What is HOST?
HOST is an acronym for Hands On Sailing Trips. It’s Gone Sailing Global’s unique learning program to fast track you to learning to live aboard, spend more time on a boat, or get much more enjoyment out of chartering boats in exotic destinations all around the word.
Who can join a HOST?
HOST is a member only learning program. Only our members are invited to participate in a HOST and for a limited time only, your first HOST entitles you to a full year’s membership at no extra cost.
Once you’ve booked and paid for your HOST, we’ll issue you with your Member details and Login information giving you access to our online member area and members only social media portals where you can chat to like-minded people, ask questions, get involved and start learning.
Let the learning begin.
At Gone Sailing Global we believe learning to live aboard takes considerably more time than just jumping on a boat for 7 days. For some, it’s a life of learning.
So, to maximise your learning we’re going to get you learning from the moment you’ve booked your HOST. Upon receipt of your final payment, we’ll be sending you links to some of the key learning modules designed to help you better understand the world of safe and enjoyable boating. Your modules will be easy to understand, easy to follow and will arm you with the theory and basics so when you climb aboard you HOST, you’ll be well prepared to better understand the hands-on nature of our program.
What does HOST really mean?
As the name implies, Hands On Sailing Trips means hands on. You’re going to get your hands dirty. You’re going to get involved. You’re going to be doing, not just theorising. Sadly, you won’t be waited on from dawn till dusk.
During your HOST you’ll be: –
- dropping anchors
- raising and trimming sails
- handling the boat safely
- understanding the need for safe practices at sea
- planning each day’s trip
- having loads of fun
- making choices based on weather and conditions
- learning to tie knots… properly
- maintaining our vessel
- learning every minute of every day
- learning what all those strings on the deck are for
- everybody aboard will have a chance to get hands-on!
And to make it even more exciting, you’ll also be learning how to: –
- provision and prepare meals on a boat
- keep a boat clean and safe
- unclog a toilet (bet you can’t wait for this one!)
- have fun in an exotic location
- manage your onboard resources – fuel, water, power, food, etc.
And then there’s the other stuff: –
- meeting new friends, that you’ll probably have for life
- enjoying twilight drinks on a beach – also called Sundowners (it’s a tradition among cruising boaties)
- seeing and experiencing exciting new places
- getting a real taste for what living aboard is really all about
- chilling on deck as the sun goes down
What’s a typical day on board look like?
That’s easy! Every day on a boat is amazing!
We have a roster (yes, that’s right, a roster) so everybody gets a turn at everything. That includes preparing meals and keeping the boat clean and safe. Rosters, especially in the galley (that’s the kitchen), makes our time aboard a whole lot more orderly and enjoyable.
Rosters, typically, determine everybody’s responsibilities for a 24-hour period. That could be galley duty; skippering; navigation; director of entertainment; deck handing and so on. Sounds like a drag, but it really makes for a lot of fun.
Each afternoon/evening we’ll review weather forecasts and discuss the next day’s planned leg of our trip.
In the morning we’ll start with breakfast and then we’ll review the conditions and determine if they are suitable for the leg of our trip we’ve planned for the day.
Once we’ve made our decisions, we’ll get underway, and you’ll be hands-on from the get-go.
While we’re cruising to our day’s destination, we’ll be going back to class and doing some more learning: navigation; trip planning; etiquette on board; systems on a boat; instruments; boating terminology and so on.
Each afternoon we’ll aim to enjoy a wrap-up of the day and a few drinks on a beach and a swim. Alternatively, we’ll go ashore and enjoy a meal and take in the local cuisine.
Who’s doing the learning?
It’s normal for us to have couples aboard and we often find that only one of the “couple” will take the primary learning role which could, in turn, be the skipper’s role. That’s ok. We’re used to it.
We’ve structured our pricing to accommodate couples with a reduced rate and both can participate in the full learning program as much or as little as you like.
Where are we sleeping?
Great question! That depends largely on where we are and what vessel we’re on. In some instances our vessels will have private cabins for two. While in others, accommodation is more like an open plan, share cabin.
But there’s a group of us.
Once again, no problem. We’ll do our best to accommodate all of your requests. If you have a family or a group wishing to participate in a HOST together, we can certainly look after you and work out a special rate and even special departure destinations and dates for you.
Either way, this is a great family getaway, corporate excuse for a fun time sailing or just a great trip for a bunch of friends.
If you have a group, drop us a line and we’ll talk about how we can get you on a HOST.
Step by step to Hands On Sailing Trips…
Step One
Learn about Hands On Sailing Trips (HOST). You’re doing that step right now. Looking into our trips and options.
Drop us an email, reach out on WhatsApp, shoot us a message on Facebook and ask any questions you might have about our trips, the learning program or the destination.
Step Two
Select the destination that works best for you based on destination, vessel type (catamaran or monohull), price and available dates.
Make your booking online, being sure to complete all the details requested. We need to get to know you so we can better assist you in your unique Learn To Live Aboard journey.
Once you’ve decided, make the initial 50% deposit payment, (ideally 60 days prior to departure, but at least 30 days prior to the departure date). FYI, all prices are in AUD.
Step Three
We’ll shoot you a confirmation email with a receipt and confirming all your details. If there’s information that’s not quite right, let us know ASAP.
Step Four
Make your final payment, at least 30 days prior to the desired departure date.
Upon receipt of your final payment, we’ll send you links to download your workbooks. These are the workbooks you’ll complete before you climb aboard – we want you to get a running start at your learning. When you turn up at the vessel for your HOST with your completed workbooks, we will spend one-on-one time with you to help you through any of those areas you might have had difficulty with.
Step Five
Leading up to your HOST departure, you’ll complete your workbooks and along the way, you’ll have access to one of our crew (most likely Boyd) to ask for any support or assistance you might need completing your workbooks. We can help you either by email; our Members only Facebook page; Facebook Messenger; WhatsApp or even Zoom if you’re getting really stuck. Always remember, our primary goal is to assist and support you on your journey to Learn To Live Aboard and that journey begins once your final payment is made.
Step Six
Start packing, make your travel arrangements to arrive at the destination at least 36 hours prior to your departure date. If you need assistance with accommodation prior to your HOST departure, get in touch, we’ll assist in any way we can.
Step Seven
We’ll all meet two nights prior to departure to get to know one another and to make any plans necessary to ensure we’re well stocked and everybody’s needs are catered for. This means we’ll likely be picking up fresh food and last minute odds and ends the day prior to departure.