From the Pond to the Sea

May not be entirely relevant but if you go sailing at sea without rescue cover It is good to sail with a buddy, also carry a waterproof VHF, mobile signals can be dodgy offshore, and it is easier to operate a VHF than fumble with a mobile phone

Originally posted by Gordon 1430 launching and recovering can be tricky at some venues, you may have to get wet! I know Frensham guys launch and return to pontoons so expect to stay dry all the time. Bit of a shock for them having to wade in to launch. Coming ashore in waves can be an issue, make sure you can get your main down or if in a laser type drop the knot to make things safer. Dont furl your jib and leave the main up. drop the main and come in under jib or bare poles if its a single hander in an onshore breeze.

Edited by fab100 - 16 Oct 20 at 10:42pm

Originally posted by patj We've had 7 hours from launch to back onshore with three back to back races and sailing in and out to course at Weymouth for example.

That's nothing short of outrageous.

Not exactly enhancing the fun of the sport, no wonder travelling was in decline even before the plague.

Nothing much more to add to what everyone else has said about the sea v the lake, I find the sea can be very boring compared to the more frenetic action in close quarter small lake sailing.

The only real issues are the transition from land to water and back depending on the facilitys they can be so very different, sailing at Weymouth for instance (In the harbour)aint that much different from Grafham other than the tidal currents which can be quite confusing there.

Then sailing at places like Portishead for instance can be very testing due to the speed of the current and down at Hayling coming in over the bar used to be interesting shall we say at certain tidal states, but the key is to relax and stay clam, even if the boat does turn the wrong way up, never panic, it's only water with a salty taste, just carry on the same routine for self prervation you would inland.

Edited by iGRF - 01 Nov 20 at 11:36am

My daughter was at Uni in Portsmouth until earlier this year (as was I some 30 years ago) now she is in Gosport. Last year I watched a race from Locks Sailing Club in Langstone harbour - looks like a lovely place to sail. Stokes Bay looks interesting too, maybe next year I'll take the plunge somewhere  . 

We do winters inland in the 200, always good to be back on the salty stuff but first couple of sails I'm wobbling around in the back and usually end up on my rse gybing.
Enjoy, much better IMO.