It is interesting to note just how many aviation minded people are interested in marine activities too. It includes me as well and I have found the perfect way of doing it.
Fisbang... May I suggest that you go for your PPL instead of the NPPL. OK it's going to cost a bit more, but if you've sold your boat you'll have a few bob hanging around:D
Then look around for a share in an aeroplane you like and fly that around as much as you want. Then go off and hire a yacht by way of Flotilla or Bare boat. Try "Sunsail" who have bases in many places all over the world. With your experience you will not be asked for any certificates and if you had no experience at all, you would only have to do a 2 day course in Largs or Portsmouth and away you go.
The beauty of all this is that with a share in an aeroplane you are getting all your flying in the most economical way possible and when you charter the boat you have no insurance, mooring fees, maintenance bills or depreciation to worry about.

Englishal

Interesting you should mention this as I work on a deep sea diving ship.... In fact I'm actually typing this on the ship right now! What vessel is he on?

Lastly.... I've been at sea (Merchant Navy) for the past 33 years and sometimes I wonder whether I would have preferred to have chosen flying as career. But on the other hand doing it as a "job" may have removed some of the fun from it that I enjoy so much today. There is another potential string here:ok:

Ah, yes, but you do need somebody to ferry the aircraft back. Unless you ferry an aircraft carrier of course.:ok:

Flashbangwallop. Lots of encouragement from your fellow forumites to go for it. I'd heartily concur.!

My penny-worth is that should you sell your yacht, occasional chartering is not too, too ridiculously expensive - especially if costs are shared amongst a small group. You'd be able to do a fair bit of chartering for the typical annual standing costs of your own yacht.

An additional benefit is being able to sample a variety of cruising locations without having to "deliver" ones own boat to the new location.

Good luck.....

After thirty years of being a passionate sailor, sorry, rephrase that, passionate about sailing, I flew over the Solent this afternoon and had no desire whatsoever to be down there. (Mind you, there wasn't a lot of wind).

I used to love sailing across the Channel but now, comparing a comfortable 45 minutes with up to 15 hours of cold, wet and seasickness - no contest.

Go for it. The Gru is so much prettier when you fly it yourself.

Give it a few months then you will be getting a float rating like the others at Scottish and you can do a bit of both.

Thanks for the response's so far....giving me food for thought...guess I am at a cross-roads in my life and dont know which way to turn.....keep the ideas coming!!...:cool::cool::cool:

Keep the boat,and buy a Turbulent,only use the radio under extreme circumstances.Best of both worlds !!

fis, is it sailing you enjoy, or the sea?

Yoo can always do both ... ;)

Wanna come flying tomorrow (Friday) ? PM me or call me.

PS You need to pass exams to take this one on the water :E

PM in the post....:ok:

I too have commercial yachtmaster ticket but haven't sailed for a few years now.
I think if I won the lottery I'd live near the sea (Goodwood would be nice) I could sail boats, fly aeroplanes and drive race cars, possibly all in one day!
I hate to repeat it but the "three F rule" does have a lot going for it!!;)
(And for most of us two out of three is entirely achievable!)

anytime you want to go flying PM me -listen to Scottish from a different perspective.

Hey thanks for that.....non of this Mayday stuff with me aboard though!! :) I wont be on the other end to help in that case :ok:.......will take you up on that one day...Mr ATC from Glasgow still promising me a trip in the Kitfox from your field...remind him of that next time you meet!! :cool::cool:

There must be a lot in common as many flyers also love yachting. My brother-in-law has a 36' Benetau yacht and I've spent the occasional weekend with him. I like it but it's a real lifestyle thing. He spends every other weekend at the marina but probably only takes the yacht out 1 in 4 weekends, due to various factors like weather, tides, time etc.

PH-UKU Hey thanks for the best days flying of my life :O:O........without doubt the way for a flying starved sailor to go........4 lochs splashed.....ashore on one beach for hot Ovaltine and some of the best mountain flying you will ever see....and OH...sorry to the navy guys in the Lynx....hope we didnt frighten you too much!! :ok::ok: :cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:

You look back in life and regret your economies, but not your extravagances. Do both if you can, I do.

I agree...what the heck its only money for Gods sake, you go spend it and enjoy whilst you can.You will then have the best of both worlds and make many friends to.:ok:

If Glasgow ATC won't take you up for a flight in his Kitfox, come for a flight at Strathaven in one of our weightshifts or C42s.

Always glad to take any ATC up for a go in one of our aircraft - good for us to see a "face behind a voice" and good for them to see what and where we fly.

If its only VFR flying you intend doing and local bimbling (well sort of !) then the NPPL(M) and a microlight would be the way to go.
I have talked to you many times on our numerous trips across from Ireland to Blighty. I am only a VFR microlight pilot but trips from North West Ireland to all over the UK, right to Lands-End and indeed to Europe is not a problem with proper planning. We have a few trips of over 2000NM done this year already. Microlights can now out-shine much of the heavier stuff in terms of cost/maintenance/performance and to boot it puts grass strips of 200 metres well within its capabilities. In terms of costs they are un-beatable, yes there is downsides to it, but why fly a 4 place aircraft with one passenger !, and weight can be an issue.
Where in Scotland is your nearest airstrip? you would be more than welcome to have a seat on board with one of us guys in one of our weekend danders around Scotland or the UK.
All the best on whatever you decide.

Jon
Ikarus C42 912s
www.RuskeyAirfield.com

You've met Mr "Who ate all the Pies" then ? :E