Relative newbie - advice on small yachts / gaining more experience, etc

I would just say don't go miles to buy a boat, the one for you is probably on the Clyde now.

Also it doesn't have to be perfect first time, your ideal boat could be different in 3 years, it would be good to get it close though.

Re navigation: on the Clyde you can see where you are going, or it's round the corner you can see ahead. You have done the course and know the principles, which is good, but you won't use traditional navigation much. Best to redo the course when you plan to head out of the Clyde then it's still fresh in your mind.

I have been singlehanding without autopilot this last season and have been playing about with heaving to, it's a useful technique if you have practiced it, it took me a few tries to get the head sail furling right so I slowed right down, but an autohelm is a wonderful thing when you have had to do without.

I know a couple of folk who keep boats in Kip, they have a small boat rate too, but I suspect it's more than JWD as it's closer to the action.
 
My boat is parked in JWD and very friendly, pleasant and sheltered it is too. But, there is always a "but", it takes a fair while to get down (and up) river and Clydeports do not approve of sail only above No1 buoy. I know that the Solentites might regard a mere 1.7nm motor before sailing as a luxury but there are better options on the Clyde. You would also need a radio (and licence?) to contact Estuary Control.
Have you considered a swinging mooring or even joining a club? There is a Spring 25 for sale at JWD which spent its summers, when not cruising, on a mooring at Ashton off the RGYC (club launch). Gie's a PM if you would like more info.
 
aquaplane said:
I would just say don't go miles to buy a boat, the one for you is probably on the Clyde now.

SNIP....

I know a couple of folk who keep boats in Kip, they have a small boat rate too, but I suspect it's more than JWD as it's closer to the action.
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Thanks Bob, good info.
I have a couple of irons in the fire already, though I have only viewed one so far. Kip is too far from work / home for my liking, though its' location is great. JWD fits my travel plans better, downside being the motor down the channel first...
 
awol said:
My boat is parked in JWD and very friendly, pleasant and sheltered it is too. But, there is always a "but", it takes a fair while to get down (and up) river and Clydeports do not approve of sail only above No1 buoy. I know that the Solentites might regard a mere 1.7nm motor before sailing as a luxury but there are better options on the Clyde. You would also need a radio (and licence?) to contact Estuary Control.
Have you considered a swinging mooring or even joining a club? There is a Spring 25 for sale at JWD which spent its summers, when not cruising, on a mooring at Ashton off the RGYC (club launch). Gie's a PM if you would like more info.
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I had a look at JWD marina today and had a chat with them; seem like nice folks. The location in relation to travel to and fro is better than all the rest, the downside as you mention being the motoring to get out into sailing teritory. Everything in life is a compromise...

I cant imagine getting a VHF licence being much of an issue, in fact it is something I had already planned on doing. All good things to consider!
 
stevie69p said:
I had a look at JWD marina today and had a chat with them; seem like nice folks. The location in relation to travel to and fro is better than all the rest, the downside as you mention being the motoring to get out into sailing teritory. Everything in life is a compromise...
r!
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How are you getting there the extra 10 minutes on land is an hour by boat at least and the stretch from the cloch is one of the few places in the Clyde that it is affected by tide so unless racing is involved the Kip is a far nicer option but at a cost.
Kip has far more options for an evening sail and is much nicer location i.e. not a old manky dock tarted up
You pays your money and takes your pick?
 
I'm not sure I follow entirely.
Surely once motoring out past say, the Esplanade at Greenock, the whole sailing area in the Gareloch, Loch Long and Holy Loch are fairly accessible? That would cover my evening sailing needs, with weekend sailing less of an issue for the extra sailing down to the Cumbraes for example.

I found the 'Manky Old Dock tarted up' quite endearing, but then maybe I'm just a fan of the post industrial look :p
There are certainly no shortage of boats berthed there at the moment...

You do indeed pay yer money and take yer choice.
 
stevie69p said:
I'm not sure I follow entirely.
Surely once motoring out past say, the Esplanade at Greenock, (it's a mile and and half each way under engine) the whole sailing area in the Gareloch, Loch Long and Holy Loch are fairly accessible? That would cover my evening sailing needs, with weekend sailing less of an issue for the extra sailing down to the Cumbraes for example.

I found the 'Manky Old Dock tarted up' quite endearing, but then maybe I'm just a fan of the post industrial look :p
There are certainly no shortage of boats berthed there at the moment...

You do indeed pay yer money and take yer choice.
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anyone one got a contact for the crazy people that keep their boats in the docks behind the new pub , I mean who would have thought that putting a boat in an unused for 20 years dock would work :p, in fact , they could even do that up at the science centre , there are 3 empty ones up there :encouragement:
 
So................... thought I'd post an update on the situation:

I have just completed on the purchase of a Northshore (MG) Spring 25. The layout was pretty much what I was looking for, along with a boat that feels a good size but not too big. Now the snagging list before launching begins! No doubt I will be posting looking for advice on various things to do with said 'new to me' boat...
 
stevie69p said:
So................... thought I'd post an update on the situation:

I have just completed on the purchase of a Northshore (MG) Spring 25. The layout was pretty much what I was looking for, along with a boat that feels a good size but not too big. Now the snagging list before launching begins! No doubt I will be posting looking for advice on various things to do with said 'new to me' boat...
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Excellent news! congratualtions :)
 
Thank you both. Excited and looking forward to a) sorting out the bits and bobs needing done and b) going sailing!

She is named "Earrach" which is Gaelic for Springtime...
 
The Spring is quite a lively, sporty little yacht. It's got quite a following in the "round the cans clubs". As a "new returnee to sailing" I'd only say "Reef it Early". I crewed on one about five years ago and the skipper used to say "if you think you might be carrying a bit too much sail; you already are" and he wasn't noticeably unsuccessful.
 
Topcat47 said:
The Spring is quite a lively, sporty little yacht. It's got quite a following in the "round the cans clubs". As a "new returnee to sailing" I'd only say "Reef it Early". I crewed on one about five years ago and the skipper used to say "if you think you might be carrying a bit too much sail; you already are" and he wasn't noticeably unsuccessful.
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Thanks. Already noted in the researching of boat before purchase. Can see me venturing out with double reefed main on first voyage in a F2....;)
 
Just a wee update to this thread I started months ago...

My 'new to me' boat was lifted in at the start of the week after a good few months of nights and weekends spent doing lots of jobs. Still bits and pieces to do on an ongoing basis, but the bigger jobs are done. Myself and a couple of guys from my sailing club ventured out for a couple of hours yesterday (I was a bit nervous tbh) and the engine behaved, and we had a short sail too. Today, 2 of us went out for 4 hours in variable winds from 2 to 20 knots, tried out the reefing system (1st reef put in at 15 knots, maybe a tad conservative) and had a cracking sail, cracked open a couple of beers to celebrate. I'm a happy newbie sailor today :)

Well pleased with the boat. Thanks for everyone's help who contributed with advice.
 
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