[Closed] Learning to sail

my bro in law has just done this at night school. it involved quite a bit of class work as well as the obvious practical stuff.
checking out the adult ed centres for suitable classes might be the way forward.

having said that, there may be more likelyhood of finding those sort of courses here because of our proximity to the sea, it may be different regionally.

Just go long to a failing club they will set you straight, had a few goes in a Pixo myself loads of fun and great to get you started.

try [url= http://www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining/Pages/FindATrainingCentre.aspx ]RYA[/url] for starters.

Have look around here
http://www.rya.org.uk

Most places you hire a boat from usually specify a mimimum level of qualification you need, mainly to get yourself out of trouble.

Sailing in a lake is very different to sailing in open water/sea due to the extra complications of tides and currents, as you could have a 5 nott wind taking you back to shore, against a 10 nott tide taking you out to sea.

Sign up to do RYA level 1/2
It'll get you practical experience out in a boat, and cover off all of the basic skills, such as turns, wind direction, and capcize drills, sail rigging.

Can't you make something out of traffic cones and just give it a go?

Ta chaps

TJ - what others have said re RYA training - it is very very good. I have sailed all my life, however my 16yr old daughter wanted to go the formal qualification route. She did the RYA training at local loch here in East Kilbride, over a few block weeks, now she has the competency ticket and recently joined a crew list at North Berwick, so she can get more dinghy experience there.

I think there is an RYA school at Port Edgar ?

Aye there is a school at port edgar. Rubbishy website tho so no answers to basic questions.

How long would be realistic to get trained to the point where I could hire a dingy on the firth of forth? 3 days? 3 weeks?

Ta

TJ - the RYA training goes from stages 1 through to about 5. You can do first 3 as a 5 dayblock from memory and at that stage you are able to hire a solo dinghy. Once you do the next 2 stages, which again can probably be done in a 20-30 hr block, you can take a 2 or 3 man boat out. The detail of wht is covered in each module should be on the RYA website. We have access to family yacht 😆 but often hire a Laser on Loch Morlich when staying up at Coylumbridge - great fun up there too !

some more info here :

[url] http://www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining/courses/dinghymultikeel/Pages/dinghyintro.aspx [/url]

Ta

I fancy the idea of a week at Loch Morlich

TJ,

Almost all sailing schools in the UK will be operating as part of the RYA training schemes. They've changed the name of the dinghy courses in the last 10 yrs or so, but essentially the dinghy training works like this:

Level 1 - Beginner's / Crew level. You'd be able to sail around in circles (probably with some intention to where you are going) but not with much style or control and minimal experience dealing with problems - and probably not able to rig / set up the dinghy without supervision. Course is often run as a 2 day course. Most places wouldn't rent you a dinghy for "unsupervised" sailing with just a Level 1 cert.

Level 2 - The "standard" level for competent helmsen, all of Level 1, plus ability to deal with most of your own cock ups, rig most standard (simple) boats etc. Much more technique to your sailing. Again its a whole weekend, or you'll find people running 1+2 as a 5 day course (often residential).

There are then a whole series of other courses, and if you are talking about setting off on your own to cruise without the "supervision" of a rescue boat you would probably want to do level 3 and then the specific cruising course (used to be called level 5) - or spend at least a season after the level 2 honing your skills and doing some basic training in passage planning. There are other options once you get to this level such as catamaran and race training too.

Beware that a lot of courses will be mostly teenagers. If you are the sort of person who would find it depressing to be constantly at the back of a class of people half your age then you might want to find an "adult" class!

If the training is undertaken on inland water (e.g. loch morlich) the certificate will be "endorsed" to say so, which may make sea schools less inclined to hire you their kit! More importantly you'll have little if any training on tide related issues and so I'd say if you plan to sail in the sea, learn in the sea.

There's more than just P.E. and Loch Morlich around though. Low Port centre in linlithgow run courses, the sailing school at tighnabruich would be a great place to spend a weekend learning, and Loch Inch run courses too - and there are many more... beware most probably don't go all the way up to the cruising course on a regular basis. For that you probably need a big school like Port Edgar or Cumbrae. Don't forget clubs too - there are plenty of clubs around who will run courses and lend boats - although often there is a racing emphasis.

Yes some (but not all) schools will rent boats. I know P.E. do, I think LowPort still do too (but there may need to be some other water based activities on for safety reasons). But most would want at least RYA Level 2, and its unlikely they'd let you tow the boat away. I suspect even if you went to PE and said you were going to sail much East of Hound Point there would probably be some raised eyebrows (or at least more detailed questions). If you want leisurely dinghy sailing in spectacular scenery then look at Linnhe Marine (just north of Port Appin) - they have boats they rent, no idea what qualifications they expect.

If you are planning to sail away from a centre's own rescue cover then beware that many boats won't be well equipped for this and you would be well advised to get some flares, a VHF radio (which technically means more training/cost), as well as a dry suit / wet suit, decent compass, possibly a handheld gps etc. You could easily spend £500!

The good news is most centres will run 1 hour open days or taster sessions.

In terms of regulation there are none! Essentially anyone can buy a boat and head to sea. This may of course not be very wise! If you are planning on cruising around rather than racing then make sure you buy a sensible boat for this as many dinghies are targetted at racing and so will be a bit flighty/unstable. My experience would be to avoid wooden boats unless you like DIY more than sailing.

If you did a Level 1&2 course then bought something really stable like a dracombe or maybe a topper cruz then you could probably gain some experience cruising under your own steam or pay an instuctor for a day for some "own boat" training to focus on your interest which may work out better than going through the more advanced RYA channels?

A couple of final thoughts:

The great days for sailing are usually great days for biking. Unpleasant days for biking are rarely good fun sailing.

There aren't many truely brilliant dinghy cruising days in Scotland - no wind is a real problem for sailing, and happens more often than you might think! You really want something around F2-4 for pleasant relaxed cruising. My experience is that often comes with Rain up here! You'll need to quite confident to go out in > F4 without safety cover and anything beyond F6 is crazy!

Now if you really want to see how far you could go in a little dinghy - you need to find a copy of Margaret Dye's book called something like "Dinghy Cruising".

Hope that helps!

Consider these guys as well; www.minorcasailing.com. Pick an offer week outside the school holidays.

They are good because its a nice part of minorca (in the north), the water is warm, they teach at all levels and have really good kit.

Typical day consists of 2 hours group tuition in the morning, 2 hours tuition in the afternoon and then the best bit which is two 1 hour one to one slots with the boat and instructor of choice. So if you want to go out for an hour and crew a high performance boat for a whiz around you can, or spend an hour intensively learning a particular aspect you can.

Used to go there every year when I sailed.

EDIT: PM me if want any more advice 😀

Agree with Minorca sailing, not cheap but very good.

One of the things with dinghy sailing is that after you've done level 1/2 is that you're essentially left to your own devices. Most people go down the racing route (as I did) and you'll then get better with race training and get used to sailing on the sea by going to events around the country until where you gain the experiance in a fairly controled enviroment with safty boats etc if you get into real trouble. Mostly people will join a local club (in your case I'd reccomend a sea sailing club) where you'll be able to sail on Sat / Sun with safty boats about to gain experiance. However, most clubs assume you'll own a boat. Basicly, it's not easy if you dont follow the established route
1) RYA 1/2 course
2) Buy Boat
3) Join club
4) Start racing
It's worth is however, sailing is good fun and with the racing, the social scene is also great.

flippinheckler - Member
Just go long to a failing club they will set you straight

I did my level 2 at port edgar, cost me £90ish and took me 5 days to do. They run courses at weekends too. This is the minimum level for hiring dinghies.

Strathclyde Country Park.
The Rangers will train you on the RYA scheme.

Or based on the west coast
http://www.stramash.org.uk/

Your other alternative is to buy a 2nd hand Topper, stick it on the roof rack, buy the Topper book and some basic essentials and DIY. Start on a small loch and build up with experience. An idiot can sail them and they're great fun and reasonably safe as they're a doddle to upright. Most lochs have public launching sites.

* awaits "towing a dinghy with a tandem" thread *

Awaits cheers from the STW massive when TJ sails off into the sunset. 😉

Thanks very much - Poly especially for having the patience to type all that out. Ta

No thanks to Druidh or anokdale!

so now - whats the lightest boat and trailer to tow behind my bike? Thats an issue -not owning a car I can't see my buying a boat - I just want to be able to hire one now and then

I believe Surf Mat may have some experience in this area. Why not leave out a biscuit and see if you can tempt him back?

TJ - I will teach you. Come for a couple of weekends here. I have access to all sorts of boats.

email me 🙂

Matt - ta muchly

will do

TJ have fun with the sailing

I was a bit of a dinghy nut as a teenager. So got quite good. I'm rusty now but I hire occasionally and its a good laugh

If you can afford the time off go on a course some where nice and get loads of time on the water. Nielson do some good holidays and you might get some biking in as well.

I think you will need quite alot of time on the water to get to be happy cruising in a wide range of conditions. I don't think thats a major negative as the rearning is fun. You'll be sailing quite quickly but thats not the same as sailing with out say rescue boat cover

Hiring a dinghy for cruising can be difficuilt. The RYA like operators to have a defined sailing area. Which isn't small in terms learning but its not a creuising ground. Some lakes will let you go anywhere in the lake which can be quite a big area. But twice on the sea I've felt a bit restricted.

On the isle of scillies they operate a sort of sell and buy back for a week which gets round this. See if you can find some where in Scotland that does the same

Port Edgar is an ace place to learn.
As has been said - minimum level 2 to hire a boat, most centres will be the same.
The yacht club are always looking for people to crew both racing and cruising. There is a wide range of members from inexperienced sailors to competitive racers to world-wide cruisers for whatever level or type of sailing you are looking for.
Other local clubs are at granton or cramond.

http://www.peyc.org.uk/
http://www.rfyc.org/
http://www.fcyc.org.uk/
http://www.cramondboatclub.org.uk/

good luck
Iain

Again Ta folks

Its this summers project I think

Enjoy Sir, it's good fun

TJ,

If you were always sailing in the same area (e.g. Firth of Forth) you don't actually need a car - you could keep the boat at P.E. (or one of the clubs etc) and probably have enough cruising to keep you busy for a couple of seasons without needing to go further afield.

You can launch and recover most smallish dinghies without a car, assuming there are a couple of you. However I can see the appeal of hire.

cool! good luck and go for it!

What poly said.

Where are you based TJ?

My advice would be to join your local dinghy sailing club then you can learn by going on a weeks course which has been said above to do your RYA2, plus you can put your name about that you are a willing crew member for racing events. There is usually someone willing to take a novice out as crew so that they can get a sail. Being a crew member on a dinghy is a very dynamic position to be in, you have to handle the sails, trim the boat, work the centreboard, rig the boat etc. It can be a quick and cheap way to learn how to sail very quickly. You do have to be prepared to suffer being told what to do as crew however, and some helmsman can be a bit "brusque".

Its a great sport, I am sure you will like it.

PS I am a member of Annandale in Dumfriesshire which does a great one weeks course in the summer for a modest fee and plenty adults usually attend that course.

pps Be competent before you sail solo in the Forth, it is a busy shipping channel and can have some serious tides as well. Dalgety Bay is also an alternative to Port Edgar, it has a great wee sailing club.

The facilities at the national sailing centre on Cumbrae are really good, really helpful and patient instructors. Tide is fairly strong there too so most stuff afterwards feels fairly simple. I went out on a dart 16 by the end of my first week. Planing a cat or fast dinghy is a great feeling, pretty similar to "the zone" when riding.

Scotabroad - Edinburgh based

TJ,

The club I belong to is not RYA affiliated and runs a course called 'Taste of Sailing' in the Spring and Autumn (if they were RYA affiliated they wouldn't be allowed!). Unfortunately it's run over 4 weekends and is based in the West Mids. but the reason I mention it is that there may be similar activities offered by non-affiliated clubs in the Edinburgh area.

There seems to be a universal law ensuring that sailing club websites are below par, so can I second the suggestion and phone the commodore of a local club and offering yourself as crew - I'm sure someone will snap you up.

BTW don't assume that 'crew' is a less skilled job than helm; it can take years to learn to crew properly, it's just that most people buy a boat so they can sail when they want, but then find out that there's an essential component missing!

Just to warn you, I have my own GP14 and have found that the idyllic idea of sailing the coastal waters of the UK took a couple of years to realise, and that being confined to in-shore waters can get dull without racing. However, you might find that you're straight into coastal waters living where you do.

If you want some more advice then I'm happy to help (e-mail in profile) I may be able to put you in contact with some GP14 owners north of the border.

Good luck - I'm sure you'll have fun learning a new skill.

Ben

Again Ta chaps

I(ts a bit of a dream - both of us read and loved Swallows and Amazons as a kid and last year we met folk sailing wayfarers round mull which looked like a real adventure - sort of singlepeed fully rigid equivalent I guess.

I want to be good enough to hire a boat and have a fun day out - or even to explore the firth of forth. Picnic on inchcolm island?

Anyway the helpful responses on this thread have given me some info to go on and hopefully this year we can do it.

Thanks again.

TJ, at last you see sense and join the sailing classes! Marvellous!

Can I recommend Neilson here? Nice summer holiday in the Med with all the tuition and support you could ever want to learn to sail. Some great riding and ice cold beer as well. My tip would be the Anastasia at Nea Skioni. Really easy water to learn on, and good winds later in the afternoon as/when you progress.

They'll get you to your RYA Level 1 in a week. And you'll love it!

*Ponders getting TJ to come and crew on a friend's yacht this summer at Cowes Week.....*

TJ I also remembered, if you are on the east side of Edinburgh East Lothian Yacht Club at North Berwickis a very active dignhy club with lots of sailing and races, plus you take a spin around the islands there, even out to Bass Rock.

They are running a number of summer adult sailing courses, please see attached link.

[url= http://www.elyc.org.uk/Default.aspx?pageId=867576 ]East Lothian Sailing courses[/url]

TeeJay - just do what you normally do - Google and Wiki the topic and profess a deep knowledge of the subject! 😀

Depends entirely on how long you want to take and how much you want to spend!

As Ben said, the best way of learning is to go to a local sailing club, pimp yourself as a crew to start with. Generally people are desperate for crew ( me included B14 if you are keen) and its totally free and you can do it when you want.

I know it is all about having certificates in the world today, experience is what counts. Here is my opinion, I am a dinghy instructor, that said this is my opinion and I am not saying it is the best way.

-Go to a local club and crew for a bit.
-Joint the club, normally cheap for small clubs.
-Clubs will rent out dinghies to members, generally all you have to do is show certs or prove you are not a fool and they will give it to you.
- Buy all the RYA log book off the net.
- Practice all the manoeuvres ( which you will have done crewing) and learn the theory.
- If you need help doing something, just ask anyone they will be happy to help
- Final step - When you are confident that you can do all the above.

Buy one of the many instructors at the club a beer in return for testing you. They can sign it all off.

Sorted.

Lots of good advice here and sounds like plenty of local opportunities. Tiution as a start is deffo the best way forward. One to one the best if you can get it. Having your own boat is then the best way to learn. You can base it at a local club so once its there really dont need a car (costs on top of the boat for me at my local pond was £100 pa to keep the boat and about £50 insurance pa). Worth visiting local clubs and chatting to the members.

Your idea for pootling is ideal. I've sailed loads of big and small boats all over the world and one of the best trips I ever did was 3 days Camping & Sailing out of a Wayfarer (google them) on Lochs Linhe and Sheil.

CFH; Nielson are ok but no where near Minorca for quality of staff, tuition, boats and sailing area. Certainly Minorca are worth the bit extra expense.