Baleine Sailing - Ilfracombe

Jon M.

Amazing week of sailing & learning. It far exceeded my expectations, including a stop in Lundy and passing through the Cardiff barrage at low tide at night! Fantastic experience. Ed is an excellent instructor and skilled chef - the amazing food alone would be worth the week at sea!

Sarah H.

We had a fantastic time doing our competent crew with Ed. He was really good to learn from. The whole week was enjoyable and Ed catered to our learning needs, giving us support and pushing us more where needed. Can’t wait for my next time to be out on the boat and learning more! Thank you!

Steve H.

We have just had a brilliant sailing weekend experience aboard Baleine with Ed and Helen.
My wish was to build my confidence to Skipper again after not spending much time afloat since COVID.
Also my new boat partner did not have much sailing experience and needed to gain some crewing skills.
I called Ed, he got it completely and offered a weekend trip to address both needs. Rarely in life do things work out this fine, as well as being a superb Instructor, Ed is in charge in the galleytoo. None of your quick fix convenience stuff on BALEINE. every meal was prepared from scratch to a cordon bleu standard with good quality ingredients.
Baleine is a very comfortable and well maintained boat, a pleasure to sail.
To cap it all, Ed and his wife Helen are amenable and friendly hosts and great conversationalists.

nancy S.

Just completed my first ever sailing course with Ed who is an absolutely fabulous instructor. I cannot recommend him highly enough! As a nervous newbie I found Ed to be empathetic but rigorous, let’s you make mistakes but always has your back - not to mention always a gentleman and exceptional cook to boot! I plan to continue my courses with Ed and look forward to more adventures on the high seas.

Anne M. L.

I have done multiple sailing courses and Ed is by far the best sailing teacher I have meet. He has the ability to impart knowledge tailored the way a student learns best which is a rare gift. He has a great depth of knowledge, is calm and provides feedback in a positive manner. When myself and my family sailed with Ed, we had one individual at day skipper level, one doing coastal skipper and one yacht master. Ed took all of this in his stride. In summary, Ed is a wonderful instructor. If you have a chance to sail with him, seize it!

Updated post. We had the pleasure of sailing again with Ed this time on his boat Baleine. She is an aluminum Ovni 435with a lifting keel. These are designed to be very safe, 'go anywhere' boats.

We had a wonderful week sailing in the Scilly Isles. We went to many interesting places and also did a lot of great sailing. My main aim was to raise my skill set with the plan to sit my Yacht Master in the next year. Under Ed's tutelage I've come much closer to my goal. It was great to be able to do challenging navigation, and practice key skills including close quarter maneuvering and docking in challenging conditions under Ed's calm guidance.

Ed is very proud of his boat and the experience that people have sailing with him. I mentioned to him that I was working out how to get from the airport to the boat and he said not to worry about it, that he would collect us from the airport. Then I found out that Ed is a superb cook who loves cooking. We were treated to sumptuous Ottolenghi inspired food every night. Finally, Baleine is a beautiful, exceptionally comfortable boat. I finished out our week trying to work out what I'd need to save to get a boat like Baleine!

Ed - thank you for going above and beyond. We had a wonderful week and hope to see you again next year.

Fiona T.

I've studied and passed both Day Skipper Theory and Competent Crew courses this year, with Ed, Baleine and Ilfracombe Sea Sailing School. Excellent and highly recommended to all. As mentioned by others, Ed
is very knowledgeable, patient and a good communicator. His cooking and all food provided is also first class.
Thanks to Ed for all his help and tuition this year!

Freya B.

Fantastic day sailing to Lundy with Ed (+ Helen and Caroline) he provided us with a brilliant taster day on our request and we both had a wonderful time. Not only was Ed was a patient, positive teacher he also provided us with a fab breakfast and lunch aboard. Would recommend to anyone!

Chris W.

Just completed my Day Skipper Practical aboard Baleine. What a fabulous 5 days! Ed is an excellent instructor and planned the 5 days brilliantly, so that we all had lots of opportunities to develop our skills, whilst sailing to a different destination each day - we even got as far as Skomer Island to see the puffins and other bird life, before night sailing into Milford Haven.
Ed in the galley is an exceptional experience too - first rate fare.
The course has rekindled my desire to go cruising again.