Newbie here... hello!

[Kelpie]

I'm new to this so wanted to say hello. A little background:
as a kid, my Dad sailed a Soling, whilst I pottered around in Optimists. That all went dry several years ago, but last year I finally got back on the water crewing on a traditional dipping lugsail boat out of Stornoway, where I now live.
I'm keen to get a boat of my own soon, perhaps next summer. I've had a few offers of crewing on more conventional boats but so far it's never come to anything, generally because I work most Saturdays /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Being only 26, my driving license doesn't let me tow anything over 750kg. Is it possible to get a trailer-sailer that fits this weight limit? Apparently it's really expensive to get a trailer license.

Also, is it realistic to expect to get myself a boat next year? Obviously I'd do a navigation and sea survival course, and look to have somebody experienced come with me the first few times. Maybe the Outer Hebrides isn't the best of places for a novice to start learning to sail!

Anyway it would be nice to hear from anybody who's recently learned to sail so I can see how realistic my ambitions are.

Cheers,

Rob

 

[Channel Ribs]

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe the Outer Hebrides isn't the best of places for a novice to start learning to sail!

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Hi Rob and welcome /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Sounds like you have all your ducks in a row, good luck with the boat hunting.

 

[Aja]

Hello, and welcome.

Nope you are not jumping ahead of yourself. There are good facilities where you are and if you are prepared to restrict your sailing to the sheltered areas around Stornoway you should learn and pick up sailing again quickly.

It is a nice place - isn't it!

[image]

[/image]

Donald

 

[Erre]

Welcome!

Totally agree with the above two posts. Befriend someone with experience whose company you enjoy and proceed as you have planned.

I am in Sutherland so I know your area fairly well. As goos a place to learn as any and a lot better than most!

Enjoy

 

[jeremyshaw]

No idea about trailer-sailers, but I think it's perfectly realistic for you to buy your own boat. You learnt as a child, have had recent experience and are planning to do some courses. You say 'navigation' but I assume you mean something like a RYA coastal skipper practical, which will also help with insurance. I know people who have gone offshore, rightly or wrongly, with less experience than you. Being where you are you'll probably respect the weather more than half the people who bowl out of London to the Solent for the weekend, so I'd say: go for it!

 

[Kelpie]

[ QUOTE ]
Hello, and welcome.

Nope you are not jumping ahead of yourself. There are good facilities where you are and if you are prepared to restrict your sailing to the sheltered areas around Stornoway you should learn and pick up sailing again quickly.

It is a nice place - isn't it!

[image]

[/image]

Donald

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a lovely picture! The Castle grounds at sunset...
I was recently helping with the fitting out of An Sulaire (traditional Ness skiff) moored on that very pontoon.

The marina here is good, although I was actually thinking about getting a berth at Brevig harbour, on Broadbay. Nice and sheltered, close to where I live, and only £10.20/m/season which is a lot cheaper than the marina.

 

[Kelpie]

The navigation course I'm referring to is run by the local college and is aimed at fishermen. I don;t know what the content is yet, but possibly not as useful as RYA stuff?

On weather, well, last year I got my paragliding CP, and it's fair to say I can pretty obsessed with the stuff now! Paragliding needs perfect conditions, so I've got fairly good at reading the pressure charts, and I've gained a healthy respect for the weather. Being tied to a 30m2 piece of nylon has taught me just how powerful the wind can be!

 

[Niander]

That photo is a bit rose tinted...lol

Much room in Brevig harbour?

 

[Kelpie]

[ QUOTE ]
That photo is a bit rose tinted...lol

Much room in Brevig harbour?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well I was there the other day and there were only three fishing boats tied up. A couple fo sorry looking sailing boats out on the hard too.

Are there many Hebrideans lurking on this forum?

 

[Kylora]

Hi Rob
[ QUOTE ]
Being only 26, my driving license doesn't let me tow anything over 750kg.

[/ QUOTE ]
I think that you will be able to drive a combination of car/trailer with a maximum mass (weight) of 3,500 kgs, whereas us oldies who passed their test before 1996 have a maximum combination of 7,500 kgs. The trailer needs to be less than the car, and braked if over 750 kgs.

Have a look Here

Ash

 

[Kelpie]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Rob
[ QUOTE ]
Being only 26, my driving license doesn't let me tow anything over 750kg.

[/ QUOTE ]
I think that you will be able to drive a combination of car/trailer with a maximum mass (weight) of 3,500 kgs, whereas us oldies who passed their test before 1996 have a maximum combination of 7,500 kgs. The trailer needs to be less than the car, and braked if over 750 kgs.

Have a look Here

Ash

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the link- I was wrong about what I can tow, so that's really good news. Looks like I can tow up to the weight of my car, which is about 1.2t, much more realistic!

Oh, and another piece of good news, I'm getting sailing tomorrow with some friends (weather permitting), should be fun.

Rob