UPDATE - Two places only left!!!


For those who have holiday that is due to be taken and no idea what to do with it why not consider a sailing holiday in the warm climates of the Canaries?

Just off the coast of Northwest Africa, near the Western Sahara, the Canaries enjoy year round sunshine. Lanzarote is the 4th largest Canary Island and is one of the most stunning.

The wind in the Atlantic blows at a constant 10-25 knots in a North Easterly direction which means that passage planning is predictable

The combination of sun, constant wind and an ocean rich in marine life is exhilarating and makes the Canaries one of the best known sailing areas in the world. Unlike the sheltered Mediterranean Sea or the predicted weather of the Caribbean, the Canaries was long considered the world’s end until the discovery of America. The islands are full of spectacular volcanic mountains but there are plenty of good harbours and marinas. Keep an eye out for dolphins and pilot whales that play in the bow wave or flying fish that emerge from the sea and travel some distance before disappearing again.

Sailing here can be technical. For the first IBM Yacht Club sailing adventure to the Canaries, we have secured places for 22 people spread across 3 yachts, ( a Bavaria 46, Bavaria 44 and a Bavaria 38) , If you wish to skipper a yacht, please email me with your qualifications. As a minimum, you should hold a coastal skipper license.

The base marina is Puerto Calero for more details on the marina please visit http://www.lanzarote.com/puertocalero/marina-in.html It is a modern marina with pontoon berths a good choice of restaurants and bars with very good shower and toilet facilities. We have made friends with the restaurant and bar owners so can make bookings in advance

The week shall consist of visiting many marinas and beautiful anchorages for lunch enjoying the sun and swimming. The stunning Island of Fuerteventura is within easy reach of Lanza

Dates: 24th February - 3rd March 2007

Cost: We estimate the cost of the boats to be about £250 per person plus cost of flights. (About £100 if booked early). Additional expenses will be shared such as marina fees and food.

Departing from Lanzarote's Puerto Calero harbour and spending a week cruising around the Canaries, we will plan to visit Fuerteventura and see where the winds take us.

We will charter enough boats for all people that want to go. We do have some qualified skippers amongst us so we will use them first to skipper the boats and can always supplement them with professional skippers if we need them. The plan will be to sail individually but meet up at agreed ports at the end of the day.

During the day we will cruise the seas - keep an eye out for dolphins! , mooring up at lunch for a swim and sunbathe, sailing again in the evening to a harbour of choice where either a quiet meal or a party can be organised

If you would like to provisionally book a place, please e-mail UKYachtClub,