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What is Bewley Sailing?
We are CYA sailing school operating under the auspices of the Canadian Yachting Association, and offer their courses from Basic to Advanced. We are based in Vancouver BC, and specialise in 3 to 10 day live-aboard Learn to Cruise programs, and skippered charters in the Vancouver area, Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, around Vancouver Island, and beyond.
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What is the CYA?
The CYA (Canadian Yachting Association) is the governing body that organizes the sport of sailing in Canada. It encompasses the provincial sailing organizations and the 300 plus sailing clubs throughout the country. Part of its mandate is to set and maintain national standards for sail training. This it achieves through its Learn to Sail program for small dinghy sailing, and its Learn to Cruise program for large keelboats. Bewley Sailing is engaged in the latter program teaching you how to operate and live aboard cruising sailboats.
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How does the certification process work?
We offer CYA courses from Competent Crew through Day Skipper (Basic), Bareboat charter standard (Intermediate), Coastal Navigation, and on to Advanced Coastal Cruising. Each participant is supplied with a course manual in advance and is instructed on its contents while on board. A written exam is taken towards the end on the course, and practical skills are taught and evaluated throughout the cruise. No previous experience is required for the Day Skipper (Basic Cruising) course. Candidates meeting the standard will be awarded a CYA Logbook certifying their achievement at the appropriate level.
Concurrently we also offer instruction and certification for the Canadian Coast Guard Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) which is now mandatory to operate in Canada a powered craft of four metres or less.
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What does certification do for me?
If you are new to sailing, any time spent with us will give you a good introduction to the sport, and enable you to asses to what extent you may wish to pursue it. You will feel more at ease with boating, and be a useful crewmember on others boats.
The Basic Cruising qualification demonstrates to yourself and others that you are capable of handling a 6 to 9 metre cruising sloop in good conditions. In the Vancouver area bareboat charter companies will generally allow you to rent similar sized sailboats for use in English Bay and Howe Sound.
Certification at the Intermediate Cruising level is generally required to rent sailboats for cruising the Gulf Islands, and the world’s chartering areas like the Caribbean.
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What and how do I learn?
It all starts when you make a booking. We immediately send you the course manual, and encourage you to read it in advance. This 200 page book includes boat jargon, sailing theory, safety, weather, rules of the road, and elementary navigation, all of which and more will be further explained as we go along.
The greater part of what you will learn is taught by hands on practice under the guidance of the instructor. You will each take turns at being in charge and performing all the functions required to enable you to run the vessel on your own. This includes steering, sail management, anchoring, docking, emergency procedures and crew teamwork. It may sound like a lot but it’s great fun and you'll be amazed at your progress.
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What kind of sailboat is used?
We use a 38 ft. offshore cruiser/racer called the Ohlson 38. It enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a classic yacht, and makes for a versatile teaching platform. Not too big to be difficult for students to handle, she offers comfortable accommodation for up to four crew plus the skipper. With 5 berths, galley, head, navigation station, and roomy cockpit, she’s an excellent example of a soundly designed vessel that can be used both for coastal and offshore cruising. While hull, deck and rigging are of top quality modern construction, below decks she’s delightfully done out in beautiful varnished mahogany in the traditional style.
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What’s a typical course day like?
We breakfast around 8.00 am during which we collectively plan our day. After analysing wind, weather, tides and charts, we set sail and practise sailing exercises as we cruise towards the anchorage or mooring that we have chosen as our day’s destination. Each crew member takes turns as acting skipper and is coached by the instructor to meet designated levels of competence in sail handling, steering, navigation etc. We break around noon for a relaxing lunch, usually anchoring in a small cove. We then resume sailing and continue the rotation of sailing responsibilities so that everyone gains hands-on practice at everything. We anchor or tie up around 5.00 p.m. Dinner is a co-operative effort often followed by a lively discussion around the table.
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What's included?
Instruction, accommodation and all meals on board. We also supply life jacket, towels, pillow and sleeping sheet. Most of our guests bring their own sleeping bag. If requested we can provide one.
Do I need special clothing?
Good quality outdoor wear is normally sufficient, but you should have a pair of non-marking, non-skid shoes that won’t leave ‘tire marks’ on the deck. Court shoes will often suffice, although if you plan to continue sailing it is best to invest in a pair of deck shoes. Good quality ones tend to offer best value. To buy locally try www.stevestonmarine.com or, throughout North America www.westmarine.com.
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What should I bring?
Non marking footwear, personal gear and toiletries, wet weather gear, sun hat, shorts & sunglasses, change of clothing, swimsuit, and camera. Alcoholic beverages are not provided but many guests bring their own for the evenings. Click here for more details.
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Do I need previous experience?
No previous experience is required for the Introduction to Sailing, Competent Crew, Basic Cruising (Day Skipper), Coastal Navigation qualifications, or for our non-instructional cruises. We teach you all that is necessary to feel at home onboard. For Intermediate and Advanced courses previous boating experience is necessary.
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What about showers and toilets?
The vessel is equipped with a head (Marine Toilet), and has a pressurized hot and cold water system. Although the head is also equipped with a shower even in much larger boats they tend to be of marginal use. We therefore usually stop every second night at a marina where you can take advantage of all the shoreside facilities including washrooms and showers.
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Will I get seasick?
Few people do. There are methods of preventing and managing "mal de mer" if you are prone to it, and this will be explained up front.
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Accommodation in Vancouver?
Our point of departure is in Coal Harbour near Stanley Park, adjacent to the Vancouver downtown area. Check out our Hotel list showing a variety of places nearby.
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Parking?
Parking in the immediate dock area is limited and it is best to have a friend drop you off at the boat, or take a cab. If you are staying downtown we can sometimes pick you up at your hotel.
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Why choose Bewley Sailing?
We are a small operation allowing us to set and maintain the highest standards of service. We are able to offer greater flexibility combined with a higher degree of personal attention than a larger company. You will sail on a boat that is equipped, maintained and skippered by its owner. Your skipper has extensive experience as both sailor and instructor, knows the boat and the cruising area intimately, and is motivated to deliver a top-notch sailing experience. We have a vested interest in ensuring your complete satisfaction.
At Bewley Sailing we feel we offer unbeatable value. Our policy is to keep our prices below the market rate of larger companies, and to provide the highest level of coaching by an experienced and enthusiastic skipper/instructor. The package of boat, instruction, know-how, and meals is second to none. See our Details page for prices.
To further reduce your costs, book 90 days in advance, and sail with a companion. Click here for examples.
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How do I make a booking?
It's simple. Agree your selected date with us, and make an advance deposit of 25% usually by VISA. We will then send you, along with your confirmation, the requisite course material (if required) for prior study, and a list of “What to Bring”. You can click here to let us know your preferred date.
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References / Comments?
See our customer comments page.
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Where can I get more information?
Visit our web site at www.seabc.com. There you will find everything explained in greater detail with the aid of maps, lots of pictures, and links to other helpful sites.
Call us toll free at 1 (800) 661-9133. or email Bewley@seabc.com We'll be glad to answer all your queries.
If local, call (604) 689-1647, or arrange to meet with us casually over a coffee in the Vancouver area.
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