Best way forward.

[tonywar]

I was wondering what peoples views are on the best way to becoming a sailor, my path seems to be, I've completed my comp crew this year, I'm undertaking my day skipper theory this Winter with the practical to follow early next year. I'm presently looking for a small yacht to buy and hope to be sailing regularly by the end of spring.

But some would say "forget the courses I learned to sail by buying a boat and getting on with it", others would say "don't buy the boat yet, crew for someone else and gain experience" and it would seem others are determined to sail by gaining as many qualifications as quickly as possible.

All I want is to sail regularly and safely. I think I could achieve this with a combination of some training and getting a boat. But what does everybody else think?

 

[Gunfleet]

You're right.

 

[BrendanS]

Time on water...doesn't matter how you do it. On your own boat is best, then you'll soon learn what you need to learn, or you wouldn't be asking this question.

Time spent with people who know what they are doing is the best confidence booster. You can do this on someone elses boat, or by sailing with other boats, and asking lots of questions. People love talking about the knowledge they have gained. You'll soon differentiate between people who talk crap, and who can give useful advice.

Courses are great if you're the sort of person that learns from them...did you like taking exams at school? If not, forget them, and forge friendships with people who can tell you what you need to know in a way you can take it in.

It really is that simple. Honestly.

oh, and make mistake, lots of them! That's always the best way of learning anything

 

[Ohdrat]

Think buying a small boat and mucking about in it is v good plan along with the courses.. If you just crew for other peeps all you get to do is pull ropes and a bit of steering.. much better to learn about passage planning and descion making etc .. and generally the fun of running a small boat.

Re the courses don't go overboard.. I would suggest Day Skipper Practical, 1st aid (mainly for confidence), of course, your radio operators and the Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster theory.. keep your RYA log and when you've accumulated your sea miles etc go for the DOT assessement after a weeks Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster practical course.

PS dont try and do the Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Theory in a week..

 

[phanakapan]

3 years into sailing- this is what I did. Day skipper theory, with a bit of crewing for racing- learnt a bit about different sorts of yachts/skippers- very useful to find out what sort of skipper I wanted to be and more importantly how I didnt want to be! Then day skipper practical on a 5 day course- learnt loads,and also realised how much more there was to learn by experience.Then yachtmaster theory-and was lucky enough to get offered a share in an old Folkboat-minimum cost and loads of learning- maybe you can pick up a very small seaworthy yacht for about 2-3 grand, maybe get someone willing to teach you on her. Now I've just had an offer accepted on a 26 footer- I cant tell you how excited I am!- but now I reckon the learning really starts.My partner is keen to carry on getting more qualifications- I'm happy to consolidate by experience- (by the way I did do the Diesel engine and radio courses- essential I think). To sum up- take all the chances you can to try different boats-including dinghies- and different styles of sailing- you may be a born racer or happiest cruising, or even find sail isnt for you and you want a fast motorboat. The good thing about courses is that you get to meet other sailors, find out about good yacht clubs, maybe find someone to do a share with- go for it all and good luck.

 

[hlb]

Well this was my method. Sailed about in dinghies for a few years. Then sailed back and forth to Ireland umpteen times. Sent SWMBO to Liverpool for VHF Licence. Then after about fifteen years did half a day skipper course (Theory) Bloody hated it. Learned nothing of any value.

<font color=blue> Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't.
Haydn

 

[themount1]

If it wasn't for the different name I could swear it was me talking. You are at exactly the same stage as me (shore based Day Skip winter, practical Spring, buy the boat next year etc, etc.) and asking the same questions.
What I have learned so far is that it is all about practice and experience. This is such a vast subject with so many variations and situations that there is no short cut. We are dealing with a potentially lethal environment and it is essential we can "get home alive" at all times. Also the sailing fraternity I have met so far have, without exception, been extremely helpful and encouraging and only too pleased to help in whatever way they can. I have never come across such a generously spirited bunch in any other activity.
My problem is that I have discovered the joys of sailing late (51 years old with RYA 1/2 Dinghy this year), I'm not a lottery winner so have to work to fund the passion, the weather always seems to deteriorate at the weekends, so do I have enough time before the body crys enough to learn everything I need to and achieve my goal of Yachtmaster? I hope so and I'm going to give it my best shot!!
Agree with all the advice given so far - join yacht club, meet boat owners at club and courses, take every opportunity to sail, buy own boat and dictate your own pace.
Personally I can't wait, I love it! Good luck.

 

[Peppermint]

Go on a dinghy course

You'll learn more about how sailing works, cause and effect, trimming etc. sailing a dinghy.

 

[webcraft]

Can't see anything wrong with your plan, Tony.

Everything is good . . .

Own boat, learn to skipper, handle crew etc.

Other people's boats - see how they do it.

Courses - learn the 'right' way to do it.

Night classes are entertaining in Winter when you can't be sailing.

I also agree with Peppermint - a bit of dinghy sailing will sharpen up your wind awareness and basic sailing skills no end.

Also - read lots. Theory, narratives, 'how to' - whatever.

Just start doing it and you'll soon work out what's right for you.

Fair winds!

<font color=blue>Nick</font color=blue> -

BlueMoment.Com
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com/>http://www.bluemoment.com/</A>

 

[jonjo]

As your plans include purchasing a boat you will soon be on two separate learning curves, namely sailing and yacht ownership. At this time of year it pays to wander around boatyards and talk to people, you will then pickup useful knowledge on where yachts malfunction after 10 to 15 years.

Your first yacht probably won't be right for you long-term so try and buy the marine equivalent of a ford focus.

Once you have become a competent cruising sailor I suggest some racing. A few years racing will make an accomplished cruising yachtsman a better cruising yachtsman.

 

[sailbadthesinner]

your plan is sound
i would only add every now and then go with someone on whatever boat who will stretch you a bit beyonf your level and increase your confidence in your boat and yourself. you will start make longer passages quicker.
oh and the dinghy sailing is a brill idea will really get you in the habit of sail trim and helming by feeling the wind.

oh and do have fun as that is what it is all about.

Come on brain.get this over and i can go back to killing you with beer

 

[30boat]

A friend of mine went from having no sailing experience to sailing his own 46 foot er from Hong Kong to Portugal in about three years.It just shows what can be done doesn't it?.

 

[Grehan]

Ellen . . .

I'm currently engrossed in Ellen MacArthur's book.

She did everything, and quite a few things that would be frowned on as 'unecessarily RYA' by some herein.

a) Collected loads of bumph about 'boats' - manufacturer's equipment type stuff. Read all the magazines. Read books - Chichester, etc. All the supposedly 'spotty teenager' things that give you a glimpse of the 'culture' of yachting. Started to 'live' boats.
b) Sailed little cruisers with an aunt.
c) Did every RYA course, from Day Skipper to Yachtmaster and including VHF, First Aid, Diesel etc.
d) Did the commensurate RYA practical courses, and crewed on sailing school boats.
e) In preparation for serious big boat racing, she did some intensive laser dinghy learning.
f) Did her 'proving' round GB trip (solo) without mishap, (she cried off rounding North Cape because of bad weather and went through the Caledonian Canal) and learnt a lot. Arrived at Southampton and was given her Yachtmaster ticket at the SIBS by John Goode and James Stephens.
g) At every stage, right up to the Vendee Globe, she asked loads of questions of everyone about everything, talked to anyone she could. No false modesty about appearing naive, asking, doing or learning. She is a very tough girl, very persistent and set about recognising and fixing every gap in her knowledge, in whatever way possible.

Great book. Thoroughly recommend it.
Good Xmas prezzie?

I'm in the phonebooth. It's the one across the Hall

 

[Spacewaist]

Best ways to get experience about sailing are:

(1) passage making as skipper on a boat without an engine or

(2) dinghy racing.

Otherwise - as others have said - sounds 'bout right.

It rarely rains for longer than four hours........

 

[Guest]

Don't splash out a load of money before your sure you (and your other half if there is one) know you'll enjoy it together - otherwise arguements every weekend!

Courses are very good fun I found and excellent for building your confidence.

Read a lot. "Better boat handling" in YM has been good value.

Geoff W