Forum menu
So what options are there for renting a dingy?
I don't have anywhere to keep one and I'm more interested as a leisure activity than seriously.
I looked at this (a bit) before but it all seemed like you need certification to rent and I really can't be arsed. I was sailing dingies from 7 or 8 to 13-14 and just took out a big Kat with my brother a couple of weeks ago.. and much as I get it might be techy for someone never done it before it was like riding a bike.
My club rents them.. mainly RS Fleets (Zaps/Varios/Fevas/Ventures/Laser2000) for about £40per day.
First race yesterday. A solid 7th out of 7 with probably half a dozen capsizes.
7th out of 7? Congrats on the first step!
I've been sailing for years and years, but not competitively until about 3 years ago. In 3 years I've made steady progress from last in every race to about 2/3rds down the fleet. It's definitely one of those sports that you have to work at to improve. I even bought a Gopro to film myself so I could see where I'm going wrong. Simple stuff like being smoother on tacks make a huge difference - and makes it much less likely to fluff it up that one time (you know - that one time that happens 2 or 3 times a race and costs you 5 places!!)
Keep going - racing is the only way to really improve IMO.
Haha, been there......
Next tips:
1) do not underestimate fitness. The most experienced guy in the club will be going half the speed of a spotty teenager because he isnt hiking as hard.
2) get a decent book on laser sailing and pick one bit of more advanced technique to practice each day. There really isnt a huge ammount of physical stuff to learn, its mostly stringing it together whilst exhausted (see point 1) and making tactical decisions.
First race yesterday. A solid 7th out of 7 with probably half a dozen capsizes.
Whoop 👍🤪🤪
Gybing in a bit of breeze ???
If so, grab the main by the traveller and fling it over your head but don’t let it all the way out.. keep a good arm full for the pump.... then let go.
Awesome 👍
Thanks for the words of encouragement guys. Capsizes weren’t just limited to gybing, I think I got the full set, including what felt like a massive wipeout on a run downwind. Even Managed a few during the day without getting wet. I’m only about 75kgs, and reckon I need to eat some more pies to help balance the boat. I’ve been recommended the boat whisperer Cds ??
Boat whisperer vids are good, but the temptation is to try and do all of the tips at once. It’s best to work on getting something right consistently and then move in IMO.
75Kg is ample for a laser... You just need to work harder.
Basically the harder you hike the fast you'll go!
Wiping out downwind: board up too far or main/vang eased too much. If you let the leach of the sail (at the top) get too far in front of the mast you'll enter death toll territory.... Apply a bit more vang (if you're easing it downwind) or don't sheet out fully.
This is a bit of a mad old long shot, but is anyone or does anyone know anyone interested in crewing a Scorpion at a club in Dunford Bridge (near Sheffield, Manchester and Huddersfield)?
Now I'm in Scotland my dad is left crewless and would like someone who has a bit of an idea about what they're doing to go in the front of the boat for club sailing.