Capsize
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Beginner questions
Forum Discription: Advice for those who are new to sailing
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12950
Printed Date: 25 Jun 25 at 11:09pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Capsize
Posted By: pij27
Subject: Capsize
Date Posted: 03 Jan 18 at 1:21pm
|
Hello All, silly question probably, but here goes. I am looking at going into dinghy sailing, after a number of years away from the sport. All my previous experience is on yachts. The only thing that worries me about dinghy sailing is the risk of the capsize. Could you recommend types of dinghies to look for which are more stable? Or should I look for a small keelboat? Regards peter |
Replies:
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 03 Jan 18 at 1:59pm
| Its really not an issue to get worried about unless you are extremely unfit or limited in movement. We have trouble stopping the youngsters capsizing at every opportunity. |
Posted By: pij27
Date Posted: 03 Jan 18 at 2:11pm
| Thats good news, as I am mainly looking to use the dinghy for pottering and cruising, not racing. Most of what I have seen seems to be people pushing the boat to get the most from it. To further training, what courses do people recommend? Level 1, 2 & 3 or just the mid level 2? |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 03 Jan 18 at 2:24pm
|
Capsizing is not an issue in a typical 'round the cans' racer, it is definitely a bit more challenging in a Wayfarer or a trad style dinghy. Righting the boat and getting the water out is a much bigger undertaking. Thankfully, the kind of boat that makes recovering from a capsize difficult is usually pretty difficult to capsize in the first place. At my holiday club we have a relative beginner couple who bought a Wayfarer after less than a season with a Topaz and, another season on, I don't think they have ever capsized it despite sailing in some 'challenging' conditions. WRT courses I'd probably suggest going and talking to your local centre and try to get an assessment sail so they can see where you're at now and advise the best next step. ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: NickM99
Date Posted: 03 Jan 18 at 6:06pm
| This recent thread is relevant: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=12&title=choosing-a-boat |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 03 Jan 18 at 6:10pm
|
I suspect you may be referring to this thread http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12948&title=good-starter-boat-for-an-older-sailor" rel="nofollow - http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12948&title=good-starter-boat-for-an-older-sailor which pij27 (the OP of this one) started :)
------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: ColPrice2002
Date Posted: 04 Jan 18 at 9:06am
|
I'd seriously suggest signing up for RYA level 1 AND level 2.
Level 1 is basic knowledge and skills, level 2 puts a bit of a polish on them. Capsizing is one thing many of the older students worry about - until we do the practical. If you want to do more capsize practice, ask your instructor early on. We tend to do capsize practice at the close of a day, so students don't get too cold (boat ashore, hot shower, change, pack up boat). Masthead buoyancy is good. My Wanderer (14 ft version of Wayfarer) is not difficult to recover from a capsize single handed, but getting back in requires a bit of muscle power. Certainly, modern dinghies which self-drain are nicer after a capsize - and usually have a low transom to help re-entry! Colin |
Posted By: Tynesider
Date Posted: 04 Jan 18 at 7:37pm
|
Hello Peter
You do not say how old you are or size/weight, I am 72 and 95 kilo,after 20 years I moved from offshore sailing to dinghy sailing over a year ago and capsizing was also a concern especially for a beginner as dinghy sailing is nothing like offshore sailing. I tried various dinghies and ended up buying a 'Hartley 12'complete with a fixed masthead float, they are ideal for 'single handed sailing' but will take two no problem. they are very stable and forgiving and I get back aboard after capsizing through the 'open back', however as all things with experience you reduce the number of times you capsize 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/520096068366717/ Mike ------------- Archivist for the Colvic Watson Owners Group |
Posted By: pij27
Date Posted: 05 Jan 18 at 9:04am
|
Hello Mike, I am 50 and also about 95 kilos. My experience has been on large yachts, 77ft, 50ft and 32ft. So have no real experince on small dinghys, hence the issue of capsizing. Also from the responses think I should not look for too big a craft, as a majority of the sailing will be single handed with occassional two person sailing. Mainly will be me sailing to a different location and meeting people there or just having a drink and rest on land and then return. |
Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 05 Jan 18 at 9:59am
|
I would second the idea of doing an RYA level 1 and 2. However, if you are either joining a dinghy club, or sailing where you know people who sail dinghies, you might be able to find someone who would mentor you - take you out and show you how to right a capsize - either in a two person dinghy or in a single handed one with a RIB. By all means pick a dinghy that is stable and unlikely to capsize, but you should always plan for the possibility and only sensible way to do that is by doing it under supervised conditions and being show what to do. You will gain a lot of confidence from that, and then maybe you will be able to choose a dinghy based on a wider range of attributes and requirements rather than stability being the main issue. ------------- Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59 |