What's it like to Sail on Vital Spark - Testimonials

"I sailed on Vital Spark from Vannes to Camaret in Brittany, as part of a crew of three, over the course of a week in 2009. Peter is a great skipper - experienced and careful, as well as patient and good-humoured. One of the joys of sailing with him is that he avoids large marinas whenever possible, preferring quiet harbours and anchorages in rivers and bays, and he is very democratic when taking decisions about where to sail. Vital Spark is a large, comfortable and well-equipped boat - and I really appreciated having my own cabin and the electric loo!

The food was wonderful. Early morning tea was made by whoever got up first, there's proper coffee in china mugs at breakfast; bread, cheese, pate, salad and wine at lunch, and gin and tonics and nibbles after mooring for the night. After doing a big supermarket shop on the first day we took it in turns to cook delicious suppers (with lots of wine and brandy and coffee afterwards) and only ate in restaurants on the first and last nights.

A positive attitude, a good sense of humour, and willingness to join in and get on with other people is more important than sailing skills on Vital Spark.  Helping with ropes and fenders, when approaching and leaving moorings, keeping watch, making tea and coffee, food shopping, planning and cooking one or two meals, mixing cocktails, emptying the rubbish, cleaning the boat at the end of the week are all part of the fun of sailing.

The coast of Brittany must be one of the best areas for sailing in the world – beautiful islands, mysterious rivers, pretty harbours, long Atlantic rollers and lighthouses galore.  All this and some challenging tides and currents too, you can boast to your sailing friends that you have crossed the mighty Raz de Sein!  What more could any sailor want?"                     Dorothy  B  -  Sept 2009

"Over the past four years I have sailed on VS (and his previous boat), covering some 3000 NM.  We have mainly cruised N France, and earlier this year completed a Biscay crossing to La Coruna.  On every occasion I have experienced a good mix of relaxed coastal sailing with more challenging offshore passages, and continue to be impressed by the combination of a relaxed atmosphere with a safe and highly professional environment. "                                                                 Chris A  -  2005 - Sept 2009

"VS is a beautiful, spacious and well kitted out yacht (the electric winches and flushing heads speak volumes!). Sailing with the ‘skipper’ Peter is great fun, he is an excellent team builder; every crew I have joined has immediately gelled and the weeks have been full of laughter and good humour.  The sailing can be as relaxed or challenging as the winds allow and the crew desire; Peter does not impose his choices upon the others on board. Then there’s the ‘apres sail’ – lots of great meals, plenty of G&T and good wines, sparkling conversations (well they always seemed to be after a few G&Ts!) and fun games – ‘guess the intro’, pigs and fierce card games!   Thanks Peter for some amazing sailing weeks, with more to come hopefully." 
                                                                                                                                        ‘CCCM’  -  Comp Crew Chris M - 2008 & May 2009

"Many thanks for a wonderful week of cruising around the beautiful coast of NW Spain.   An amiable and invigorating week, stimulating conversation in excellent company, full of laughter, wining & dining.   Great scenery and exciting sailing on the comfortable and superbly equipped Vital Spark.   All under the relaxed leadership of her capable skipper.   Fantastic!" 
                                                                                                                                                                                            Brian B  -  June 2009

 "I sailed from La Rochelle to Vannes and had a brilliant time with great food and great company as well.  We had excellent sailing weather and logged 130 NM mostly under sail.   Anchoring off Ile de Huoat was particularly memorable and it would be hard to find a more beautiful spot.   I also really enjoyed swimming off the boat in the Morbihan.  Vital Spark is a fantastic boat - extremely comfortable and well equipped and Peter is an excellent skipper and very patient with novice sailors -   I reckon I learnt a lot and thoroughly recommend the experience."                                                                                                          Sue M  -  Aug 2009

" I'm not sure I should mention the deck scrubbing, rain dripping down the neck of your oilies  or the keelhauling of recalcitrant crew members!  Better  concentrate on the excellent company, good  food,  early evening swims before that first glass of wine and the sheer pleasure of being on the water in a beautiful yacht.  Oh! I almost forgot.......the skipper’s pretty good too ."
                                                                                                                                                                                        Karen W   -  Aug 2009

"I have sailed twice with Peter on VS. Both times have been extremely enjoyable - a great boat and an experienced and very sociable skipper.   Peter knows his stuff but is quite happy to let you be fully involved in sailing the boat.  I look forward to sailing with him again next year ."                                                                                                                              Kevin P  -  2008 & Aug 2009