Go West Sailing – Frequently Asked Questions
- About Go West Sailing
- Booking and payment
- Price includes
- Sailing experience and crew expectations
- Certification and RYA training
- Other sailing courses
- Sailing adventures Scotland
- Sailing adventures worldwide
- Health and safety
- Travel and logistics
- What to pack
- Charter
1. About Go West Sailing
What does Go West Sailing offer?
We are an RYA recognised training centre based in Largs, Scotland. We offer RYA practical and theory courses, Scottish sailing adventures, international offshore passages and yacht charters. Our adventures range from coastal cruising to high-latitude expeditions such as Greenland, Antarctica, Atlantic crossings and the Falkland Islands.
Where are you located?
Most practical courses begin at Largs Yacht Haven, Irvine Road, Largs, KA30 8EZ, which is also where our office and classroom for shorebased courses are based. Charter boats are available either from Largs or from Oban, depending on the yacht.
Do you run both coastal and offshore sailing?
Yes. We operate local training courses and Scottish adventures, as well as longer international offshore sailings.
Who are your instructors?
All of our instructors are RYA-qualified with extensive teaching and sailing experience.
2. Booking and payment
How do I book?
You can book directly through the website or contact us by email or phone for assistance.
What payments do you accept?
Payments can be made online or by bank transfer (Santander, Sort Code 09-01-29, Account Number 18335554).
Do I need to pay a deposit?
Yes. A deposit is required at the time of booking, with the balance due before the course or adventure begins.
Can I change my booking?
Amendments depend on availability and the terms outlined in our booking policy.
3. Price includes
What is included in the course price?
We provide all onboard meals and snacks, fuel, gas and harbour fees. It is normal for the crew to eat out a couple of times a week on RYA or adventure sails.
Included onboard:
- Accommodation onboard;
- All onboard meals and snacks;
- Fuel and gas;
- Marina and harbour fees;
- Skipper or instructor;
- Bedding (sheet and pillowcase);
- Safety equipment.
What is included in adventure sailing?
Adventure sailing includes everything above, plus:
- Expedition skipper and, where applicable, a first mate or engineer;
- Offshore paperwork and permits;
- Expedition-specific safety equipment.
What is not included?
Optional and personal costs not included may include:
- Oilskins hire (£3.50 per item per day);
- Sleeping bag hire (£25 per stay);
- Final cleaning fee (£12.50 per person);
- Visitor fees for museums or attractions;
- Flights and travel arrangements;
- Car hire;
- Transfers at start/end destinations;
- Meals/drinks in restaurants;
- Personal items and expenses, etc.
4. Sailing experience and crew expectations
Do I need sailing experience?
No. Many courses and adventures suit complete beginners as well as experienced sailors.
What qualifications do your skippers have?
All skippers are RYA-qualified and experienced in both instruction and offshore sailing.
What will I be expected to do onboard?
You will take part in:
- Preparing the boat;
- Deck work and sail handling;
- Helming;
- Watchkeeping;
- Navigation tasks (under supervision of the skipper/mate);
- General day-to-day routines of living onboard (shared responsibilities such as meal preparation and cleaning).
Offshore adventures operate on a structured watch system day and night.
5. Certification and training
Which course is right for me?
We offer sailing courses and experiences from complete beginners through to Yachtmaster and Cruising Instructor level, including weekend courses and standard five-day practical courses. Please check the course descriptions or contact us if you would like guidance on which option is best for you.
Do adventure sailings count towards qualifications?
Many offshore adventures provide qualifying sea miles for Yachtmaster certification. Some include astronavigation practice or Yachtmaster Ocean experience.
Will I receive a certificate?
RYA courses include certification upon successful completion. Adventure sails do not issue certificates but offer loggable miles.
When do practical courses start and finish?
RYA practical courses typically start in Largs on Sunday evening at 6.30pm and finish on Friday afternoon at around 2pm.
What is included in a shorebased course?
We supply your student pack in the classroom or by post if you are attending online. You should bring pens, notepaper, dividers and a chart plotter. These can be supplied by us if ordered at booking. Kitchen facilities, including tea and coffee, are available.
6. Other sailing courses
These include additional training weeks such as advanced skippering, boat handling and ladies’ sailing weeks. Each is designed based on our experience to cover skills much needed by skippers and sailors that cannot be covered in a practical RYA training. The bespoke training has its own page with full details.
7. Sailing adventures Scotland
Scottish adventure sailing includes trips to the Hebrides, Mull, Islay, Northern Ireland, St Kilda, Orkney and other destinations. Each itinerary has its own page with full details.
8. Sailing adventures worldwide
Worldwide adventures range from Atlantic crossings and Azores routes to Greenland fjords, the Falkland Islands and Antarctica. Each adventure page provides route details, experience requirements and joining arrangements.
9. Health and safety
Do I need to be fit?
Sailing requires reasonable fitness and mobility. Please contact us if you have concerns, or consult your medical practitioner.
What happens in bad weather?
The skipper will make decisions based on weather and sea conditions at the time. Routes and plans may be adjusted for safety.
10. Travel and logistics
Where do adventures depart from?
Scottish adventures depart from Largs or Oban. International adventures depart from locations such as Ushuaia, Reykjavík, Ponta Delgada and the British Virgin Islands. Each adventure page provides specific joining instructions. Examples include:
- Largs, Scotland (local courses and Scottish adventures);
- Oban, Scotland (Scottish adventures);
- Ushuaia, Argentina (Antarctica);
- Reykjavík, Iceland (Iceland - Greenland routes);
- Kulusuk, Greenland (Greenland - Iceland routes);
- Ponta Delgada, São Miguel (North Atlantic routes);
- British Virgin Islands (East Atlantic crossing);
- Canary Islands (West Atlantic crossing).
Do you arrange flights or accommodation?
No, but we can offer advice on routes and timings.
11. What to pack
Please bring your own sleeping bag as the weather in Scotland varies. We provide a bottom sheet, pillow and pillow case. You will also need:
- Warm, layered clothing (avoid cotton);
- Waterproof jacket and trousers;
- Sailing boots or trainers with non-marking soles;
- Shoes for on shore
- Sailing gloves;
- Gloves, hat, buff;
- Device chargers
- Towel and toiletries;
- A small head torch;
There are a few other things to consider, such as:
- Mosquito repellent;
- Sun protection (even in polar regions);
- Lip balm;
- Flip flops;
- Sun hat;
- Any medicine required.
If you would like to record your miles, please bring your logbook. Logbooks are also available on site for £12.
12. Charter
Do you offer yacht charter?
Yes. Go West Sailing offers bareboat and skippered yacht charters from Largs Yacht Haven and Oban Harbour, both located on the west coast of Scotland. Our charter area includes the Clyde, the Kyles of Bute, Arran, the Firth of Lorn and the Inner Hebrides.
What yachts are available?
Our fleet includes well-maintained cruising yachts with modern navigation systems, safety equipment and comfortable accommodation. Examples include Beneteau Oceanis (45, 393), Dehler Varianta 44, Bavaria (44, 42, 40, 38), Elan 434, Ovni 43, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 379 and Hanse 325.
What experience do I need to charter bareboat?
The minimum requirement is RYA Day Skipper and/or higher, with the skipper required to show suitable experience depending on the boat.
Can I hire a skipper?
Yes. A professional skipper can be arranged for your charter.
What is included in the charter price?
Charter rates include:
- Use of the yacht for the agreed period;
- All safety equipment;
- Charts and pilot books for the cruising ares;
- Gas, basic consumables and mooring lines;
- Pre-departure briefing and handover;
- Dish towels and bedding (depending on yacht).
Full details appear on the individual charter/yacht pages.
What is not included?
Fuel on return, marina fees away from base, meals, transfers, personal expenses and optional extras such as waterproof clothing hire or skipper hire.
Where can we sail?
Our Scottish cruising area includes the Clyde, Kyles of Bute, Arran, Mull, Oban and the Inner Hebrides. Longer itineraries depend on weather and experience.
Is support provided during charter?
Yes. We provide technical and weather support throughout your charter.
If you have any questions which are not answered on this page, please either phone or email us.
