Confidence on the West!
Our commercially coded vessel "Confidence" is for 2024 being based in the picturesque seaside town of Oban.
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We plan to host a good number of planned sailing trips around the local area as well as joining in with activities with the Oban Sailing Club.
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From picnics at local beauty spots to the excitement of local regattas, we will have something for everyone and of course it will all be for FREE!
Fancy a holiday on Confidence in 2025?
We know for many families with autism that going on holiday has its challenges, everything from travel to the cost poses its issues - so we want to make it easier. Why not come and have a holiday on board Confidence?!
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Being based from Oban allows you to choose and explore some of the most beautiful spots in the world. You can leave Oban and head up the Sound of Mull into the gem that is Lochaline which has a sheltered marina with showers, toilets and laundry facilities.
Or continue further up the sound to the iconic Tobermory home of Balamory where you can see the homes of PC Plum, Miss Hoolie, Josie Jump and many other of the characters or if you're an adult, relax in the famous Mishnish bar with a pint of your favourite beer.
Lochaline
Ardfern
Tobermory
Puilladobhrain
Or if you'd rather not go north then head south! Sail down the tidal waters of the Sound of Luing and through the Dorus Mor (Gaelic for the big gate) and up Loch Craignish to the beautiful little village of Ardfern where you can indulge in the comforts of the Galley of Lorne hotel or enjoy a family walk over the hill to Craobh Haven.
And no trip would be complete without a visit to our most favourite anchorage in the world - Puilladobhrain, pool of the otter. Just a very short sail from Oban, Puilladobhrain offers peace and tranquillity whilst swinging gently from the anchor. You can enjoy a BBQ ashore, keep a watch out for otters, see some spectacular sunsets or enjoy the walk through the wilderness to the Bridge over the Atlantic where the Tigh-Na-Truish inn serves excellent home cooked meals and drinks.
How does a holiday on Confidence work?
To organise a holiday on Confidence requires planning from both ourselves and from you.
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For you - you need to email us with when you would like your holiday, where you would like to visit, how many days and also how many of you. You also need to inform us of any dietary requirements, any medical information or behaviours that we need to be made aware of and also whether you intend to book your own accommodation ashore at each of your places to visit or not. Please note we can only take a family of 4 max so for example Mum, Dad, Brother and Sister or Mum, Brother and Cousin etc.
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For us - we need to organise a volunteer skipper and crew member with the relevant experience and qualifications who are available for the time required to run this trip. In line with our safeguarding policy, both skipper and crewmember undergo a full PVG check. We also need to plan each of your visits to each port such as tidal conditions, weather, sheltered anchorages and marinas. We also need to ensure that the boat is fully prepared and maintenance given before each voyage.
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What is included and Not Included
Each holiday includes provision of lifejackets on board which must be worn at all times, 4 comfortable berths, USB plug sockets, Breakfast and Lunch, fuel and marina and mooring costs and a welcome pack for all on board.
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What is not included is wet weather gear, sleeping bags, accommodation ashore and evening meals however this will be exempt if we are stopping at a anchorage or mooring buoy with no local hostelries nearby.
COST
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Autism on the Water is fully committed to ensuring that all trips are free of charge and we will endeavour to do the same for our new sailing holidays. However we still have to remember that we are still a charitable organisation and need to consider our own costs when running each sailing trip. If you are in a financial position to do so, there is a recommended voluntary contribution per holiday of £150, which will be particularly appreciated in cases where there are overnight stops to cover marina fees and fuel used on the voyage.
But do not fear! Anyone who is not in a position to pay the contribution will not be excluded from the program. At the end of the day, we would rather you came sailing with us than not! We want to make sailing accessible to all with autism plus their families/carers.
