Own Boat Tuition - Clyde

[yachtmerlin]

I bought my first boat last year and had a great first season. Having sailed since I was a child I am happy under sail but lack confidence when carrying out manoeuvers in marinas. To rectify this problem I am hoping to get some instruction. Can anyone recommend an instructor who might be available for evenings or weekends and be prepared to use my own boat? I am based in Rhu. Any help much appreciated.

 

[Aja]

In Rhu marina there is a couple who run (Ithink it is) Morrison-Smith. They deal particularly with powerboat handling, but will also help youlearn handling around the marins.

They have the portacabin at the top of the gangway. I notice they are not always there, but there is a phone number.

Hope this helps

Donald

 

[silver-fox]

If you would allow me to make an alternative suggestion; if you can sail you can already do the difficult bit, although I do readily admit that manoeuvring in marinas can be nerve racking.

As an alternative to tuition can I recommend that you devote a few hours to practice in the nearest friendly bay or patch of calm water.

Find a mooring buoy or similar to act as a point of reference and then pretend its your berth. This will allow you to try all sorts of different approaches and techniques, from different points of wind and tide, without fear of hitting soemthing. Many a time I have done this on taking the helm of a new boat to find out she behaves and what works and what doesn't.

I have attracted some funny glances at times charging round doing figure of eights full astern, for no apparent reason, but who cares? The main thing is that you develop confidence, skill and importantly you learn the limitations of the boat. You will also develop a real feel for how the boat handles.

Secondly when you are mooring in a marina and it starts to go wrong, abort the manoeuvre, analyse what was starting to go wrong and have another go.

Finally, - and this is a hard lesson to learn, - don't give a damn about what anybody else may be thinking. There is only one skipper and that's you. There is no benefit in being self conscious, indeed its only likely to breed panic.

I was mooring a couple of weeks ago, (I have only logged a few hours on my new boat and don't really have the familiarity I should.) Consequently It took me four goes to get into my berth. Anyway, I was making such a pigs ear of it, the marinara who had been holding the mooring line walked off in disgust he got so fed up of waiting but so what? When I finally cracked the manoeuvre the boat slid in "inch perfect" and we didn't touch a thing. Despite this I know my relatively inexperienced crew were embarrassed by their skippers obvious incompetence at not getting it right first time.

Ten minutes later a Swiss boat moored alongside bows in and then confided in us that he didn't have the skill to get in stern too, as we had, in these conditions - which changed my status for the better in the crews eyes! My point is that mostly on-lookers are not critical, they wish you well and you are unlikely to be the first at whatever mistakes you make!!

So just enjoy your sailing!

 

[paulrae]

If you fancy having a go in a 'foreign' marina, I can thoroughly recommend Tony Walton, who is based at the marina, sorry, Yacht Haven (their term, not mine), in Largs. You'd be able to contact him through the marina, sorry, Yacht Haven, office.

I was the general dog's body during some friends' Yachtmaster exam on which Tony was the examiner. He spent a significant amount of the exam time instructing the candidates, in a very thoughtful and knowledgable manner - I was impressed anyway.

Good luck

 

[cliff]

Gael Sail
or
Secondwind Sailing
Gael Sail used to work out of Troon but now work out af Largs AFAIK. Second Wind still work out of Troon.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[yachtmerlin]

Thanks to all for replies. Great advice from Silver_Fox, will give it a go as well as following up recommendations for instruction.

 

[webcraft]

[ QUOTE ]
I was the general dog's body during some friends' Yachtmaster exam on which Tony was the examiner. He spent a significant amount of the exam time instructing the candidates, in a very thoughtful and knowledgable manner - I was impressed anyway.


[/ QUOTE ] Hmmmm . . . .

This isn't really the job of a YM examiner during a YM exam as far as I am aware . . .

But back on topic, I would second GaelSail - Ron MacInnes is an excellent instructor.

- N

 

[awol]

Change to one of Rhu Marina's swinging moorings - saves money, solves the problem!

 

[Rowana]

When I bought Rowana I was also not very experienced in marina manoeuvers, so I worked out a method which works 9 times out of 10.

My berth is port side to and is on the port side when I come in to the alley which necessitates a turn to port. What I was finding was that the momentum was carrying me too far over to starboard as I turned in and I would miss my berth.

What I do now is to reverse into the alley right up to the end. Then I go ahead and turn to starboard into my berth. The momentum is now working in my favour and carries me over towards my berth instead of away from it. A kick astern and I'm there. I have a bit of a port kick in astern which also helps.

The only time this fails is if the wind is blowing me off. In this case I still carry out the same drill, but just point more into the middle of the berth rather than trying to come in parallel.

Get loads of fenders out and try coming alongside at the end of some pontoons, or a long pontoon, to start with. If it all goes pear shaped, then just push off and go round and have another go. If you are anything like me, you'll be far too scared of scraping the paintwork and end up parking beautifully parallel to the pontoon, but about 2 or 3 meters out from it!

HTH.