Newbie mistakes

OP - I've got a basic 2HP outboard in my shed if you'd like it for a reasonable price (what's that? dunno - I'll see what they go for on eBay). Worked fine last time I used it, which was about 2 years ago; but I've now gone electric and it's just sat around occupying space ever since. My boat's also based in Portsmouth, so I could bring the O/B down. (Apologies, everyone, for not sending this as a PM, but the OP is too new to the forum for that option to be enabled.)
 
I'd say read every book you can find about sailing skills. Some are rubbish (IMHO) but still they can provide a point of view. What you need as a starter are lots of ideas because there's no 'right' way of doing stuff, just ways that work (or not) for you. Don't be afraid to experiment to find out what works for you. You've made one of the best moves possible by asking here, there are many very experienced folk lurking...
BTW, I think it was a smart move to not go anywhere - just be on the boat for a few hours getting to know her.
 
many years ago a work colleague inherited some money and bought a small yacht with an onboard from one of our sales managers in Stratford. The boat was based on the east coast. Steve had never been on a boat before and on the maiden voyage left harbour with 3 mates , a few crates of beer at the top of a spring tide and almost immediately went straight onto a mudbank. The engine had difficulty starting cos of the mud and the 4 of them spent the next 3 days at 30 degrees drinking beer and getting very hungry. Eventually the harbour masteR took pity on Them and towed them off on condition that Steve committed to a sailing course?the engine needed replacement as it had seized solid due to overheating.
 
Just a small contribution about moving a dinghy over soft mud. I am based on the River Orwell which does have some pretty oozy stuff in places! I have been close to the OP's situation when rowing back to the hard at Pin Mill and finding the water was about 20ft from the end. Madam stated she was certainly not getting out in the mud, so I thought I would tow it that short distance, it was very difficult, I sank to over my knees but there was a firmer layer so towing was just possible, vowed to check the tide tables very carefully in future.
Later in our sailing career I discovered a technique for moving a rigid dinghy with a transom, it works well if you are alone, not sure if there were crew. You stand at the rear of the dinghy facing aft. Take one oar and push it into the mud angled so that the end is somewhat under the dinghy. You then, simultaneously, pull the oar forwards and jump in the air. This propels the dinghy a foot or so without your weight on it. Repeat until you reach your destination. I have used this to get the last few feet back to the end of the hard, I am not sure how long one could keep it up, but it is not that strenuous. Main risk of course is breaking the oar. It might work with an inflatable with a transom and a firm floor but I have never tried it, also inflatable oars are usually pretty flimsy.
 
All fantastic words of wisdom and I appreciate the feedback and advice. Just to summarise:

Lifejackets are a must, always in the dinghy.
Outboard 2 - 2.5HP would be easier but don't over rely on it.
Check the bloody weather!
Stay out of the mud.
Make plan b's and c's.
Get some sailing lessons.
Don't try to fight strong wind or current.
Prepare an overnight kit on board just in case.
Read read read. I have bought a book (RYA dayskipper handbook) and will try to absorb as much as I can.

Also just to clarify the dinghy is not a canoe. I've always just associated dinghys as inflatable and rigid as a canoe. It is in fact a fibreglass dinghy.
Also with regards to the tide times I did have an idea of the tides, just assumed that my best best was getting to the mud. I'm normally quite sensible, was just lack of knowledge more than lack of judgement.

Thank you all very much. Learned a lot just from the replies, so glad I made this post
 
BizarreBazza said:
Read read read. I have bought a book (RYA dayskipper handbook) and will try to absorb as much as I can.
Click to expand...

Amongst the other books on board, I keep a copy of "The Art of Coarse Sailing" by Michael Green, both for its entertainment value and for the many words of wisdom therein. My kindle has a copy of Arthur Ransome's "We didn't mean to go to Sea"; much useful stuff in that, too! Add red plastic plates to your shopping list...
 
Just to make you feel at ease, we just bought a Corribee on the Medina in IOW on a swinging mooring, also with a row to the boat. Seemed idyllic first time, downstream with a light summer breeze just taking the heat off. Did it the other day against a south westerly wind and almost blew across to the other shore and only rowing until my biceps were bruised stopped us. Thoroughly unpleasant is all I can say.

I'm determined not to get an outboard for it, but equally we think twice when the wind is much kinder than it was that day.

As a total newbie, the only thing I can say is echo what is said above and everywhere. Think, think, and think again - every issue so far I have got into was foreseeable in hindsight. Think wind, weather, hazards, course, etc - everything you can think of. And if you're like me, you'll then only come close to serious trouble once a week!
 
BizarreBazza said:
All fantastic words of wisdom and I appreciate the feedback and advice. Just to summarise:

Lifejackets are a must, always in the dinghy.
Outboard 2 - 2.5HP would be easier but don't over rely on it.
Check the bloody weather!
Stay out of the mud.
Make plan b's and c's.
Get some sailing lessons.
Don't try to fight strong wind or current.
Prepare an overnight kit on board just in case.
Read read read. I have bought a book (RYA dayskipper handbook) and will try to absorb as much as I can.

Also just to clarify the dinghy is not a canoe. I've always just associated dinghys as inflatable and rigid as a canoe. It is in fact a fibreglass dinghy.
Also with regards to the tide times I did have an idea of the tides, just assumed that my best best was getting to the mud. I'm normally quite sensible, was just lack of knowledge more than lack of judgement.

Thank you all very much. Learned a lot just from the replies, so glad I made this post
Click to expand...
You can’t receive personal messages yet as you’ve not posted enough times nor been on the forum long enough, but once you can I’ll send you my phone number. Our boat is laid up in Gosport having a refit at the moment so I’m not able to get in the water as much but if you want I’ll donate a day to a good cause of a newbie to sailing. (Assuming we’re can find a mutually convenient day.)
(You can check my profile to see if the idea of a stranger sailing with you puts you off or not... you’ll see that you joined on my birthday which is another reason I’m feeling generous.)
I could bring a dinghy and outboard if it helps. John
 
john_morris_uk said:
You can’t receive personal messages yet as you’ve not posted enough times nor been on the forum long enough, but once you can I’ll send you my phone number. Our boat is laid up in Gosport having a refit at the moment so I’m not able to get in the water as much but if you want I’ll donate a day to a good cause of a newbie to sailing. (Assuming we’re can find a mutually convenient day.)
(You can check my profile to see if the idea of a stranger sailing with you puts you off or not... you’ll see that you joined on my birthday which is another reason I’m feeling generous.)
I could bring a dinghy and outboard if it helps. John
Click to expand...
That's a great offer... :)
 
In addition to you absolutely taking up John Morris' very generous offer of a day's instruction, I'd urge you to buy for yourself these three original (very easy to read and ingest, superbly professionally illustrated) RYA booklets which cover all the essentials of crewing/skippering:

Competent Crew

Day Skipper - Theory

Day Skipper - Practical Course Notes

You can get them (or some of them) used for just a few pennies.
 
john_morris_uk said:
You can’t receive personal messages yet as you’ve not posted enough times nor been on the forum long enough, but once you can I’ll send you my phone number. Our boat is laid up in Gosport having a refit at the moment so I’m not able to get in the water as much but if you want I’ll donate a day to a good cause of a newbie to sailing. (Assuming we’re can find a mutually convenient day.)
(You can check my profile to see if the idea of a stranger sailing with you puts you off or not... you’ll see that you joined on my birthday which is another reason I’m feeling generous.)
I could bring a dinghy and outboard if it helps. John
Click to expand...
I don't want to burden anyone but since you offered I would be a fool not to accept your kind offer. Mine is also in Gosport so nice and convenient. Soon as I can send PMs we can try to arrange something and I'll but you a beer or 6 in return
 
sgr143 said:
Amongst the other books on board, I keep a copy of "The Art of Coarse Sailing" by Michael Green, both for its entertainment value and for the many words of wisdom therein. My kindle has a copy of Arthur Ransome's "We didn't mean to go to Sea"; much useful stuff in that, too! Add red plastic plates to your shopping list...
Click to expand...
Coarse Sailing is essential reading. Coarse Cruising is perhaps a little less so but still fun.
When I started cruising, the only book that answered my questions was this: Cruising: A Manual for Small Cruiser Sailing: Amazon.co.uk: Sleightholme, J.D.: 9780229117727: Books
All that gobbledegook refers to 'Sailing' by Des Sleightholme.

As for John M's offer, it's always a good idea to have the Almighty on your side.
 
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