News & Offers

Trans-Pacific Passage

There will be an opportunity to join us on a passage across the Pacific starting in April or May 2012. You can join for the whole passage or a single leg.

This will be an ideal opportunity for those wanting a trip for their Ocean Yachtmaster, wanting miles towards their Yachtmaster or just looking for a once in a lifetime adventure The trip will depart from the Caribbean and end in NZ having transited the Panama canal, visited Marquesas and Tahiti en-route to NZ.

You will have to be fairly flexible in your return date as wind and weather decide our speed. The cost of participation will be negotiable and each leg will cover about 2500 nm and take about a month. Anyone interested should email us a rough summary of your experience and the leg that is of interest, you can book for the whole trip if interested. There will be 3 double cabins available on each leg. This is an amazing chance for some real adventure!

Changes to Coastal Skipper Exam

From the 1st January 2010 the RYA’s ‘Coastal Skipper Certificate of Competence’ will be changing its name to the ‘Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence’.

James Stevens, RYA Training Manager, explains, "Currently many trainee skippers are daunted by the standards of the Yachtmaster Offshore exam, but for inshore sailors and powerboaters the coastal exam is more appropriate and more achievable.

This change will remove any confusion between the Coastal Skipper Course and the exam, which has resulted in many people thinking they are qualified when in fact they have only attended the course."

To find out more, see the RYA website.

Westwinds Yachting Sailing from Nelson!

Westwinds Yachting operates from our base in Nelson Marina, right by the Tasman Bay Cruising Club. The beautiful coast of Tasman Bay is on our doorstep, D'Urville island and the Marlborough Sounds are just a day-sail away. The area is renowned for its climate with the most sunshine-hours in New Zealand. 

Why not combine your sailing with a few days exploring the local Marlborough vineyards, Nelson Markets or many art studios? Westwinds runs 2-5 day RYA courses/Charters. Come by yourself, make friends or get a group together and book the whole boat.

To book now or to find out more simply fill in our booking form or contact us directly.

Call for Last Minute Offers

We occasionally have last minute availability on courses due to cancellation. Check with us on +64 (0)21 168 0457 for last minute offers.