A newbie question, does size matter..

Generalisations

I can name at least ten regular contributors to these forums who can both:
1. Write and spell excellent English
2. Contribute accurate and technical posts on an enormous variety of boating and other subjects.

I have no problem with those whose spelling and grammar may be less than perfect but it is definitely not true that possession of one of these attributes rules out the other.

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Re: Generalisations

<<it is definitely not true that possession of one of these attributes rules out the other. >>


If you had read the post correctly I said, "some people are good with words" and not all. There are many reasons why a person can lack spelling and grammar and not just down to lack of schooling.

I like to think that everyone can give their viewpoint without being mocked for their lack of grammar!




<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BroadsandEastcoastBoating/>Broads & East Coast Boating</A>
 
Re: Fantastic... thank you very much.... NM

Troon CC will be good for crewing opportunities but there are two other options you might want to think about. 1. Prestwick sailing club is more active dinghy-wise. 2. The Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine has a volunteer group which has ties with Central Scotland Sea School... I did my RYA Day Skipper there but sadly lost contact a while back because of work commitments. Lots of chances to get hands on experience. PM me if you want further contact details and I will dig out.

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I would support the suggestion of a Wayfarer too. It is a good sea & estuary boat, and is quite forgiving. It will take a spinnacker when you gain experience, too.

We found that a roller reefing genny is a good idea too. If the wind blows up, then you can effectively stow the genny and continue on the main. That can make the ride better for a family sail.

For the complete keeno (or masochist), you can get a tent which fits on the boom, to enable an overnight stay. I think that is a step too far... but the Wayfarer cruising assoc have keen members who do that.

It is a good boat to trail/sail - not too heavy to man-handle, whilst being comfortable (in dinghy terms) for 3 adults. It will only take about 30 mins from arrival to sail.

My only word of caution is the cost - they do hold their value well (as they are in demand from schools, etc) so you will be very lucky to find another £250 one. Last time we looked for a s/h Wayfarer, we found that in there was a lot of rubbish about.

Try the Wayfarer Assoc - I think they have a website.



<hr width=100% size=1>KeithH
 
Re: Generalisations

I think you need to re-read what you and I wrote. I interpreted your posting as saying that if we could spell and write proper we couldn't fix an engine or many other things. I am merely pointing out that this is total bollocks.

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Re: At the expensive end

Topper do some good boats
the Cruz is a family boat that has watertight stowage a sort of spray hood and you can fit small hp engine for when you just want to potter. its application isprobably a smaller version on the Hawk ( which i have not sailed)
The Topper sports 14 and 16 are great once you get more advanced as they have a whizzy Asymmetric on them that is a joy to use. Something to aim for anyway.

The wayfarer as stated below is a great boat as is the GP 14 which i have a soft spot for.
happy sailing.



<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>I can't walk on water, but I do run on Guinness</font color=red>
 
Do you need a boat yet?

Lots sail on a tight budget and have no boat. It would be far cheaper and v welcoming to be crew on someone else's. Lots of ads here are not for people wanting to get on a boat - but placed by people with a boat wanting someeone along for assistance (and company, er cos wife is agin it...)

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Re: Strathclyde Park

It has been a couple of years since I was at Strathclyde Country Park, but they used to hire wayfarers from the watersports centre at very reasonable rates. I presume they still do. Good plan to try one out a few times before you shell out.

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Re: wayfarer

I'm the forum expert on gramer and shpelling!!
Anyway. You remind me of my early days of sailing. Started with trying to cram wife me two kids and a big dog into an 8ft dinghy. Came across this bigger looking thing near Blackpool. Thought they would fit in that better. Turned out to be a National Ospray and very fast!! Anyway learned to sail it and cruised it all over the place. Lovely boat.

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Haydn
 
Re: wayfarer (for free!!!)

The wayfarer website has a "for sale" section and the first item
is an advert from Northampton Sailing Club for a couple of Wayfarer Hulls "FREE TO A GOOD HOME"... I couldn't believe my luck when I phoned them just now and they are both still there...

I said my only trouble was getting one of them from Northampton to Scotland..

The guy there said that neither of them were worth the trouble as they were both in pretty bad condition..

What would your collective thoughts be on this .... They are GRP..
I haven't had any experience playing with GRP so not sure if they guy has a point or if I should bite the bullet and make a trip to see what they are like..

alternatively they might make a decent project for any of you guys down there in the vicinity..

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Re: wayfarer (for free!!!)

Depends what he means by 'bad condition'. Guess if he's giving them away, it means they are beyond economic repair.

If you are good with your hands, then it may be possible to botch them up, but be aware that replacing masts and sails with new is - Expensive - and will cost much more than a workable second hand one without all the hassle. On the other hand doing the rounds of the boat jumbles to pick up cheepo gear is a hobby in its own right although frustrating at times.

If you havent got the skills to do them up yourself, and you are expecting to pay someone to do it for you, then forget it. It will definitely be cheaper to put up 2 or 3 hundred squids for a working second hand dinghy.

"There is no such thing as a cheap boat'' - If the asking price is low - its because the 'on the water' cost will be high and the owner knows it.

However do not be totally deterred - ask your contact what he means by 'bad condition' and how much of the gear is missing. You may still just get a bargain. Look at it this way, if you were offered a second hand car for free, and described as 'pretty rough' - what would you do?

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Re: wayfarer (for free!!!)

<<if it was a car..

Very good point, I think I'll leave it..

Everything is missing,, it's just a hull...

Like I say someone might get the use of them tho'..

Thanks for the advice..

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Alternatively

I have a mate who scavenges around for anything boaty that he thinks he can make a penny out of. His trick is to look for boats that are wrecks & maybe but two or even three Hulls or damaged jobs. Its not uncommon for him to buy a couple of boats for a total outlay of £150-£200, make one good one out of the two, spend a couple of weekends titivating the new boat & he sells em for £500-£750. it really depends on how much time you are prepared to invest & an awful lot of luck. Mind you some would say you make your own luck. I am always reminded of that fishing cartoon where one guy says to the other " Why is it when I catch the biggest fish I'm a lucky sod & when you catch the biggest fish, it's a testement to your skill & fortitude".

I guess that I am really saying that you can't do it overnight, but with a bit of time & care you may be amazed at what you can achieve.

Martin

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