The three yachts are all owned collectively by the members.

The annual membership fees and cruise booking fees go towards all aspects of boat maintenance and storage.  The boats are maintained to a high standard by a paid GSA Fleet Manager and a volunteer bosun for each boat. Members are encouraged to attend organised GSA work parties to contribute to the general general maintenance of the yachts. These are great for getting to know the yachts, meeting other members, and keeping the running costs down. Skippers and crew are expected to make in-cruise minor repairs if necessary. Comprehensive spares and tools are onboard and bosuns and the fleet manager will give guidance. A great opportunity to gain familiarity with boat systems.

All our yachts are well equipped (our specifications are based upon DoT "Coded" standards) and carry a dinghy and outboard motor, life jackets, updated charts and other safety equipment. Many of these items may incur an extra charge with some commercial charters, but are included by the GSA as standard.

Unlike a commercial charter company which leases new yachts all the GSA yachts are fully owned by the membership. They are well maintained yachts that have aged well.

No, we welcome newcomers to the sport. Our membership includes all levels of experience from absolute beginners to coastal and off-shore skippers. GSA is a great place to develop your skills to any level you aspire to - join a club skills cruise!

Over and above the boat fee there are three types of cost. 1) Diesel fuel and any cruise berthing fees, 2) On-board provisions and 3) eating out ashore.  1 and 2 are shared equally amongst the crew and skipper either by maintaining a kitty or else using a phone app like Splitwise. You are responsible for what you spend ashore, though crew members may agree to split a restaurant meal and add it to Splitwise. To reduce marina berthing fees there are many low cost buoys and free anchorages in stunning locations!

We will provide you with a life jacket. Most members have their own sleeping bag, pillow, sailing jacket, salopettes and boots.  However, we appreciate that new members may not have these yet and often experienced members may have spares to lend. When you sail with GSA you will be provided with a checklist of items to bring onboard. Bring warm clothes, waterproofs and soles that won’t mark the boat.

We have approximately 200 members both male and female: we have families too.  Many members are approaching retirement or are retired and enjoy the sailing, learning and friendly community of GSA.

GSA is a membership organisation, it is not a limited company or registered charity. GSA is governed by trustees and a committee, a constitution and byelaws. All the yachts are fully insured.

The Association is managed by a National Committee, headed by a Commodore. Others on the Committee include Rear-Commodores with special responsibilities such as bookings, membership, administration, skipper approval and finance, and the Trustees who are named on the ships’ documents on behalf of the members.

This is what makes GSA special! We are a club and a community.  Members develop lasting friendships, sail together, learn from one another, are always happy to help and feel a collective responsibility for the well-being of the association and its yachts. A charter company is a business and lacks the community aspect and care. Also GSA provides better value both in terms of cruise booking fees and included extras For example, we provide a cruising chute on all yachts at no extra charge.

Requirements

• You must have a VHF Radio Licence or Short Range Certificate

• You must have suitable tidal experience in your Logbook or resumé

• It is recommended, but not essential, that you hold a current RYA First Aid Certificate

GSA Qualification

• If you have appropriate RYA sailing certifications, you can be fast-tracked

• If not, you need to demonstrate equivalent skills via our skipper approval scheme

Want to become a GSA Coastal Skipper?

Fast Track:

• If you have an RYA Certificate of Competence (Yachtmaster Coastal), you can be awarded GSA Coastal Skipper following boat familiarisation

For other levels of experience, we have a skipper approval scheme:

• You can have sailed with two separate GSA Offshore Skippers of more than three years standing on two separate cruises who are willing to recommend you for Coastal Skipper status.

• You can join a GSA skipper approval cruise and seek the recommendation of a member of the Approval Panel

Want to become a GSA Offshore Skipper?

Fast track:

• If you are a RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Skipper (by examination), you can be awarded GSA Offshore Skipper following boat familiarisation

For other levels of experience, we have a skipper approval scheme:

• You can also join a GSA skipper approval cruise and seek the recommendation of a member of the Approval Panel

For more detailed information on the skipper approval scheme, click here. To see the GSA cruising limits for both coastal skipper and offshore skipper, click here.