Returning to sailing, 80kgs

   Hi everyone
We used to own a family Mirror which I have sailed in the sea and on lakes (15 years ago).

I'm now looking to start sailing again. I never had much (any) formal tuition, so considering doing RYA 1 course this weekend - does anyone know just how basic this is?

Main question is what would make a good solo boat. I'm 80kg, quite fit. I liked having 2/3 sails on the Mirror, but have no sailing friends yet and am guessing it's easier to turn up and sail a solo boat than try and organise crew.

I live near Brent reservoir, which has two sailing clubs on it (Seahorse and Wembley). I don't know what the difference is between them. I read somewhere that you can't use trapeezes on this lake (I don't know how anyway).

Sorry to ramble, hopefully there's some information in there which might let someone help me.

Many thanks

Will

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Will already taken Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 27 Apr 11 Location: NW11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Will already taken Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Returning to sailing, 80kgs Posted: 27 Apr 11 at 10:50am
	Hi everyone We used to own a family Mirror which I have sailed in the sea and on lakes (15 years ago). I'm now looking to start sailing again. I never had much (any) formal tuition, so considering doing RYA 1 course this weekend - does anyone know just how basic this is? Main question is what would make a good solo boat. I'm 80kg, quite fit. I liked having 2/3 sails on the Mirror, but have no sailing friends yet and am guessing it's easier to turn up and sail a solo boat than try and organise crew. I live near Brent reservoir, which has two sailing clubs on it (Seahorse and Wembley). I don't know what the difference is between them. I read somewhere that you can't use trapeezes on this lake (I don't know how anyway). Sorry to ramble, hopefully there's some information in there which might let someone help me. Many thanks Will

andymck Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Dec 06 Location: Stamford Online Status: Offline Posts: 397	Post Options Post Reply Quote andymck Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 11 at 10:58am
	At the Welsh Harp they limit the types of boats you can sail. If my memory is correct the only single hander is the laser. Andy
	Andy Mck

bert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 23 Apr 05 Location: norwich usually Online Status: Offline Posts: 584	Post Options Post Reply Quote bert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 11 at 11:24am
	If you can,go to each sailing club & speak to the members,see for yourself what the club offers & feel the vibe,One may "feel" alot more suited to you then the other,also you will see the class`s that other people sail at the clubs & talk to the members.
	Phantom 1181 AC-227 IC 304 blaze / halo 586

GybeFunny Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 Oct 09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 403	Post Options Post Reply Quote GybeFunny Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 11 at 1:35pm
	I used to be a member of Wembley SC. You are limited to certain classes on the welsh harp. If you want to sail a GP14 then join BTYC/Seahorse and sail on Saturday when they get good turnouts, if you want to sail a merlin, MRX, Laser, Rs200 then join Wembley and sail on Sunday mornings. The only single hander allowed is the laser, there is a good fleet that race on Sundays (15+ boats). The club also does training and new members clubs to help introduce you to the racing. At 80kg you are a good weight for the laser so my reccommendation is go down on Sunday lunchtime, watch a bit of the race and speak to a laser sailor afterwards and go from there. In my opinion there is no point in your travelling further to a larger lake, as a beginner a larger lake will be wasted on you. I say stay local as that gives you more opportunities to get on the water.

GybeFunny Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 Oct 09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 403	Post Options Post Reply Quote GybeFunny Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 11 at 1:38pm
	I forgot to mention Wembley SC own some lasers that are free for members to use. I say join Wembley, try and get a crewing job on a merlin/rs200 for a few weeks to get your hand in and then try out a club laser.....

Will already taken Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 27 Apr 11 Location: NW11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Will already taken Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 11 at 1:54pm
	Thanks everyone. It seems given my location a Laser is the natural choice. Has anyone done RYA level 1 here? It's £190 to do at Wembley, I'm keen to mix in and meet people, and always like learning from others, but if there's not much time spent on the water I would be a bit frustrated.

rogerd Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 25 May 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1076	Post Options Post Reply Quote rogerd Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 11 at 2:55pm
	If you used to sail a mirror and were used to three sails you will probably find RYA 1 pretty basic. I returned to sailing after 20years and its like riding a bike you dont forget how just need to freshen up the technique.

rogerd Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 25 May 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1076	Post Options Post Reply Quote rogerd Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 11 at 2:58pm
	I meant to add save yourself £190 and get on th water you will find you havent forgotten much.

GybeFunny Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 Oct 09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 403	Post Options Post Reply Quote GybeFunny Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 11 at 4:49pm
	I agree with rogerd, get a crewing job for a few weeks and observe what your helm is doing, then maybe get your helm to crew for you in one of the club RS Visions as it will be more forgiving than whatever boat you end up crewing. Then maybe try a club laser in one of the new members club afternoon sessions and then you can probably progress to joining in with the racing on a suitable light wind day. They have a busy wednesday racing series so you could pop along tonight if you wanted a look.

Menace Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 16 Oct 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 296	Post Options Post Reply Quote Menace Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 11 at 5:28pm
	Your level one is basically a quick familiarisation of a boat. That first sail sort of thing. Save £190 and go straight on to a level two course if you really want to go on a course. There may be some merit in doing so as a quick structured refresher, especially if you plan to sail single-handers.