sunsailing.ch

(23)

After a very promising initial telephone conversation, I set off with eager anticipation for a shared mile-building trip. What can I say? Expectations exceeded. A skipper with a high sense of responsibility, focused and yet relaxed. A very well-equipped yacht in top condition made the days a pleasure. The skipper pays great attention to the right crew balance and supports you patiently and attentively (as long as you listen to him 😉).
Definitely an organiser who deserves my clear recommendation. Thank you Marcel! I hope to see you again.

Sardinia Olbia, La Maddalena to Île de Cavallo and back again. These were truly great spots, beautiful sea with wonderful colours and pleasant temperatures even in June. Wind wasn't always there unfortunately, but even so it is always a marvellous experience with the wonderful boat the My Way and the experienced skipper Marcel. It is also always lovely to share time and experiences with great people, whether already known or newly met.

For me, this skipper training was the perfect introduction on the path to the Hochseeschein. The structure was clear and every topic was covered in detail.
The skipper's extensive experience was reflected in the safe execution of manoeuvres – both in harbour and at sea. These were explained in a highly practical and well-founded manner and practised intensively. In short: all participants were given a wealth of knowledge from which even experienced sailors could benefit.
Alongside the professional seamanship, the social side was never neglected – whether after anchoring in stunning bays or during shore visits. An all-round experience-rich and successful week full of valuable experiences!

I experienced "Sunsailing.ch" as a very professional company. The training programme was well thought out, consistently implemented and well delivered. Throughout the training, great emphasis was constantly placed on safety, but the fun factor was never forgotten.
Overall a thoroughly positive experience!

We spent a week with Marcel for skipper training.
Whether harbour, anchoring or rescue manoeuvres, sailing in all variations or cooking together on the boat –
everything fitted together wonderfully. Marcel is a great skipper who explains calmly and acts just as calmly in complicated situations. We had great fun and learnt a lot. Many thanks and we'd be happy to come again! Hartmut

Great trip with a small crew through a fascinating, picturesque sailing area.
The skipper is very attentive and safety-conscious and responded to the crew's wishes.
We spent little time in harbours and anchored a lot in bays – which suited me very well.
Technically the boat was in good shape and we sailed a lot, even in strong breezes.
Culinary highlight: the Swiss cheese fondue.

Captain's log – report of the freebooter voyage
Ahoy, you landlubbers! In S'Arenal near Palma de Mallorca we hoisted the black flag and boarded our proud ship. The rigging was set, provisions stowed and every soul received a proper safety briefing, lest anyone meet Davy Jones prematurely.
The first night we spent on deck, wooden planks beneath our backs, the starry sky above our heads – but woe, the 'Costa de la plaga de mosquitos' barely let us rest, a buzzing army worse than a cannon salvo.
With first light we set sail, course 246 degrees. The wind whistled round our ears and we fought like furious devils with the winch. At 14:36 sharp we managed our first anchoring manoeuvre, even if the commands weren't always spoken in the same tongue. But scarcely was the anchor weighed when >5 Beaufort blew round our noses – the sailor's heart rejoiced! So we crossed the 'El Paso del ojo lloroso'
At dusk we entered a quiet bay. With a 'Patera' a brave fellow set across to make fast the shore line. Thus we christened it 'Bahía del cuento marinero'. There Davy Jones spun his tales, and rum became our best companion through the night.
Next morning we raised sail for Menorca. The water – as blue as the Caribbean! We felt like the Pirates of the Caribbean. But the ocean grants no one rest: we had to free the propeller from old nets and with the winch salvaged a cursed anchor chain – without the treasure, the anchor itself. The next resting place we named 'Bahía del abismo azul'.
Then we set course for Sardinia: four hours sailing, four hours sleep, three days long, as true buccaneers do. At last, after the passage across the Mediterranean and the narrow 'Estrecho del hermoso cielo estrellado' we reached La Maddalena – a paradise that rewarded the toil.
Dolphins, flying fish and turtles were our only companions, more faithful than many a pirate. And the treasure, you scoundrels, we found it indeed: an adventure that will stay in our bones and hearts!
🏴‍☠️ End of report – until the next voyage, comrades!

Learnt a lot this week and no unnecessary stuff. Managed to improve my basic skills considerably.
Full programme, berthing and casting off x times in the harbour and at the fuel dock in wind. My first night passage. We learnt rescue manoeuvres including recovery and anchoring. Good weather, good wind.

The organiser had a very good concept for the skipper training, which was consistently implemented. All necessary topics were discussed in detail beforehand. Afterwards every participant had the opportunity to practise everything several times in practice. Then the practical exercises were reviewed to iron out weaknesses and thereby become ever more confident in execution. The training took place in a very pleasant interpersonal atmosphere. The boat MyWay is comfortably equipped and very well suited for longer stays on the water. In summary I can confirm that the skipper training brought me a great deal.

Sailing had not interested me until this summer. I associated it with: 'boring, just water'.
When my husband enthusiastically did his sailing licences, I could not share his fascination for sailing. But there had to be something to it.
I was curious and decided to come along on the trip from Portimão to Málaga. 
You have to try everything once.
Completely clueless as regards sailing and with my fear of possible seasickness, I went on board the 'My Way'.
It was then completely different from expected. We met the crew and the skipper and were immediately welcomed in a friendly way.
I decided to take an active part in the sailing. So the skipper patiently explained the basics to me, the greenhorn, and I learnt a great deal.
They even let me take the helm. 
I was so excited that I forgot about the seasickness problem. I felt brilliant. It was wonderful camaraderie on board 'My Way'. 
Nothing was boring here. There was the vastness of the sea, the excitement during sailing manoeuvres, discovering unfamiliar places, sunsets, dolphins and entertaining and fun evenings with great people on board. There was beautiful old Cádiz and the impressions of the Strait of Gibraltar. The special thing was the perspective – you see the world from the sea.

Far too rarely does one embrace this combination of adventure and freedom. And it does you the world of good.

I'm glad I tried cabin charter, will do it again and until then will practise the knots I've learnt. 🙂

Repeat offender – 2 × Caribbean, a total of 3 months in the area between Trinidad Tobago and Saint Martin with the My Way and skipper Marcel. Unforgettable!

Had a brilliant transatlantic trip from the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten via the Azores (with a week's stay) to Portimão (Portugal). With an experienced skipper, well-equipped boat and a professionally led crew. The crossing was engaging and through a rotating watch system everyone could experience sunrises and sunsets as well as enjoy the moon and starry sky. We met many dolphins, orcas once and several turtles on our route. Freshly caught fish was also served. At the halfway point there was a cheese fondue in Swiss tradition and always fresh bread (thanks to the bread-making machine on board). Apart from 2 days with little wind we always had sufficient or strong wind. All in all a successful sailing trip.

Our motivation was to find out whether we enjoy sailing. After the trip with Marcel, that can clearly be answered with a yes: we had a very relaxed but also active time on the MyWay. 2 weeks of sailing felt like 4 weeks of 'normal' holiday otherwise.
Marcel organised things very well so that there was plenty of sailing, but also time for relaxation and adventures ashore. On our trip the coordination amongst ourselves with 8 people on board also worked well. As Marcel knows the sailing area very well, he always planned fantastic anchorages for us, so that we could enjoy the voyage to the full. Our personal highlight was the Tobago Cays with their breathtaking lagoons and many turtles, as well as the lobster dinner on the beach.
The verdict: goal achieved – we like sailing! Marcel is a super host and skipper. Any time again. Perhaps in the Mediterranean in summer.

Marcel is a really very personable skipper. With his attention to detail, he made the trip absolutely wonderful. Nevertheless, he is also happy to accommodate the crew's wishes and is pleased to incorporate them into the trip. The sailing yacht is equipped with everything you need in everyday life and designed with attention to detail.
For my part, I can wholeheartedly recommend a voyage with MyWay to everyone. You won't be disappointed!

We were really able to get stuck in whilst sailing. Marcel corrected us straight away, so we were able to improve gradually. The holiday was active: up early in the morning, breakfast, sailing, visiting and admiring an island. The skipper has a lot of experience and knows the Caribbean very well. So there were no dull moments. I felt well rested.