Relationships are all about commitment, but when it comes to Sailing that is also a commitment. The question is how to Sail regularly and how to keep the other half happy also. This could be added as being a sore head issue!

Does anyone have a secret way in dealing with this please share, I'm sure you'll be helping more than just myself!

Encourage other half to take up sailing!

Good Luck!

Dongle

Dongle, do you have another half? (sorry if a personal question) what is your secret, what happens if the other person does sail just not as good as you?

Oh I think it's a case for the big heave ho. You can't let relationships get in the way of a good time on the water. (Hope my wife doesn't read this )

Do you think I'd make a good marriage guidence counciller?

mmmmmmm.. I'm sure counciller is spelt wrong.

a) race together

b) race against each other

c) race different classes

d) sail together without racing

e) sail at the same time in different boats.

Start at the top: and when the relationship can stand it no longer, move down one step.

In the 28 years we have been together, we have done a, c and d. We are now back again to a), with the kids doing c).

That is a great way to put it, racing together is good it's when you get to the point of who knows best....!

I do have another half - who is most importantly ... fantastically tolerant. She is reluctantly land stricken due to a nasty chest infection but the instructional programme will commence shortly!

(we only moved back to the Solent a year ago after many years in the wilderness)

RGDS

Dongle

Well you could always be lucky like me and half you other half (re)introduce you back to sailing. She can't really complain!!

She won't ever crew for me becuase I am too "balls out" when it comes to racing for her (scared her just a tad when we sailed together once windy Saturday afternoon. She said never again!

However she does crew in a Scorpion and we have some good battles out on the water (I bought her helms old Laser). We can both helm, she is even threatening to have a go in a Laser Radial, could get interesting if she gets good!

My advice (given the couples I have seen sail together) is don't sail with a partner, I am sure others have their own point of view.

Paul

Anne, so much of the answer here depends on your current level of commitment and future aspirations.  I used to be a VERY serious sailor back in the 60's and 70's, emigrating to USA back in the 80's .  When I met my wife I had just started to windsurf and we would head down to the beach throughout summer.  She tried the sport but was not very skilled and was not a strong swimmer, fearing the falls in the deep stuff (especially with the rig on her head!). So we bought a 30 foot sail boat with an inboard diesel (Ron Holland half tonner) and started sailing together.  Without boring you any more, my wife now runs the foredeck on my 36 foot yacht 'Savage' and loves it.  We've been together now for almost 20 years.

Larger boats can handle some average talent.  Dinghies and windsurfers are less forgiving.  So my advice is, expand your thinking if sailing and relationships need to co-exist.  

We've a number of examples from real life but most important - join a sailing club with a good social life and you'll both get involved however much or little you sail.

Examples:

Most couples sail together. Try not to argue but if thats a problem both sail but with differrent people eg another arguing couple. If you have to argue sail to the far end of the lake and argue out of earshot!

Sail singly and partner does shore based activities or race box or rescue boat but still involved in club. Dog walking and fishing are also options here.

One friend sailed regularly and his wife was never seen until she decided to take up sailing, joined a club beginners course and now races his laser so regularly that hubby needs to buy himself another one!

Sail singly and let the partner get on with their own hobby.

Lose the partner and come to the club as a divorced person. Sail regularly with another and form a relationship from the sailing.

Sail singly or together, meet someone new and form a new relationship - given today's divorce rates this is quite common in clubs.

Whatever you do - enjoy it!

The best option in my opinion is if your partener / parent (in my case) doesn't sail, but injoys the social side then thats perfect: your trolly waiting for you along with food, then a long hot shower whilst your boat  is packed up and on the road trailor! if only it worked like that!

But do you trust someone who does not sail to pack away your beloved toy?