Hi,

The Whitsundays is a group of islands located well inside the Great Barrier
Reef and is classified as partially smooth waters. Bareboat yacht rentals
in the area require you to be moored between the hours of 4pm and 7am so
there is no overnight passages possible unless you are in a skippered
vessel. They hire the yachts and catamarans to unqualified people and give
you a rudimentary lesson in sailing before letting you loose. There are
plenty of yachts around and radio contact each morning and evening with your
plans are mandatory. You'd have a great time and with your small boat
background should have no trouble. The Islands are within sight of one
another and you will find a map and a book "100 Magic Miles" which lists all
the anchorages, wind protection and what to do in the Whitsundays. Try and
look at this book before you come. Most yachts are hired from Shute Harbour
or Airlie Beach Marina.

You'll have a great time,

Ray

"skunk.co.uk" wrote in message
om...
Hi,
I am thinking of heading out to the Whitsunday islands in mid October
this year, and would like to do some AYF courses. I am interested in
the Competent Crew, Inshore skipper and possibly the Yachtmaster
Offshore Course.

Can anyone offer me any advice on this at all as far as what are the
better schools, and anything else I should consider before doing this?

I have a fair amount of dingy sailing and windsurfing experience in
the UK, but next-to-no time on yachts.

Sunsail (for example) do the courses very cheaply compared to some of
the other schools, but they seem to just be day courses, and other
companies do more expensive 'sea passages' where you get to spend 4-5
days and nights aboard. I will be on a budget, but if I am going to
need to spend extra money paying to log extra hours outside the course
in order to become qualified these longer sea passages seem a good
idea.

Thank you for any advice you may be able to offer me...

Tom

email :
web : www.skunk.co.uk