introduction

[Micky]

Hi i am new to this forum, name is Mick, known as Micky to most people on a few local fishing sites. I am from Suffolk, East coast near Felixstowe. Have been involved with a few boats over a period of years mainly small fishing type but last one owned was about 15years ago until now and just purchased a Vivacity 21, this is the first ever sailing boat i have owned and i know nothing at all about sailing, infact as to date i have not used the sails yet.
Thought maybe i can learn a few things from you guys if i joined up on this forum, hope you don't mind.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[William_H]

Get a book and have a read then just do it just try not to get too far away from safety. good luck will

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[dralex]

I know there are extreme views on RYA Courses, but I definately thing they're worth a go and also pretty good fun with like minded people. Also well worth getting a book such as Tom Cunliffes Yachtmaster as this covers everything including how sails work and basic boat stuff- I'm not a total Cunliffe advocate, but this is a good book. May also be worht approaching a local club to see if you can get any crewing experience, including in dinghies. Above all, enjoy it.

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[RupertW]

I'd endorse the Yachtmaster book too - even for a sailing beginner. I'm not really a course fan for beginner owners, if you take things slowly and learn from your early scrapes.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jimbouy]

If it's not too late see if your local adult ed. are running any of the theory courses.

Term has probably just started and it's a nice way to pass thw winter evenings and meet new people.

<hr width=100% size=1> "It is a pleasure to give advice, humiliating to need it, normal to ignore it"

 

[IanPoole2]

Where are you going to keep your boat. If your begining to learn to sail - avoid the channel at Felixstowe - Big Ships- if your at Levington - go up the Orwell to start towards Ipswich, if on the Deben - perfect.
Basically - get out there on a fairly calm day - stick the sails up - and see what happens - but be careful you do n't run aground.
If your engines reliable - try down the Stour - once passed Parkeston Quay it is usually fairly empty.
But - enjoy yourself

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Althorne]

Hi and Welcome Micky. I'm on the Crouch so will probably see something of you next year as I come your way for weekends etc on the backwaters. In the meantime enjoy this forum and use it's vast expertise to improve all sorts in your life. /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[dickh]

Thoroughly endorse what previous poster says about taking it easy at first in the quieter parts of the Orwell, Deben or Stour AND avoiding the big Ship Channel coming into Felixstowe. Contact Harwich Harbour Authority and get a copy of their free booklet on boating in these areas - or can be picked at local chandleries, try Seamark Nunn at Trimly or Suffolk Yacht Harbour - whereabouts do you have it moored? I had a Vivacity 20 several years ago,
see <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.vivacity20.verycool.at/>http://www.vivacity20.verycool.at/</A> excellent starter boat and I cruised all over the Thames Estuary.
Good Luck!

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Bilw]

Hi Micky
I would be happy to come out with you sometime to show you (some of)the basics.Like you I am semi-retired and always pleased to get on the water.I live at Walton on the Naze where my wife and I keep our Westerly ketch.I am keen to learn a bit about fishing so perhaps we would both benefit
Regards
Bill

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Micky]

Hi chaps.
Thanks for the feedback. Have got my boat moored at Ipswich, and have now found a couple of keen people willing to help give me a few trips and pratical sailing advice on their yachts or come out with me on mine. As i have said, boating is not new for me, have had a few fishing boats but never a yacht, it's just the sails that i need to get use to. In the meantime i will use the engine and progress to the sails little at a time. Hope to see a few of you on the water in tne near future.

<hr width=100% size=1>