Frequently Asked Questions

Ask the Skipper
  1. Ask the Skipper
 

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Can I join FlexiSail and learn to sail?

Solent Nautical College is an integrated part of FlexiSail. We can (and do) take absolute beginners and teach them to Day Skipper and beyond. Learning with FlexiSail is a ‘fast track’ way of acquiring the necessary skills whilst at the same time becoming an expert in handling your FlexiSail boat. We teach you as a family unit or with others if on your own, giving you the benefit of one-to-one training with a highly experienced Yachtmaster Instructor. Our approach is very much a ‘hand holding’ one as we appreciate how daunting it can be to take responsibility of other people as well as an expensive boat. There is no more efficient or less stressful way of learning to sail.

What is the relationship between SNC and FlexiSail Hamble & Lymington?

Both companies are owned and run by myself (Richard Pierpoint) and my wife, Sue. Alasdair Marshall, RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, is our Chief Instructor. We recognised that there was real demand from our existing FlexiSail members to provide bespoke tuition to improve their skills, as well as from new members joining who needed to reach their Day Skipper level, or just to brush up on rusty skills. In response to this we formed Solent Nautical College and gained RYA training status recognition and are able to provide dedicated training for FlexiSail members.

I gained my Day Skipper qualification years ago, but am worried that I am rusty and not up-to-date with all the electronics onboard modern boats. How can you help?

On joining FlexiSail Hamble & Lymington we take you through a 2 day induction on your boat. This is to ensure you are familiar with all the equipment and how the boat sails and handles. Following this we provide personal tuition tailored to your needs. We also regularly run member workshops, covering everything from navigation to anchoring. For example, if you want practice at ‘man overboard’ drills for the whole family, then this is what we will do!

Do you do RYA courses?

Yes, we can certify Competent Crew, Day Skipper Tidal, Yachtmaster Coastal and can tutor you through to Yachtmaster Offshore and beyond. We also can provide ICC and some MCA courses.

I have my own boat and need to get an ICC. Can you help?

Yes, we provide own boat tuition for non-members. We can offer a bespoke preparation course and/or ICC examination for Sail and Power.

I am really interested in your training, but don’t wish to commit to FlexiSail. Does that rule me out?

No, not at all. We run a number of Day Skipper Tidal and Competent Crew courses for non-members throughout the year on our 37’ training yacht in Lymington.

What qualifications and experience do I need before joining FlexiSail?

None! One of the great benefits of FlexiSail is that we will ‘hold’ your hand, giving you access to your boat with an instructor, taking you, your friends or family from total novices to competent sailors in a safe, enjoyable way. SNC is both an RYA practical and shore based training school that is able to provide all your training needs.

As a FlexiSail member will I be qualified enough to bareboat charter abroad?

Yes. Experience gained with FlexiSail and your RYA Day Skipper Tidal qualification and ICC (International Certificate of Competence) will enable you to charter anywhere in the world.

Do you provide VHF and Sea Survival Courses?

Yes, we are a fully accredited RYA training centre (Solent Nautical College) for both shore based and practical courses. We provide theory courses, VHF, First Aid, Sea Survival and Diesel Engine Maintenance. All members receive a preferential rate.

I need to do Day Skipper Theory, can I do it with you?

Yes, we provide a Correspondence Course that is very popular as many of our members find it easier to do it in their own time rather than spending time in a classroom.

Can I take my Day Skipper Practical and/or Competent Crew course on my FlexiSail boat?

Whilst you can join one of our ‘standard’ courses, which is open to the public and done on our 37’ training yacht, the much preferred approach for our members is to have one-to-one training on their own FlexiSail boat. For two people the cost is similar, but you get better value and will learn more and faster than in any other way.

How many members share a boat with FlexiSail?

We restrict the membership to a maximum of 8 members including the owner-member. Consequently this will give you the equivalent of 6½ weeks use per year and engenders a real ‘pride of ownership’. It is the pride of ownership that sets us apart from our competitors and enables us to maintain your boat to such a high standard.

Can I bring friends and colleagues when I sail on my FlexiSail boat?

Absolutely! You are free to invite anyone you wish to sail with you. Provided that as the member you are onboard and if you do not yet have your Day Skipper Practical qualification you can still sail, as long as you have with you a suitably qualified skipper who is in charge. In this situation we need to have the skipper’s details and qualifications for insurance purposes.

Can a FlexiSail membership be shared?

Yes, you can share a membership with one other person. This is normally a spouse or partner, but could be a friend or business colleague. In the case of sharing with a friend or colleague a ‘fair use’ policy would apply to the ‘as available’ bookings (within 48 hours) over and above your guaranteed access.

As a FlexiSail member what are the arrangements for fuelling my boat?

We have fuel accounts at both of our marinas. We ask you to ensure that you leave your boat with at least half a tank of fuel. If you need to refuel just visit the fuel pontoon on your way back to the berth, fill the tank, sign the paperwork and the cost will go on to our account. If refuelling elsewhere you will need to pay, and then send us the receipt so that we can reimburse you by return.

What are the cleaning arrangements on the FlexiSail boats?

Every month we undertake a professional clean that takes approximately 5 hours to ensure that our boats remain really smart and clean. We use chemicals to remove stubborn marks on the deck; clean the bilges; galley and heads; and polish the woodwork and bright work. As a member you are expected to wash down the decks, clean the galley and heads, sweep the floor, clear out your rubbish, etc. Basically you will need to leave the boat as you would like to find it, ready for the next member. We provide details in the Boat Manual of a professional cleaning service should you wish to arrange a membership clean, especially after you have had the boat for a few days.

What is the cost of joining FlexiSail?

We do not charge any joining fee so the monthly or annual rate is what you pay. Your Agreement is for 12 months, which is renewed annually. When you first join we take you through a thorough 2-day induction on your boat with an instructor. The cost of this is £700 including vat.

Once I am a FlexiSail member are there any extras to pay?

No, your membership fee covers all your costs. The boat is fully insured, berthed, maintained and managed by us. Even the cooking gas and *fuel (*yachts only) is included. There are no further costs for you to pay. You are responsible for your own overnight berthing costs when away from your marina.

What is the insurance excess on the FlexiSail boats?

You are liable for the first £1,000 on the yachts and £1,500 on the motor cruisers. Insurance is comprehensive and with a mainstream insurer. Your excess is recoverable where the insurers deem it is not your fault.

What happens if the FlexiSail boat breaks down?

Boat engines are very reliable and our boats are all new or less than 6 years old. However, it is possible to pick up weed and cause the engine to overheat or to catch a rope around the prop. Our boats are covered by Sea Start – the AA on the water, who will sort you out, usually within the hour. They are available to chat through and help with any mechanical issue.

How do I sail if my FlexiSail boat is damaged?

Our boats are not insured for racing and so it is very unusual for any boat to receive significant damage. In case the worst happens we do have ‘Loss of Earnings’ insurance which covers us to charter in a boat temporarily to replace yours while it is being repaired. Between the time of the damage and the replacement charter boat is brought in (10 days) we will do our utmost to lend you another FlexiSail boat so that you do not lose booked dates.

Can I race my FlexiSail yacht?

Unfortunately not. One of the reasons why we can keep and maintain our yachts to such a high standard is that they are for cruising only. We know from experience that boats which are raced are ‘pushed’ hard and to the limit which results in equipment breaking and significantly greater wear and tear.

Am I a part owner when I join FlexiSail?

No, full ownership is vested in the owner-member. As a member you are paying to have access to the boat. This keeps membership very simple and clean. When you choose to leave there are no shares to sell or other complexities. Your membership commitment is for 12 months.

How do you handle irresponsible FlexiSail members?

The Membership Agreement makes provision for those members who abuse their FlexiSail membership to be fined or ultimately removed from the programme. We are pleased to say that in 6 seasons we have never had to expel a member.

Can I become a FlexiSail member first and then upgrade to become an owner-member?

Yes, we actually encourage membership first. This way you can see how everything works, ‘buy’ into the way we run our business and proceed with absolute confidence that we will properly look after and care for your boat. It makes the transition very easy as you literally step off one boat onto your own as soon as it arrives. Meanwhile you have been enjoying your sailing during the wait.

As a FlexiSail member what if I don’t have enough spare time to justify paying for 6½ weeks access a year?

You can choose to share your membership with another person, which would effectively reduce your costs (and access) by half. However, we don’t recommend that you view membership on the basis of needing to use 100% of your allowance to justify membership. Very few members actually use more than 65% of their allowance. This means that for 35% of the time the boat is available for use, but is not booked. Rather than reduce the member’s access and sell more memberships, we leave this time on the boat as it increases your flexibility of dates when you want to book. Whilst weekends are always peak, you will be surprised how many weekend days you can ‘pick up’ on the 48 hour ‘as available’ basis. You are in effect taking an 1/8th share in your FlexiSail boat, resulting in hugely dissipated costs. A member’s total membership cost is usually less than the annual berthing cost of the boat! Many private owners carry the whole cost and sail much less than our average owner-member.

How do FlexiSail charge for fuel on motor cruisers?

Whilst we include the cost of fuel on the yachts, we have to charge for it on the motor cruisers. Fuel meters are installed which record the total amount of fuel burnt. Members take the meter reading on arrival and again on departure. Fuel is then charged back bi-monthly to the members at cost plus an engine service charge that is designed to cover the cost of regular engine servicing.

Why should I be a FlexiSail member and not an owner?

The advantage of membership is that it is simple and straight forward. You are paying for access to the asset, not buying it. Membership is a great way to see if sailing is for you (dipping your toes) without the huge costs of buying your own boat, paying all the running costs, dealing with all the ownership issues, and being left with a depreciating asset to sell. FlexiSail membership represents a brilliant opportunity to sail lovely boats at fantastic value. Membership is a no risk simple 12 month commitment.

Can I meet other FlexiSail members on my boat?

Absolutely you can. As a member you have access to all the other members’ contact details on your boat as well as the opportunity to meet members from all the boats across both our locations of Hamble and Lymington at our regularly arranged social events. If you are thinking of membership we are always pleased to arrange for you to meet or talk to existing members. It is a great way to get answers to questions, such as “What is your experience?” and “Does the iCalendar scheduling work out fairly?”

Do you have FlexiSail members who would sail with me?

Yes, we have a number of members that sail together. It allows you to sail when you might not otherwise have a crew and to sail with someone more experienced; who is more familiar with the area and places to go; and it is a fun social way to sail. We find that members meet each other through our social events, but we also have a Crew Affiliate Membership that you can have access to.