Good Starter Boat for an Older Sailor

   I'll back the idea of following the club classes. One club near here only allows certain classes so if you don't have one of those, you're out. Most clubs have a selection of classes to suit a range of tastes from family plodder to speed machine. Probably there will be a few boats for sale and once you fancy something more exciting you can probably trade up within the club.

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snowleopard Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 02 Oct 17 Location: Cornwall Online Status: Offline Posts: 66	Post Options Post Reply Quote snowleopard Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Good Starter Boat for an Older Sailor Posted: 01 Apr 18 at 2:38pm
	I'll back the idea of following the club classes. One club near here only allows certain classes so if you don't have one of those, you're out. Most clubs have a selection of classes to suit a range of tastes from family plodder to speed machine. Probably there will be a few boats for sale and once you fancy something more exciting you can probably trade up within the club.
	One hull good, two hulls better.

pij27 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 27 Jul 10 Location: Ryde / Tilbury Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote pij27 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Feb 18 at 8:17am
	There appears to be a number of sailing clubs on the isle of wight, anyone have any recommendations or experience of them please?

Marinesupplies Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 18 Location: Preston Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Marinesupplies Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 18 at 9:17am
	Its the best way choose the club as they have local knowledge and sail boats that are more suitable for the local conditions. It also helps to integrate into the club and build confidence with helpful guidance. If they hire club boats its a great way to trail the club out with little commitment. Most clubs do the RYA Push the 'Boat out Day' or 'Try Sailing' free sessions in May/June. Regards Dave

pij27 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 27 Jul 10 Location: Ryde / Tilbury Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote pij27 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 18 at 7:46am
	Sounds like a good plan, find a local club and sail what they sail. Maybe hire a club boat before investing in my own

Marinesupplies Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 18 Location: Preston Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Marinesupplies Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Feb 18 at 11:03am
	Might be worth thinking about the location you fancy sailing in first and where you are going to store/moor it. If you intend to join a sailing club choose this first its best to get a boat that is already in the club and get their advice and local knowledge. They might have a fleet, members will help more and if it does not work out or you find its not for you chances are someone local will buy it off you. This narrows the options down. I hope this helps. Regards

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3401	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 18 at 10:00am
	That probably sums it up nicely I'd add that the buoyancy must be built in and that you can have a smaller suit of sails than the standard 'racing rig' (I used to use a suit of Firefly sails on an Enterprise for teachingg my sons).
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pij27 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 27 Jul 10 Location: Ryde / Tilbury Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote pij27 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 18 at 8:59am
	All good advice, so generally a good stable boat for two people is fairly heavy to manoever on the slip and hard standing by one. Watch sail area and make sure boat has sufficient additional boyancy, including a mast head bag, to help in any capsize issues.

ColPrice2002 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote ColPrice2002 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 18 at 7:15am
	Couple of further thoughts:- National sailing centre Weymouth had a couple of davit style cranes for launching - works with heavy dinghies and small keelboats. Some clubs will also have a winch at the top of the ramp. Previous owner of my Wanderer used to tow down to Falmouth and sail single handed. The Wanderer has roller jib furling and slab reefing for the main so you can reduce sail area by 30% (roll jib) in about 30 seconds. Then reduce main by about 20% with reefing (reducing the height of the sail and the leverage) If you're cruising offshore (as opposed to racing), think of the old adage "reef often, reef early". You take control, not allowing the wind make youjump about. Colin

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3420	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jan 18 at 5:38pm
	GP 14, really stable, good for cruising, still need two people on land though, you can always get a local engineering company to laser cut you a steel centreboard for extra stability, get it galvanised. Edited by 423zero - 04 Jan 18 at 5:50pm

Jack Sparrow Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jack Sparrow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jan 18 at 5:36pm
	Have a look at a Weta Dinghy. Small Trimaran. Fast (but fine for a novice), light and single-handable, and will happily take passengers. https://www.wetamarine.com/the-boat/ Edited by Jack Sparrow - 04 Jan 18 at 5:38pm
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