Complete novice in need of advice

[Stevem099]

Thanks for the advice will order a few RYA books as they sound like just what I'm after.
Also thanks daydream, sorry I didnt make Myself very clear, at the time having never set foot on any kind of boat I didn't want to spend 500 on a competent crew course merely to hate every minute of it. So I went for a rya level 1 dinghy course which was much cheaper and really enjoyed it. However after yesterday, going out with Chrisbitz I'd quite happily now pay for the courses. Maybe I was just being tight as you suggested I'm pretty sure now after visiting a club I will definitely join one. The one I visited yesterday also had a very reasonable hire rate for dinghies so it could be a win win situation. Also after now having seen and had racing explained abit to me I'd also be quite keen in giving that ago.
Many thanks for the advice and help.
Steve

 

[Daydream believer]

Thanks for the advice will order a few RYA books as they sound like just what I'm after.
Also thanks daydream, sorry I didnt make Myself very clear, at the time having never set foot on any kind of boat I didn't want to spend 500 on a competent crew course merely to hate every minute of it. So I went for a rya level 1 dinghy course which was much cheaper and really enjoyed it. However after yesterday, going out with Chrisbitz I'd quite happily now pay for the courses. Maybe I was just being tight as you suggested I'm pretty sure now after visiting a club I will definitely join one. The one I visited yesterday also had a very reasonable hire rate for dinghies so it could be a win win situation. Also after now having seen and had racing explained abit to me I'd also be quite keen in giving that ago.
Many thanks for the advice and help.
Steve

Whatever course you decide to take with your sailing I hope you enjoy it

 

[chrisbitz]

The more I think about it, the more I think you should save your course money, unless there's a specific reason why you need a certificate, and use the money to join a club, go racing, and learn loads from practical experience.

You'll be fine picking it up, as on Sunday, you only needed to be shown once, and you completely grasped what and why everything was happening.

Of course, I'm biased, because that's how I did it, but even when you're not specifically pulling on the jib sheet as fast as you can in a race, in the bits between the marks, we're talking about anchor rodes, and charging systems and why that x-362 bloke always seems to win whatever he can be bothered to enter...

 

[tarik]

Hi Steve,


Not sure whereabouts you live in Kent, but the Royal Temple Yacht Club at Ramsgate run RYA Courses for beginners Plenty of sailing experience available.


PM me for more info



David

 

[Lakesailor]

The more I think about it, the more I think you should save your course money, unless there's a specific reason why you need a certificate, and use the money to join a club, go racing, and learn loads from practical experience.

You'll be fine picking it up, as on Sunday, you only needed to be shown once, and you completely grasped what and why everything was happening.

Of course, I'm biased, because that's how I did it, but even when you're not specifically pulling on the jib sheet as fast as you can in a race, in the bits between the marks, we're talking about anchor rodes, and charging systems and why that x-362 bloke always seems to win whatever he can be bothered to enter...

At some point between when I left schoo,l and now, Certificates became intensely important.

When we worked at an Outdoor Activity centre up to 3 years ago all the volunteers were desperately trying to get"qualified" by achieving certification.
The trouble was they only did what was required to get the signature. Then they moved on to a different discipline.

A fair few years ago now, when I took my driving test, my instructor (who was my godfather) said "right young Phil, now you've passed go and learn to drive".
When Mrs Laksailor passed her test a couple of years later he said "Right young Mrs Lakesailor, now go and get Phil to teach you how to drive."

 

[Stevem099]

I totally agree that joining a club is the best option for me at the minute and will be a priority. I learnt so much Sunday and can see Crewing as a great way to learn to sail from people who know what there doing. I feel if/when I was ready to get my own boat then I may look into doing a course or two more as a confidence boost (I'm a bit of a worrier and think I'd feel happier having practised MOB drills,night sailing etc) but I suppose I may feel totally different and more confident in my abilities after I've built up some hands on experience and decide I don't need them. The only other reason I could see myself needing some form of certification would be if I fancyed one of those nice sunny sailing holidays..but obviously that would be a long time in the future..
Cheers Steve