Own boat tuitio River Crouch

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hartswood

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I have just bought my first boat a 26ft Newbridge Pioneer bilge keel and now need to know how to use it. I passed a day skippers practical / theory 20 years ago and have been frantically brushing up the latter. I'm now after some own boat tuition and wonder if members could suggest any names.? I'm based on the Crouch. Many thanks.
 
Join one of the many clubs on the Crouch. Of course if you wanted to go around to the Roach you could join the Roach Sailing Association for a massive £10 a year. Plenty of people there to help you get out on the water.
 
The Crouch is dead easy....
Stay away from the hard stuff... (land) on both sides. Just keep an eye on the depth. There are no steep banks anywhere to catch you out.

Go out and practice parking (mooring).. and picking up a bouy. At this time of the year most moorings are empty. Get to feel how the poat reacts to any cross wind... and how slow you can steer a straight line.. For now stay to the west of the end of the Dengie. Later in the year you can begin to venture out the mouth of the river...
 
Hi My first cruiser was a Newbridge Pioneer, have fond memories of her.

If you are looking for someone to hold your hand for the first couple of trips happy to help. PM if interested.
 
My co-owner is an instructor at the sailing school at Levington and he often does own boat tuition. He also lives on Mersea so the crouch would be easy peasey.

he also is good-natured and patient -otherwise or he wouldn't put up with me.

PM me if you are interested
 
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Great advice and very kind offers. I'll take a tour of the clubs. I had originally intended basing myself in the Blackwater, but took a fancy to Bridgemarsh. One concern is how it's 30 year old 9 HP Volvo copes, had it checked last Saturday and it passed it's medical. It's good to know the Crouch will be forgiving. My last attempt at getting into sailing was a course in the Canary's. I thought it would be nice and warm, I forgot it was in the middle of the Atlantic. A force 9 was a bit too much of a learning experience! Once I'm on the water I will follow up your kind offers.
 
hartswood said:
Great advice and very kind offers. I'll take a tour of the clubs. I had originally intended basing myself in the Blackwater, but took a fancy to Bridgemarsh. One concern is how it's 30 year old 9 HP Volvo copes, had it checked last Saturday and it passed it's medical. It's good to know the Crouch will be forgiving. My last attempt at getting into sailing was a course in the Canary's. I thought it would be nice and warm, I forgot it was in the middle of the Atlantic. A force 9 was a bit too much of a learning experience! Once I'm on the water I will follow up your kind offers.
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I am also at Bridgemarsh and will look out for your Pioneer. Let me know if you need any help.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
Was at Bridgemarsh today, just checking available berths. John was very helpful in suggesting a suitable spot with a wide turning circle and nothing nearby to hit. Looking to move in next week. This week is being spent exploring the Pioneer. Discovering what all holes in the bottom of the hull are for. Colin Stracey has been mentioned to me by so many people. The boat is at Essex Marina at the moment. From where I can see my potential new berth at Bridgemarsh. All that divides us is an epic trans-Crouch crossing!
 
http://narrowseasclub.co.uk/ No Tuition but worth considering


hartswood said:
Great advice and very kind offers. I'll take a tour of the clubs. I had originally intended basing myself in the Blackwater, but took a fancy to Bridgemarsh. One concern is how it's 30 year old 9 HP Volvo copes, had it checked last Saturday and it passed it's medical. It's good to know the Crouch will be forgiving. My last attempt at getting into sailing was a course in the Canary's. I thought it would be nice and warm, I forgot it was in the middle of the Atlantic. A force 9 was a bit too much of a learning experience! Once I'm on the water I will follow up your kind offers.
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Colin Stracey (another vote for him, by the way) used to keep his boat at Bridgemarsh, so he knows it, and John, very well. I am sure he will be really helpful and boost your confidence no end.
We also used to be at Bridgemarsh. It is a good choice for sheltered river sailing - you can either go up river with the tide, anchor for lunch and catch the tide back, or do the same down river when LW is in the middle of the day. Be careful to allow for the tide though - you won't be able to get in or out an hour or two either side of LW.
 
Almost ready to make the Crouch crossing, but have a few tasks to complete. I am missing mainsheet, boom vang and furling genoa rigging. Should I call a rigger in or are they simple enough for a beginner to complete. Prior to my purchase thieves stole one of the batteries. I need to get an electrician to delve into the Spaghetti junction of wiring in the battery compartment. Got locked in Essex Marina's boatyard tonight.
 
hartswood said:
Almost ready to make the Crouch crossing, but have a few tasks to complete. I am missing mainsheet, boom vang and furling genoa rigging. Should I call a rigger in or are they simple enough for a beginner to complete..
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Straightforward if you know your way around a yacht, if you're struggling there's any number of us around here who'll happily lend a hand in return for appropriate beverages in reasonable (or sometimes unreasonable!) quantities!

hartswood said:
Prior to my purchase thieves stole one of the batteries. I need to get an electrician to delve into the Spaghetti junction of wiring in the battery compartment. .
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I couldn't possibly comment! :cool:
 
hartswood said:
Almost ready to make the Crouch crossing, but have a few tasks to complete. I am missing mainsheet, boom vang and furling genoa rigging. Should I call a rigger in or are they simple enough for a beginner to complete. Prior to my purchase thieves stole one of the batteries. I need to get an electrician to delve into the Spaghetti junction of wiring in the battery compartment. Got locked in Essex Marina's boatyard tonight.
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Colin will also help you with this stuff and teach as you go. IMHO it's part and parcel of the own-boat tuition stuff. For us, Colin helped us get to know our own boat which was a substantial jump up in size and gear.
 
Boat almost ready. I've got an electrician coming on Monday. Phoned Barton re rigging mainsheet and kicking strap. They were very helpful. Their technical advisor spent almost an hour on the phone with me. He examined photos of my boat before making his suggestions. Will buy the blocks today. How long do you think it should it take a take a competent person to rig up the mainsheet, kicking strap and rolling genoa? Just need two nuts for the Blake's seacocks and she should be ready for the water. Getting nervous, will she float? Yesterday evening after working on the boat at Essex Marina I stood watching the Crouch. I must admit I became at bit concerned at the apparent strength of the tidal flow! I've only got a 9.9hp 30 year old Volvo to push me along.
 
hartswood said:
Boat almost ready. I've got an electrician coming on Monday. Phoned Barton re rigging mainsheet and kicking strap. They were very helpful. Their technical advisor spent almost an hour on the phone with me. He examined photos of my boat before making his suggestions. Will buy the blocks today. How long do you think it should it take a take a competent person to rig up the mainsheet, kicking strap and rolling genoa? Just need two nuts for the Blake's seacocks and she should be ready for the water. Getting nervous, will she float? Yesterday evening after working on the boat at Essex Marina I stood watching the Crouch. I must admit I became at bit concerned at the apparent strength of the tidal flow! I've only got a 9.9hp 30 year old Volvo to push me along.
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when we started on the Deben we had a massive 4hp evenrude, dont worry twill ok
 
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