Newbie Question: Mooring a Sailboat (Nottinghamshire, UK)?

[reyes]

Hi all

I'm brand new here so hello to all!

The reason I've come here is because I've fairly recently got into more waterbased activities through kayking, SIB etc. I'm now toying with the idea of a sailboat to have even more fun and learn plenty new as well.

One thing I'm a bit stumped on is: where would I moor the damn thing? I live in a town with the river trent running through it and we're not short of marinas. But, it occurred to me that a sailboat with a huge mast on it isn't going to fit under our bridges!

This is where my newbie question comes in: is there a particular type of mooring that exists for sailboats where they're always in bays or something?

I apologise for my ignorance; having looked online I can't see an obvious answer (unless my question is that stupid).

Thanks!

 

[scottie]

Can you add location to your title
if so that may focus replies otherwise you will get a lot of less than helpful replies

 

[Tranona]

Welcome

Our coast has a huge variety of moorings - marinas, harbours, river estuaries, lochs etc. You are right, once you get bridges across rivers, usually at the limit of navigation then masts are a no no unless in somewhere like the Broads where there are either lifting bridges or boats with masts that can be lowered and the large inland lakes li the Lake District. Many lakes and reservoirs also have facilities for dinghies and small day boats, often related to sailing clubs.

 

[reyes]

Can you add location to your title
if so that may focus replies otherwise you will get a lot of less than helpful replies

Good point, thank you - done.

 

[reyes]

Welcome

Our coast has a huge variety of moorings - marinas, harbours, river estuaries, lochs etc. You are right, once you get bridges across rivers, usually at the limit of navigation then masts are a no no unless in somewhere like the Broads where there are either lifting bridges or boats with masts that can be lowered and the large inland lakes li the Lake District. Many lakes and reservoirs also have facilities for dinghies and small day boats, often related to sailing clubs.

Okay, so there is a gap in the market for quick-release masts then?

On a serious note, I need to look into that a bit more to see what's within an acceptable distance. Alternatively, I'm going to have to sell my house and move (becoming ever more attractive as an option!)

 

[wombat88]

Carsington reservoir? Rutland Water?

 

[Praxinoscope]

If you're on the Northern end of Nottinghamshire then the Humber estuary is not too far away if you ar looking at sailing at sea, several yacht clubs and moorings around there.

 

[neil_s]

If you look for a marina that has boats with masts that will give you a clue. As a beginner, I'd avoid the complication of lowering/raising the mast. This is a job that can end up being quite complicated - even on a relatively small boat at beginning and end of the season! Don't dismiss river sailing, though - check out where you might go upstream.

 

[reyes]

Thank you ever so much guys, I've got some bits to research and the estuary callout sounds a great one.

I appreciate I'm shifting context now but if you were in my boat (de-dum-tssh), what single boat would you recommend for a newbie? If answering that in this thread is not ideal, I'll get searching the forum!

 

[ProDave]

I appreciate I'm shifting context now but if you were in my boat (de-dum-tssh), what single boat would you recommend for a newbie? If answering that in this thread is not ideal, I'll get searching the forum!

No single answer. How much do you want to spend? How big do you want? Do you want small end light enough to go on a trailer etc etc.

 

[srm]

what single boat would you recommend for a newbie?

Impossible to answer. You need to have an idea of what you want the boat to be able to do. Day sails, weekend camping, comfortable cabin, etc etc?
So first decide where you can sail, close to home to start with means more time to sail and learn, even if just on a stretch of the river. Then think how much time you can spend, days, weekends, weeks.

For example my last boat was in a coastal marina and only five minutes from home. It was easy to sail single handed and I often took it out for an evening, and have also made passages around the UK. My current boat is bigger making a day out a bit of an effort, but capable of ocean sailing.

 

[Praxinoscope]

How long is a pice of string? There are so many variables that unless you know what you want, the type of sailing you want to do (Cruising, racing, both etc. ), single handed, crewed or family, budget etc? it's difficult to make recommendations.

 

[jon711]

If a dinghy is required, then a Norfolk Dinghy may suit, as mast lowering while underway is fairly easy... The Norfolk 14 Foot One Design Dinghy Class

 

[Dukester52]

Hi There - if you're on the Trent have you thought about looking at somewhere around or downstream of Gainsborough (assuming that's still the first/last bridge over the Trent)? I don't think there's any sailing clubs on the tidal Trent per se, but you may be able to find something at West Stockwith, and lock out onto the Trent (assuming they don't have a bridge over the lock there). Personally I'd be more tempted to try the Humber and enquire at the Humber Yawl Club, either in Brough (Yorks) or Winteringham (Lincs). Very friendly places. As a newbie I'd go for a small, easy to handle and maintain yacht such as a Hurley 20 (that's what we did and never looked back).

 

[Seastoke]

Hi all

I'm brand new here so hello to all!

The reason I've come here is because I've fairly recently got into more waterbased activities through kayking, SIB etc. I'm now toying with the idea of a sailboat to have even more fun and learn plenty new as well.

One thing I'm a bit stumped on is: where would I moor the damn thing? I live in a town with the river trent running through it and we're not short of marinas. But, it occurred to me that a sailboat with a huge mast on it isn't going to fit under our bridges!

This is where my newbie question comes in: is there a particular type of mooring that exists for sailboats where they're always in bays or something?

I apologise for my ignorance; having looked online I can't see an obvious answer (unless my question is that stupid).

Thanks!

Get a mobo.

 

[stelican]

Get a mobo.

NO
Get a McGregor 26

 

[Fr J Hackett]

NO
Get a McGregor 26

Same thing isn't it.

 

[srm]

Before thinking of your own boat look for a sailing club within easy reach that encourages newcomers to try sailing either on club owned or member's boats. You need some experience before choosing/buying. The more types of boats/sailing that you have actually sailed the better your chances of finding a boat that you will enjoy sailing.

 

[jac]

Before thinking of your own boat look for a sailing club within easy reach that encourages newcomers to try sailing either on club owned or member's boats. You need some experience before choosing/buying. The more types of boats/sailing that you have actually sailed the better your chances of finding a boat that you will enjoy sailing.

Or go on one of the “Try Yachting “ weekends that many schools offer. More expensive than a yacht club but perhaps more reliable

 

[Daverw]

We live in Lincoln and boat is in Hull marina, nothing with mast up can get down river Trent and tides would stop you getting anywhere if you could as it would take you too long. Grimsby options as well as HYC at Brough or Winteringham.