Bookings

All bookings should be made by calling 07 88 99 70 70 2

This line is open for business usually between 8.30am and 5.30pm daily, seven days a week, and for all the weeks of the year with the exceptions of Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.  During the summer months the line can be open up until 10pm but it is advisable to ring during the daytime hours.  At all other times or when circumstance requires it, you will be able to leave a message and your contact number on the answering service and we will call you as soon as we are able.

The service is free of charge for all and you will normally be picked up from Poole Quay Boat Haven which is almost opposite the mini roundabout on Poole Quay, at the time you require.  You should note that ‘Knoticat’ is generally moored at Cobbs Quay Marina in Holes Bay and as such is restricted in her movements by needing to travel through Poole Lifting Bridge before and after your planned sailing.  The daily bridge lifting times are; 09.30; 10.30; 12.30; 14.30; 16.30; and 18.30.  This means that typical sailing times are e.g. 10.30am until 14.30pm or 12.30pm until 16.30pm etc.  Of course any number of combinations is possible, and these can be arranged by calling the number above.

Once aboard ‘Knoticat’ first time sailors will be required to join the Sports Forum for the Disabled’s Sailing Club which is currently free of charge, read our Legal Disclaimers and sign our book acknowledging your acceptance of our terms, conditions and disclaimers.  Following this you will be issued with a Sailing Club Number and commencing in 2008 a Membership Card, after which you will be free to commence your journey.

The vessel can only sail with a maximum of nine persons excluding crew, at any one time.  There is no restriction on the number of persons allowed to accompany a disabled client whether carers, friends or family up to the maximum of nine but once a specific number is booked and accepted, you should not exceed that number without checking if it is possible beforehand.  You should also note that with a full vessel, i.e. nine plus crew it becomes almost impossible to hoist the sails safely, and that under these circumstances the vessel may be, at the skipper’s discretion, sailed with the engines alone.

All the necessary safety equipment is provided by us, though you should bring suitable clothing and headgear for the days expected conditions.

During the very busy June – September bookings are restricted by individuals and organisations to two sailings per month in order to allow as many people as possible to enjoy the experience.

When your booking is made you will be required to leave a contact number allowing the skipper of your planned sailing to be able to contact you, generally the evening before, in the event of him needing to cancel your trip due to either vessel problems or adverse weather conditions.  In the event of this happening, we will do all in our power to re-book your party aboard ‘Knoticat’ as soon as humanly possible after the cancellation.  Details of the restrictive scenarios can be obtained when making your booking.

If you know who your skipper will be on the day of your sailing and urgently need to make contact with him the relevant details can be found on the ‘Contact Us’ page.

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