UK yachting company outpaces rivals

Over the last four years Solent-based Ondeck Sailing (ondeck.co.uk) has transformed itself from a one-boat sea school into a multi-faceted venture with bases not just at Ryde, Portsmouth and Gosport, but on the Caribbean Islands of Antigua and St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Today Ondeck owns a total of 11 boats and with 40 full-time employees it has considerably expanded its portfolio of services.

Services include:

• Corporate Charter, both general and at major events such as the Little Britain
Challenge and Cowes Week
• Team development
• Bareboat and skippered private charter
• Adventure sailing including transatlantic crossings
• Caribbean Charters and racing

A hallmark of Ondeck’s business model has been innovation, with products such as:

• Transatlantic Adventure Rally – a 3 leg rally between Portugal and Barbados
• 2007 Cricket World Cup charter
• Ocean Yachtmaster courses

As Managing Director Mike Williams explains,

“The sea change came about when Ondeck bought four Farr 65s. These were boats built for the Millennium Round the World Race and offer a unique experience to cruise on and race a true race boat. The Farrs catapulted Ondeck into the corporate market. They are extremely popular. Apart from three weeks downtime for refitting, the Farrs are in use year round”

Sea School Thriving

Ondeck still operates a well-respected sea school, which has expanded from 200 students in 2003 Ondeck to cater upwards of 1100 students during 2007. To cope with demand Ondeck recently acquired two Dehler 39s to compliment its Bénéteau 40.7s.