Sailing industry services
Marine Consultancy
Given over 50 years of experience in the sport, I have accumulated considerable contacts and experience, both racing and cruising which, for reasons best explained later in this website, I have now agreed to provide on a fee for service basis, rates being commensurate.
Sailing Tuition
Often people want to learn some of the sailing skills required on their own boat. To be safe and competitive. I am happy to come and assess your vessel and your boat handling to improve your skill set and possibly your confidence. Constantly improving your skills will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the sport.
Race Coaching
Happy to come on board (subject to availability) for a race or two, just to help you to get most out of your boat's performance.
Crew Coaching
Often skippers these days are not familiar with the new systems of sail handling and have not had a wide range of sailing experiences. They have never put together their polars, don't know how to do windward drops, never heard of a Martin Breaker, which are all common in the top racing fleets. I am happy to attend a racing practice session and provide my years of racing experience in boats as diverse as Hood 23 to the large maxi yachts. This may save you many months of trial and error for your yacht and it's crew. Common improvements we can be make in gybing, changing gears, sail changes and mast tuning are not easily learnt unless shown to you first.
Yachtmaster and Day Skipper
Many students I teach desire some additional tuition but are somewhat intimidated by the classroom environment, or don't want to be seen to ask questions of the teacher who is later an examiner. I am happy to provide tuition along the lines of the teaching blocks in the RYA system. This has to supplement your existing course. Three hour sessions can catch up a lot of learning!
Review potential purchase
Often people want a second opinion on a desired purchase before undertaking the expense of a formal survey. Happy to look at both sail or motor boats.
Deliveries
Whilst not holding myself out as an alternative delivery service, for selected students and in exceptional circumstances I am happy to consider taking part in a delivery. Whilst I have experience from Perth to Townsville and all parts between, I would like to think that I was contributing to the long term knowledge base of the owner or skipper, not just doing the miles for the sake of getting a boat from point A to B.
Charter work
I hold the necessary Captain's qualifications unrestricted for all vessels in Australia under 24 metres and overseas, all vessels under 200t.
Email in the first instance
capt_dp@yahoo.com.au
Damien Parkes