Go West Sailing

31/12/2024

🌊 Sail the West Coast of Scotland and Northern Ireland in 2025! ⛵️

Due to popular demand, we are offering this exciting trip again. Starting from Oban or Largs and ending in the opposite harbour, you will sail through the stunning Inner Hebrides and Northern Ireland aboard one of our comfortable 4-cabin yachts. Explore incredible places like Mull, Jura, and Islay, with stops at whisky distilleries and charming coastal towns. Perfect for anyone looking to log miles or night hours for sailing qualifications.

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Sound of Jura, sail past the famous Corryvreckan whirlpool, and venture to Northern Ireland with stops at Giant’s Causeway and Old Bushmills Distillery. Book now from just £795.

Check available dates on our website www.gowestsailing.com/scotland-sailing-adventures/west-coast-northern-ireland/ or email [email protected]

30/12/2024

🎄 We hope you’re enjoying the holiday season! 🧑‍🎄 Our office will reopen on Friday, 3rd January 2025, at 9:30am. We are looking forward to seeing you soon! 🌟

30/12/2024

Theory, theory, theory ... the RYA Radar course is a one-day, shore-based course that will give you an understanding of radar use on both sailing and motor boats.

📆 18th January or 12th April 2025 at 09:00 (8 hours)
💷 £99 (includes RYA course materials, tea & coffee)
🗺️ Go West Sailing classroom in Largs Yacht Haven

Email [email protected], call +441475789837 or check our website www.gowestsailing.com/radar

29/12/2024

We have dates for the 2025 Sail to Hebrides and Small Isles sailing adventure ⛵️ During this seven-day adventure exploring the beautiful Hebrides and Small Isles, starting and ending in Oban, you will visit the Isle of Mull, Canna, Rum, Skye, and possibly Uist or Harris. Enjoy stunning coastlines, spot dolphins and whales, and tour the famous Talisker distillery in Loch Harport.

🗓️ 2025 Dates: 11th May to 18th May; 22nd June to 29th June; 29th June to 6th July; and 3rd August to 10th August. Price is £749 for all inclusive adventure.

This trip is perfect for everyone, whether you are an experienced sailor or new to sailing. You will sail on comfortable Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42.2, led by our RYA Yachtmaster Instructor Howie Haubold.

Email [email protected] or check /www.gowestsailing.com/scotland-sailing-adventures/hebrides_-and_small_isles/ for booking and information.

28/12/2024

Time to take the helm? Start with the essentials. The RYA Day Skipper Theory course provides the vital knowledge you need to navigate the familiar waters safely. Perfect for weekend sailors and aspiring yacht owners, this comprehensive course will prepare you for practical sailing with confidence and is a preamble to the Day Skipper practical course.

📚 RYA Day Skipper shore-based: two consecutive weekends starting 21st February (21 & 23 Feb + 28 Feb & 2 Mar) for £349

Price includes course materials, tea and coffee. The shore-based courses take place in our classroom at Largs Yacht Haven; free parking available and great bus and train connections.

Email [email protected], call +44(0)1475 789837 for booking and information or see www.gowestsailing.com/day-skipper-shorebased

27/12/2024

Prevent breakdowns and sail with confidence - sign up for our RYA Diesel Engine Course in 2025. This one-day (8-hour) shore-based training will teach you how to fix common issues without workshop help and understand the key systems of a marine diesel engine. Gain the knowledge and confidence to keep your boat running smoothly when it matters most! 🛠️🧰

📆 Saturday 15th February or Sunday 27th April 2025
🗺️ Largs Yacht Haven, Scotland
💷 £99 (includes course materials, tea and coffee)

Please email [email protected], call 01475 789837 or see our website www.gowestsailing.com/rya-diesel-course

25/12/2024

🌊 Escape civilisation & sail to Orkney in June 2025 ⛵️ Enjoy an unforgettable journey along Scotland’s west and north coasts, all the way to the Orkney Islands or back. Sail aboard our comfortable 42ft+ yachts, guided by our senior RYA instructors. Depart from Oban and explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Small Isles, Outer Hebrides, and Cape Wrath, experiencing true North Atlantic sailing.

⛵️ 1st June 2025: Oban - Orkney (7 days)
⛵️ 8th June 2025: Orkney - Oban (7 days)

Highlights include a stop at the iconic Scapa Flow, visiting the Italian Chapel, and exploring St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. The adventure ends in the historic harbour of Stromness. This is a perfect way to leave hectic life behind and dive into Scotland’s wild beauty.

Price is £749 for an all-inclusive sailing adventure. Email admin@gowestsailing or visit www.gowestsailing.com/scotland-sailing-adventures/orkney

23/12/2024

🎄Wishing you a joyous holiday season 🧑‍🎄 Our office will close at 1pm tomorrow, 24th December, and reopen on Friday, 3rd January 2025, at 9.30am. Thank you for being part of our journey this year—see you in 2025! 🌟

21/12/2024

⛑️ RYA First Aid courses in 2025 ⛵ Join us for this one-day (8-hour) shore-based training in essential first aid skills tailored to boating scenarios. It’s the course we hope you’ll never need – but one every sailor should take. It’s also a pre-requirement for the Yachtmaster certificate.

📆 19th January or 16th February or 13th April 2025
🗺️ Largs Yacht Haven, Scotland
💷 £99 (includes course materials, tea and coffee)

Topics include the recovery position in confined spaces, CPR with a focus on the drowning protocol, cold shock and hypothermia from immersion, seasickness, dehydration, and how to seek medical assistance or advice via VHF. Helicopter rescue procedures are also covered.

If you interested or have any questions email [email protected] or call 01475 789837. More information can be found on our website www.gowestsailing.com/first_aid/

19/12/2024

Start the new sailing season with our bespoke 5-day advanced skippering course, led by our YM Instructor and Examiner Rob:

⚓️ Advanced Skippering Course
📆 26th January 2025 at 18:30
💷 £649 (includes onboard food, fuel & fees)

Course suitable for those around Day Skipper level and above.

The course covers advanced sail trim, spinnaker handling (weather permitting), anchoring techniques, close-quarters manoeuvres, preparation for heavy weather, man overboard recovery, splicing, and rig checks. This is the perfect opportunity to build your confidence and refine your skills as a skipper for the season ahead.

To book, email [email protected]. 🙂 For more details, visit https://gowestsailing.com/other_courses/advanced-skippering/

18/12/2024

Book your 2025 Barra Sail/Fly adventure ⛵️🛩️ aboard the 4-cabin Bavaria 42 Clipperton. 7-day trip for just £795.

Sail from Largs to the stunning island of Barra, then fly back to Glasgow from its famous tidal beach runway. Prefer to start with a flight? Fly to Barra and sail back to Largs instead. Along the way, we will pass iconic landmarks like the Mull of Kintyre, Paps of Jura, Gigha, Iona, and Staffa with its famous Fingal’s Cave and puffins. Plus, complete a 60-mile RYA Yachtmaster qualifying passage.

⛵️ 1st June 2025, Largs to Barra
🛩️ 8th June 2025, Barra to Barra
⛵️ 15th June 2025, Barra to Largs

Full details here: www.gowestsailing.com/scotland-sailing-adventures/barra or email [email protected]

17/12/2024

🎄 Christmas Holiday Announcement 🎄

Our office will be closed for the Christmas holiday period from 1pm on 24th December and will reopen at 9:30am on 3rd January 2025.

We wish all our sailors and adventurers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎅🎁✨

16/12/2024

🎁 Looking for the perfect pre-Christmas treat? 📚 Get a free RYA Marine Radio (SRC) or Essential Navigation & Seamanship or Professional Practices & Responsibilities (PPR) online course when you book any of our RYA practical courses.

Offer is valid for any practical course (5 days or more) commencing and booked between 22nd September 2024 and 23rd February 2025. Just use code AUTUMN24 in the booking notes.⛵️

Book now on www.gowestsailing.com/practical-2/ or email us at [email protected]

10/12/2024

Team Christmas lunch yesterday, for those that don't know the faces, Gabi, Kevin, Victoria, Chris, Norton and Shannon.

Awesome team, who work tirelessly to look after the crews, office and boats! ⛵🧑‍🎄⛵

10/12/2024

🎄 Looking for the perfect gift for a sailor? ⛵ Our vouchers are available in any amount or for a specific experience and can be redeemed whenever it suits best. 🎅 Email [email protected] to grab yours today. 🎁

09/12/2024

For the first time, we are offering a 7-day sailing adventure to the Isle of Man during the Festival of Motorcycling. ⛵️🏍️

Departing from Largs, you’ll sail aboard our comfortable 2017 Oceanis 45 yacht across the Scottish and Irish seas. Experience the Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT races, with prime views of the action, and explore the island’s scenic beauty and cultural heritage between events. The journey also includes potential visits to the picturesque Isle of Arran, depending on weather and group preferences.

⛵️ 17th August 2025: Largs - Isle of Man - Arran - Largs (7 days)

The all-inclusive price for this seven-day sailing adventure is £995. For booking email [email protected] or go to
https://gowestsailing.com/isle-of-man-adventures/isle-of-man-motorcycl

The full 2025 schedule for the Manx Grand Prix: https://manxgrandprix.co.uk/racing/page/schedule/

09/12/2024

We are delighted to share the story of Chris P. Wood a key member of the Sailing for the Disabled, Isle of Man charity (SFTD). This year, Chris set out on an ambitious adventure aboard our yacht Global Surveyor, sailing from Greenland to Iceland and onwards to the Azores to broaden his experience and log valuable miles.

Chris, who serves as a Director, Company Secretary, Mate, and volunteer for SFTD, is currently writing about his journey for the charity’s website: https://sftd-iom.com/greenland-iceland-azores-part-one/

At Go West Sailing, we are proud to support the incredible work of SFTD, a charity that’s been making sailing accessible to people with disabilities for 40 years. Their yacht, Pride of Mann III, is specially adapted for wheelchair users, with ramp access and a companionway lift. To support their mission, we offer discounted RYA training to their members working towards qualifications that help the charity thrive.

💻 Learn more about SFTD and their fantastic work here: www.sftd-iom.com

Fair winds, Chris—we can’t wait to read all about your adventure! ⚓

This first part does not have any action as it is all about the planning and preparation. Subsequent parts will have all of the sailing and photos. I am not quite sure how many parts this will hav…