want to go sailing but don’t have a crew? Join one of our west-country group sailing experiences. Take a look at our website for information about how we run our 5-day and 7-day sailing experiences. Dates are scheduled on demand and will run with a minimum of 3 guests.

RYA Courses for 2022

Although Devon Sailing Experiences is predominantly a sailing “experience” company, we are also registered as a sailing school with the RYA where we adhere to their high standards. We currently offer the RYA courses listed below. All courses are scheduled on demand, so if you would like to discuss a date and secure it with a 20% non-refundable deposit, please get in touch.

RYA Competent Crew
This RYA Competent Crew Course is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers.

RYA Day Skipper (Practical)
This course is for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills. Please check our website for pre-course requirements.

RYA Training for the Family
Ideal for an active family. Price stated on the website is based on a family of 4. If you have more than 4 people in your group, the price is the same but your skipper will need to return to Plymouth every evening so they can leave the yacht safely in King Point Marina. Dates are scheduled on demand.

ICC Assessment
If you are planning to charter abroad next year, you are likely to need an ICC. (Please be sure to check full requirements with your holiday company.) This assessment day is for experienced sailors who do not necessarily hold official RYA qualifications, but can demonstrate skills and experience to the level of Day Skipper. Check our website for pre-assessment requirements. Dates are scheduled on demand.

RYA Day Skipper (Combined) 
Only 1 date is available for this 9 day course this year: Wednesday 13th April until Friday 22nd April 2022. During the shore-based part of this course, you will need to book your own overnight accommodation. You are welcome to board the yacht for the practical part of your sailing course from 18:00 on Sunday 17th April until 16:00 on Friday 22nd April 2022.

RYA Day Skipper (Theory/Shorebased)
Only 1 date is available for this intensive 5-day course this year: Wednesday 13th April until Sunday 17th April 2022. Overnight accommodation and meals are not included.

Bareboat Charter

We have already been taking bookings for 2022 and currently have limited availability in May 2022, but more availability from Monday 20th June 2022. Please get in touch to discuss dates and secure it with a non-refundable 20% deposit. Follow this link to our yachts and prices.

Terms and Conditions

By booking with Devon Sailing Experiences, you are accepting our Terms and Conditions. Please ensure you have read these before booking. We politely draw your attention to the paragraph regarding cancellation and rescheduling and strongly advise you to take out travel insurance to cover your cancellation outside our terms and conditions. 

In the case of another national/local lockdown due to Covid-19, we will do our very best to work with you to reschedule or refund your sailing experience. Please refer to the dedicated Covid-19 page on our website.
If you are unsure about any aspect, please feel free to ask.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Keep up to date with last-minute availability and stories from our skippers and guests by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to tag us in any of your own posts; we love to hear about your sailing adventures so if you have any photos you would like to share (or stories to tell) do get in touch.

Wishing you all the very best and looking forward to seeing you in 2022!

In line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), our Privacy Policy is detailed below. It was updated in January 2021.

Section 1. Your Consent to this Privacy Policy
Section 2. Information about you
Section 3. How we use your information
Section 4. How we store your information
Section 5. How we may share your information
Section 6. Passwords and PIN numbers
Section 7. Your Rights
Section 8. Access to Information
Section 9. Changes
Section 10. Contact

1. YOUR CONSENT TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
If you undertake any of the following activities and provide personal data to us we will endeavour to make it clear why we need it and to obtain your specific consent to use it. You will be treated as having consented to our use of your personal data under the terms of this Policy if you have contacted us by telephone or email with an enquiry or provided any personal details to undertake a sailing experience, bareboat charter or RYA training course.

For the purpose of the Data Protection Act 2018 (the Act), the data controller is Devon Sailing Experiences, Cedar House, 32 George Lane, Plympton St Maurice, Devon, PL7 2JJ.

2. INFORMATION ABOUT YOU
We may collect and process the following data about you:

Information you give us.

You may give us information about you by filling in forms on our website or by corresponding with us by phone, e-mail or otherwise. This includes information you provide when you do any of the following things:-

• contact us by telephone or email with an enquiry;
• book a sailing experience;
• book a bareboat charter;
• book an RYA training course;
• subscribe to our newsletters.
• The information you give us may include
  • your name, postal address, e-mail address and phone number, personal description and photograph;
  • the name, address, email address and phone number of your next of kin and/or emergency contact;
  • details of any relevant training records and training plans;
  • details of your relevant qualifications including the results of any examination, assessment or training course provided by us or by any recognised training centre and any accompanying notes and observations regarding your performance.
  • details of your participation and performance in sporting events and competitions;
  • details of any relevant boating, yachting or other seafaring experience you may have
  • health information including details of your age, sex, height, weight and any particular health conditions or mental or physical impairments you may have
  • any relevant dietary records and details of your dietary requirements.
  • Credit card and financial information
  • DSE does not hold or store any payment information. Payments are made via an accredited payment processor (in this case, Square and Payzone).

If we have not heard from you after 5 years, we will contact you directly to check that you are happy for us to continue to store your details. If you do not agree (or if we do not hear from you) we will automatically delete all the information we hold about you.

3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
We use information held about you:

• to administer your sailing experience, bareboat charter and RYA training course bookings and payments.
• to keep you updated about our own products and services. If you do not want us to use your data in this way, you may unsubscribe at any time. Your data is not passed on to a third party.

4. HOW WE STORE YOUR INFORMATION
DSE’s electronic information is hosted by WordPress and is kept on secure servers in the UK. Information is input by the Administrator via Jetpack CRM and WooCommerce. 

Declarations signed by you and returned to DSE as part of your EXPERIENCE or RYA COURSE are kept for 7 years in a file in a secure location.

5. HOW WE MAY SHARE YOUR INFORMATION
We will not normally share your information with third parties.

We may disclose your personal information to third parties:

• in the event that we transfer, sell or buy any business or assets, in which case we may disclose your personal data to the prospective transferee, seller or buyer of such business or assets;
• if we are under a duty to disclose or share your personal data in order to comply with any legal obligation, or in order to enforce or apply any contract or terms in force between you and us; 
• to protect the rights, property, or safety of DSE, our customers, members or others. This includes exchanging information with other companies and organisations for the purposes of fraud protection and credit risk reduction.

6. PASSWORDS AND PIN NUMBERS
Where we have given you (or where you have chosen) a password or PIN number which enables you to access certain parts of the DSE website, you are responsible for keeping the password or PIN number confidential. We ask you not to share passwords and PIN numbers with anyone.

7. YOUR RIGHTS
If we retain your personal data, you have the right to ask us not to process your personal data. You can exercise this right at any time by contacting us at info@devonsailingexperiences.co.uk

Our site may, from time to time, contain links to and from the websites of our partner networks, advertisers and affiliates. If you follow a link to any of these websites, please note that these websites have their own privacy policies and that we do not accept any responsibility or liability for these policies.  Please check these policies before you submit any personal data to these websites.

8. ACCESS TO INFORMATION
The Act gives you the right to access information held about you. Your right of access can be exercised in accordance with the Act.  Any access request may be subject to a fee of £10 to meet our costs in providing you with details of the information we hold about you. You can exercise this right at any time by contacting us at info@devonsailingexperiences.co.uk.

8. CHANGES TO OUR PRIVACY POLICY
Any changes we may make to our privacy policy in the future will be posted on our website and, where appropriate, notified to you by email. Please check back frequently to see any updates or changes to our privacy policy.

9. CONTACT
Questions, comments and requests regarding this privacy policy are welcomed and should be addressed to Devon Sailing Experiences, Cedar House, 32 George Lane, Plympton St Maurice, Devon, PL7 2JJ or info@devonsailingexperiences.co.uk.