Help request from dinghy sailors.

[PEJ]

Dinghy sailing - how hard can it be?

I did a day of dinghy sailing about 20 years ago and I know the theory, close hauling, reaches, runs, tacking and all that. My two kids did a two day course two years ago.

As a member of the RSYC I can borrow a club dinghy and take it out on the Beaulieu river.

So if I take the kids out for a sail on a dinghy on the river am I in for a bit of clean (and dry) fun with them or is this a recipe for disaster?

 

[prv]

Sounds fun to me :encouragement:

Whether it remains dry fun or not will have a lot to do with what kind of dinghy you'll be in. Do you know?

Pete

 

[rafiki_]

Could be either. I capsized about a dozen times in the Solent one epic weekend, and was pretty close to hyperthermia as a result. Didn't put me off sailing though.

 

[kashurst]

I find a catamaran easier these days as I was never great in a sailing dinghy.too easy to fall in and Im not sure I could reliably get one back upright anymore.

 

[rafiki_]

I find a catamaran easier these days as I was never great in a sailing dinghy.too easy to fall in and Im not sure I could reliably get one back upright anymore.

Cats can be fantastic fun, especially when you get one hull out of the water. Not sure that you stay dry though

 

[PEJ]

Whether it remains dry fun or not will have a lot to do with what kind of dinghy you'll be in. Do you know?

Pete

No. But then I don't really know one dinghy from another! I would try to get one big enough for the 3 of us though.

 

[rwoofer]

Not the best place to try a dinghy: narrow river, current and lots of boats on moorings means you need to know what you are doing if you are to avoid hitting someone else's pride and joy. Suggest you have a go in a less restrictive place just to get you back into the swing of dinghy sailing.

 

[prv]

No. But then I don't really know one dinghy from another!

Well, there's quite a range between

and

that's all

Pete

 

[lionelz]

Being a dinghy sailor too, I as mentioned in previous post would not do it on a river with lots of other boats on until you have your hand back in. It will be great fun with your kids and family but better out of the way rather than on a busy river. I am sure you will pick it up quickly again, and just focus on getting the drill right, speed will come late.