Dinghy Forums.

[Mark-1]

Absolutely 100% agree with that. Skippering your own Optimist amongst a bunch of similar age is brilliant fun - and far better than a passenger on a bigger boat.
Just was commenting on the references to buoyage, lights etc - these latter won't feature, and won't be missed.

I've just found this which appears to flesh out the detail and rightly or wrongly they do cover bouyage including lights:
https://inss.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RYA-YSS-Stage-4-Theory-Notes.pdf


In case anyone in the future finds this thread through google, here's the detail of the course content for the Four initial stages:
https://inss.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RYA-YSS-Stage-1-Theory-Notes.pdf
https://inss.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RYA-YSS-Stage-2-Theory-Notes.pdf
https://inss.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RYA-YSS-Stage-3-Theory-Notes.pdf
https://inss.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RYA-YSS-Stage-4-Theory-Notes.pdf

I haven't checked the source but it looks plausible.

 

[Greenheart]

I think you are outside the target age group for youth and junior dinghy sailors. Information for them is on platforms they use (not those for aging YBW-ites)

Sure, I'm far outside. What mystifies me is that many sailors my age and much older who used to be very active on, for example, the Osprey Sailing forum, have simply stopped using it. Where do they go now, to ask about all the things that used to be discussed there?

I'm not incapable or unwilling to transfer to new sites if they supply equivalent functions, but what and where are they?

In recent years the Yachts and Yachting forum certainly seems to have played host to the same handful of bored and boring belligerents. I've rarely felt it usefully answered questions on particular issues - it was more like a place for the usual bar-props to exchange quips.

But there too, I was advised to use Facebook instead. Have I misjudged Facebook? So far I certainly haven't found its search function or any means that will take me to all the places where its membership discuss shroud tension or diesel heaters or inflatable valves or Imray vs Admiralty, or anything that is ably covered by fora such as this.

So I still don't understand abandonment of the conventional forum style.

 

[dunedin]

I've just found this which appears to flesh out the detail and rightly or wrongly they do cover bouyage including lights:
https://inss.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RYA-YSS-Stage-4-Theory-Notes.pdf


In case anyone in the future finds this thread through google, here's the detail of the course content for the Four initial stages:
https://inss.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RYA-YSS-Stage-1-Theory-Notes.pdf
https://inss.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RYA-YSS-Stage-2-Theory-Notes.pdf
https://inss.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RYA-YSS-Stage-3-Theory-Notes.pdf
https://inss.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RYA-YSS-Stage-4-Theory-Notes.pdf

I haven't checked the source but it looks plausible.

These links are very informative thanks.

i might not be typical, but know many junior sailors who got Level 2, a couple who did Level 3 but not aware of any doing Level 4. Once they started racing regional and GBR national squad jackets were more of a priority than certificates.
Very soon they wanted Power Boat Level 1 & 2 to drive a safety RIB - and many then went for Coaching qualifications.
Quite a few went championship racing and some Olympics.

It was probably only for the Power Boat certificates tha buoyage and things might have played a bigger importance.

 

[Nadineski]

Hello All,

Could anyone advise a good spot in Europe during summer holidays to try dinghy / Optimist type sailing with tuition? Looking to go with my 8 y.o. son. Nothing fancy but decent and practical.

I found online this place in Greece, Paros Sailing club, could it be any good?

I did some laser sailing few years back in Asia and loved it. Any info would be much appreciated, thank you so much

 

[oldbloke]

I hadn't heard of Paros before. Looking at the website, the poor English is noticeable. The sailing and tuition may be good but will the social aspect be ok?. It may be great and better than just brits. Minorca sailing is generallyheld to be the best from a purelysailing perspective. Wildwind at Vasiliki on Levkas also make a big thing of their sailing. Ocean Elements are a bit more relaxed and "holiday" but pretty good. Sunsail were the go to people but have been out of the club market for a while now.

 

[The Q]

The y & y forum appeared to go off line for several weeks, well over a month, but it is back now.

I do go on it occasionally to take part and also go there to advertise my two sailing clubs events. Every so often there is some posting that people grab hold of and a good exchange goes on.

I'm no expert on dinghy certification, my own weeks course was not completed 43 years ago as we had gales for the last two days. But I've sailed, on average over one day a week since.

My own summer club does very well attended , up to 80 kids on a Thursday afternoon, dinghy, power boat, rescue boat and keelboat certification . Adults are also trained..
Horning Sailing Club

 

[westernman]

Hello All,

Could anyone advise a good spot in Europe during summer holidays to try dinghy / Optimist type sailing with tuition? Looking to go with my 8 y.o. son. Nothing fancy but decent and practical.

I found online this place in Greece, Paros Sailing club, could it be any good?

I did some laser sailing few years back in Asia and loved it. Any info would be much appreciated, thank you so much

I have anchored up in front of these guys several times. They look to be good.

Minorca Sailing Holidays 2024 | Minorca Sailing

A super place for a holiday with some sailing.

If you are going only for sailing, there might be better places where you will get consistently more wind.