·         Food and beverages during practical tuition

·         Accommodation throughout the courses excluding Day Skipper Module

·         Mooring fees

·         Foul weather gear

·         Safety equipment

·         Car parking at Shamrock Quay

·         Race entry fees

·         Return flights from UK to Gibraltar

·         Charts and nautical publications

·         Certificate costs

What’s not included?
        ·         RYA examination fee

·         Food and beverages whilst onshore (during Theory courses)

·         Personal travel insurance (this is recommended)

·         Travel costs (other then return flights from UK to Gibraltar)

·         Bedding

Who is Hot Liquid Sailing?
Hot Liquid Sailing is an RYA accredited Training Centre with bases in Southampton in the UK and Gibraltar in the Mediterranean. A company founded and staffed by professional sailors, many of whom started their careers after completing a Fastrack Yachtmaster programme.

We promote a friendly modern approach to yachting and we work hard to provide our sailing school clients with the highest quality, professional and thorough tuition. Delivering high teaching standards in order to keep sailing a fun and safe pursuit and give our students that little bit extra to promote good seamanship and not just deliver the course syllabus.

Where is Hot Liquid Sailing?
Hot Liquid’s UK Training Centre facilities and training yachts are based at Shamrock Quay Marina in Southampton. Shamrock Quay is ideally placed for easy access by road, train or plane. We are conveniently located in the central Solent which is our primary cruising area. Our Gibraltar base is at Queensway Quay, Gibraltar, approximately a 5 minute taxi ride from Gibraltar Airport.

Where will I sail to?
During our Day Skipper Module you will sail around the Solent including visiting the Isle of Wight.

Sailing on the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Modules will be split between our sea schools in Southampton in the UK and the tidal waters of Gibraltar in the Mediterranean. Southampton is located in the Solent which is considered to be one of the best sail training areas in the world due to its many challenging factors including; commercial shipping ports, complex tides and navigational hazards. It also offers picturesque harbours and rivers and the sheltered waters of the Isle of Wight provide relatively comfortable conditions during adverse weather. During your training you will also be sailing across the English Channel to France and the Channel Islands and visiting ports along the South coast.

Gibraltar offers a fantastic opportunity to sail in the tidal waters of the Mediterranean whilst enjoying its warm sunny climate and a variety of interesting destinations including Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Another benefit of including Gibraltar in our Fastrack Express Programme is to include common Mediterranean mooring techniques which cannot be practiced in the UK.

How should I get to Hot Liquid UK?
By car: Shamrock Quay Marina, William Street, Southampton SO14 5QL.
By train: Hot Liquid is within a 5 minute taxi ride from Southampton Central station. Train times.
By air: We are 20 minutes from Southampton Airport.

Is there car parking available?
There is a free car park at Shamrock Quay Marina and you are welcome to leave your car here for the duration of the course. The marina offers 24hr security and CCTV in the car parks however we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to cars or their contents.

What types of yacht do you use?
Our primary training yachts are an Elan 40 and Bavaria 36s which can accommodate 8 people, although for personal comfort and safety our training programmes have a maximum of 5 students per yacht. For our Express Skipper Programme you will experience sailing a wide range of yachts including offshore racing yacht and medium and large sized cruising yachts.

How do I know that the yachts are safe?
Our training yachts are Maritime & Coastguard Agency coded for commercial use. This means that they are inspected annually including a full service of all safety equipment. The yachts also undertake a full out of the water inspection periodically.

Who is the RYA?
The RYA is the Royal Yachting Association. They are the governing body for recreational water sports in the U.K. They also set the course syllabus, issue certificates and guidelines for Training Centres. RYA certificates are internationally recognised.

What should I bring with me?
Given that a yacht has limited stowage, a single soft holdall per person is recommended. It is important to bear in mind that you will be spending your time outdoors. Season dependant you should bring warm or sun protective clothing such as hat, scarf and sailing gloves. It is better to have several thin layers of breathable clothing rather than one or two thick layers. You will also require sunglasses, sun cream, wash kit and a towel. A full kit list will be provided after booking your course.

We are stockests of GILL sailing gear including waterproofs, boots and gloves. Please contact us on 02380 211 914 for more information.

Our neighbours at Shamrock Chandlery offer Hot Liquid students a 10% discount and can supply you with sailing equipment including; gloves, boots, books and general sailing equipment. We will be happy to advise you on type and makes of clothing.

What is a commercial endorsement?
A commercial endorsement is printed onto your RYA certificate of competence and shows that you have undergone additional training and a medical fitness test, enabling you to work on board commercial vessels.

What health and fitness requirements are there?
There is no real health or fitness requirement for sailing, however there are some guidelines. Hot Liquid would need to be informed should you be affected by any of the following conditions; Epilepsy, any Disability, Giddy Spells, Asthma, Diabetes, Angina or any other heart condition. You should be fit and healthy enough to participate in and complete the programme.

How do I prove my previous experience/sea miles?
Please bring the relevant certificate(s) and/or your logbook with you. If you have any doubts please call Hot Liquid on 02380 211914 to discuss your level of experience.

Will I have any free time during the Programme?
There is plenty of time for relaxing and socialising as there are frequent over-night stops in ports and marinas as well as days off during each Module. You will also be free each evening of the shorebased training.

Is there any pre-course reading?
Prior to the start of each Module we will send you a recommended reading list. This will be in addition the course notes and handouts you will receive during your training.

Can I store my luggage safely whilst I am at sea?
Hot Liquid have a secure storage area for students use. This is available during both the sea phases and the shorebased theory elements.

Do you cater for specific dietary requirements?
Yes, we do cater for vegetarians and other dietary requirements. Simply let us know in the relevant section of our Express Skipper Programme Booking Form and we will take care of your catering requirements.

Will I need a Passport?
Yes. This programme is not confined just to Europe as there are opportunities for travel outside of the EU, including Morocco. You should contact your country's embassy if you believe that this may affect you. We also recommend you bring an EH1C (formerly E111) available from your local Post Office or online at www.dh.gov.uk

Where will I stay during the Programme?
When booking the full Express Skipper Programme all accommodation is included within the course costs.

For individual module bookings accomodation is included in the course fee excluding the Day Skipper module. During the practical sailing phases of your tuition your home will be one of our yachts. You and your crew mates will share a variety of berths, from saloon berth and double cabins.

During the theory phases of your tuition you will be accomodated either onboard one of our yachts or a local hotel e.g. Holiday Inn or Travel Lodge.

Will I have to share a cabin?
As part of the reality of a crewed yacht it may be necessary for you to share a cabin occasionally. If you are coming on your own and a single cabin is not available you will have to share a cabin but this would only be with someone of the same gender.

How many students will be onboard?
The maximum ratio allowed of student to instructor at sea is 5:1.

Do you have laundry facilities?
There are full laundry facilities here at Shamrock Quay in Southampton and Queensway Quay Marina in Gibraltar, including ironing facilities.

Will I have access to the Internet?
Hot Liquid provides free broadband wireless internet access at their UK Training Centre. During your sea phases frequent overnight stopovers allow for internet access using your own equipment.

Will I have a postal address during my course?
Yes, you may have post including parcels delivered to our UK Training Centre. Please contact us for further details.

Contact Details
Hot Liquid Sailing Ltd
Shamrock Quay Marina
William Street
Southampton
SO14 5QL

T: 02380 211914
E: info@hotliquid.co.uk