Any Suggestions?

Hello Ian, Jim, Servus, Harry & Dave!

Having crewed in the Cherub nationals earlier in the year and seeing the Int Moths flying around they definitely look great fun! (But I do think a bit out of my league at the moment!!)

I sail at Cardiff - I'm a member of Cardiff Bay Yacht Club and they have RYA courses there and one of my friends is a 'teacher' - although it was him who at a presentation evening drunkenly suggested a Laser as they have a lot at the club. They are a friendly bunch and do hold a lot of races in Cardiff Bay - although the setup isn't perfect for dinghys it's close and it has water and (very variable) wind!

... So I'm kind of still in the dinghy sport (I am also the sailing Rep of Wales University Royal Navy Unit) - I've taken some people out in our Bosun dinghies a couple of times to teach them the basics of sailing but I think it's a lack of confidence and I really don't know my own ability - I need to get out on the water and practice (which is hard when you don't have your own boat and rely on others to sail).

Anyway, I'm definitely not rushing into any decisions and am noting all your suggestions down with the pros and cons. I think I'm going to have to get my contact book out and try to get some test sails of different dinghies! The Dinghy Show also sounds like a good opportunity to see and compare the different boats.

Thanks for the advice it's much appreciated

Liz

Hi Liz,

If you are just getting back into dinghy sailing, my advice would be to not buy a boat just yet.  You have not said where you you live or which, if any, club you will be sailing at.  I think that it's a good idea to find a club first and see what boats are sailed there. You could even get a crewing job for a while until you get back into the sport.  At your size and weight it should be easy to get a few trips out with people in different classes of boat.

If you don't belong to a club, it would be a good idea to visit as many clubs as possible in your area, at least once, and check out what they have to offer in terms of sailing, racing, classes, facilities, friendliness, training, social side, etc., etc.  It's also a good idea to check out how many boats are regularly racing and look at result sheets to get a broader idea on numbers and classes. You may find a class that appeals to you which is regularly sailed at the club, if you do find one then you will have someone to race against, give you advice, etc.

Another option, if you can afford it, would be to go on holiday to a place like Minorca Sailing where you could try lots of different boats and get instruction and support. Finally, if you can, try to visit The Dinghy Show at Alexander Palace in London on 5th or 6th March 2005, when you will get the chance to get up to date on all that is new in dinghy sailing and talk to people with similar interests. If you buy the Dinghy Show preview edition of Y & Y then you will get the chance to study what will be on display at the show before you go. The edition comes out about two or three weeks prior to the show.  Whatever you do, don't buy a boat, particularly a second hand one, without taking someone with you who is reliable and knowledgable about the class and can check the boat out and can give you sound advice before you commit yourself..

I hope that this helps.

Ian  (Yorkshire Dales S.C.)

Ooo - I am going to have to do some investigating and decision making over the next few months! I'm looking forward to that! (My experience with motorbikes is that I can only fit on 2 supersport bikes that don't have to be lowered by 10cm - my size is a real issue - so it's nice to have a choice of 3 or 4 dinghies!)

Price is also kind of an issue so if the Europes are coming down in price that's definitely a positive - although if the perfect dinghy is out there and I fall in love price doesn't matter soooo much! Thanks for all your replies