Yachting and Boating World forums: Moonfleet Sailing

Hi, May I first introduce myself before trying to put my point of view on Carol ( NOT GARY’S) comments. I know I was on trip but my recollections were and are far removed from Carols. Now before I start I would like to give a bit of background of the relationship I have with Noel (before anyone passes an adverse comment). I first went sailing with Noel in the early 90’s. I have just checked my log book and I spent 25 days at sea with him. I stopped sailing in 94 due to work/family commitments etc. I then decided to have a mid life crises and take it up again, for which I am eternally glad of that life decision. I am trying to gain my coastal skipper qual. But unfortunately (but I agree with the rule), all my early 90s days do not count towards it. So I am trying to gain nights on board sea miles and experience etc. This year I have been out with Moonfleet for two 5 days courses (day skipper) and a 5 day experience, one weekend and the seven day cross channel jaunt that Carol mentions below.

I am not the type of person who (unlike Carol) who is lacking the moral courage to raise an issue face to face with someone if they have a problem with goods or services. However I do not want to get into a slanging match over Carols (not Gary’s) comments or her lack of ability to be a team player on the trip. So I have decided to respond to her comments from my point of view. I have placed her original comments in and replied to them. I would also like to point out that this was brought to my attention by a friend and NOT Moonfleet.

Carol says -They say first impressions count and for sure they do. We arrived at the “office” which is a portakabin in a the marina car park.

Doug says -I do not recall any misrepresentation on the brochure or on the web site referring to the offices looking like a corporate bank – what does she want/expect. I would prefer to go sailing with a school who’s boats are safe and meet the current safety regulations. It is more important, from my point of view, that safety priorities and good modern boats are standard practice. What good is a flash office when we are out at sea? Am I missing the point on this please tell me.

Carol - On the joining instructions it mentioned to meet at 8pm for an evening meal in the yacht club. Unfortunately the sailing school had failed to warn us that there would be no catering facilities available. Luckily we were able to visit a local fish & chip shop prior the others arriving who were not so fortunate.

Doug - I received an email informing me that the club house kitchens were not serving food on the Friday night. I went to the chippy ?????? I suppose I could complain to Cobbs Marina for having the audacity to have a wedding reception with a marquee that night at the club house.

Carol -The skipper arrived late.

Doug -I can not comment as I was late. It took me 6 hours + to get from Cambridge (unlike Carols 20 minute journey.) However, I rang Moonfleet on their number at 8.10 and Noel was on his way down to the office for 8.30. I arrived at 8.40 and no one was waiting outside etc. So if he was late (which I doubt) it was not more than 9 minutes.

Carol - He duly issued the wet weather gear that had seen a lot better days.

Doug -Now this bit does confuse me. Carol had a full set of brand new Musto’s on. I believe Gary borrowed Moonfleets foul weather gear, but he looked OK to me and never openly complained of being wet or cold ( I thought he looked quite dashing ).

Carol - Once onboard – we were issued with life jackets – many of which had mould stains on and were frayed around the edges. ( He did mention that they had been tested within the last 12 months but did not produce evidence of this).

Doug -Why was this not questioned at the time? The jackets are at sea the best part of the year. Yes I agree they are discolored but the harnesses and crotch straps were not frayed. It might be a fair comment that Moonfleet should have copies of the test certificates on board, but this was not questioned at the time ???

Carol - We were given a boat brief and told not to break the head door lock as it cost £60 for a replacement (we heard this on numerous occasions throughout the week) and how not to slam the overhead storage doors.

Doug -Yes Noel did mention this. I hold my hand up because I was the chief slammer!!! They are vicious lockers on the Baveria, but her point is ????????? Isn’t it just good husbandry.

Carol -First morning breakfast – toast and cereal – nowhere in sight was there any traditional English breakfast.

Doug -I was never promised a full English, plus if I were skipper we would not have had one. We were leaving at 7.00, the crew had never sailed before together, we had to get a routine sorted out. But on the breakfast menu at 6AM we were offered Orange juice ( but not freshly squeezed on the table, from juicy Valencia Oranges, but out of a Tesco carton NOT the value range), muesli weetabix cornflakes and toast – what more do you want ?????

Carol - We should have known from this that it was going to be a week of very poor quality food. There was no fresh fruit or vegetable on offer

Doug -Without having this blanked by the moderator -absolute poppycock

– there was a supply of bananas, apples and pears on board. I personally passed them to Carol and Gary at snack times etc. I also chopped a couple of apples into the fresh salad I made at lunchtimes, this was because I was conscious they were not being eaten. Maybe she expected kiwi fruit comquats ugly fruit etc – get real if you are going to make a comment get the facts right.

Carol -. All the food was frozen or tinned. At least Tesco’s home label did well that week as we certainly did not.

There wasn’t even any water on offer except water out of the tank. Even the lonely bag of bite sized chocolate was hidden away. The food was rationed, we were served out of date food and even mouldy bread!.

Doug - Well the only tesco value labels on show were on the bottles of water. Now when I made the drinks ( I was chief brew boy ) and anyone asked for a glass of water I poured it out of a bottle ( yes a Tesco one). There were enough biscuits and cakes on offer for anyone. Ok only a couple of bite sized bags of Mars Snickers etc for night sailing. I cooked most of the time through my own choice. I can say hand on heart apart from eating scotch eggs on the day of their use by date everything was in date. The bread that was moldy was on the fifth day I think , it was one bread cake out of the packet, come on get real we threw it in the bin. Noel bought fresh bread in Cherbourg. The food I thought on a whole was excellent. You have to remember that we are on a Yacht made to accommodate a maximum of 8 pers. We had 6 including the skipper but it is not The Ritz Grill !!!!!!! Take a reality pill please.

Carol - My partner was due to undergo his RYA Competent Crew course. After three days of being on board, I asked the skipper/instructor when the course was going to start. Every bit of information was extracted rather than being taught. It was probably the worse instruction I have ever seen.

Doug - I personally have been instructed by Noel and I think his method instruction is excellent.

Carol - As you can imagine, the atmosphere was quite difficult on board. We felt as though we were an uninvited guest rather than a paying customer. The skipper told us he was on holiday – yet we paid good money for our holiday which he seemed to forget. The comfort and safety of the guests were not his priority.

Doug -I think the holiday comment was taken out of context. This was made in the saloon cabin when Noel was explaining the basic passage plan and the locations that we were hopefully going to make. I did not notice any atmosphere on board ( I am thick skinned ) apart from a happy one ???? As for the comment of comfort and safety – my response is absolute poppycock.

Carol -The return journey across the channel was interesting. The other yachts left early in order to complete the crossing as the weather was due to worsen. Our skipper didn’t change any plans to suit the weather conditions. Maybe it was because he didn’t want to miss out on his usual duty free wine. Hence, the last four hours of our crossing were in rough conditions.

Doug -The weather was due to change to a F5/6 as i recall well within the boats/crews ability. I have been on a Moonfleet boat in a F7 and felt extremely safe and secure. Maybe Carol should understand that the wind can rise at times !!!!!!! As for the duty free comment – We are in the EU, it does not apply. But if you mean the wine, the departure time was calculated by Noel for the best tides and giving his paying customers come time in Cherbourg !!!!

Carol - I would recommend to stay clear of Moonfleet as the whole experience was one of a shoddy business that is done on the cheap without any customer focus.
I do not think that my expectations are exceedingly high. I expected a safe boat, decent kit to use, a competent pleasant skipper/instructor and food that was acceptable. Unfortunately, Moonfleet fell very short of this.

IDoug - would recommend Moonfleet to anyone. It’s a good sailing school with good customers, fine food and good boats ( both well cared for and under 4 years old). The school in my opinion puts safety first.

Doug -

Finally I think that the way this has been posted on the web without approaching Moonfleet at the time or later appalling.

Oh and definitely finally I would like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to Carol and Gary. After being with them all week they just left the Yacht without saying goodbye to me or the other couple that had paid for the trip. I thought we had all been friendly towards the pair of them.

Doug