sailing on windermere

[just add water]

Looking for advise on how we can get sailing lessons on windermere is it best through one of the clubs or pay some one to teach us on our boat just dont want ripped off but again more than willing to pay the right person never braved it past the engine swmbo just mentioned the other night when we got kids tucked up in bed nice glass of wine "its huge but you dont know how to use it yet "and i had to agree ,so sailing lessons it is. any sound advise on who to contact would be great to be honest would prefer it on our boat

 

[aquaplane]

Our lass did a course with Elaine @ Total, she thought it was really good
:http://www.totalsailing.co.uk/newpages/rya.htm

The bloke from Maiden usually charters one of the OB Sailing boats, or he may be OB Sailing, I don't know what he is like. http://www.maiden-marine.co.uk/yacht-tuition.php

There is Ark Sailing too, they were on The Lakes with Rory, don't know what they are like either.

 

[A1Sailor]

If you haven't sailed before, but have bought a "huge" boat, I'd do a dinghy sailing course. Then get some "own boat tuition". Probably no factual basis for my advice - it just seems to make sense.
Start off learning the basics, where if you get it wrong all that happens is you get wet!

 

[dunedin]

If you haven't sailed before, but have bought a "huge" boat, I'd do a dinghy sailing course. Then get some "own boat tuition". Probably no factual basis for my advice - it just seems to make sense.
Start off learning the basics, where if you get it wrong all that happens is you get wet!

+1. There used to be a dinghy sailing training centre near Keswick. Worth practising out of sight of your neighbours

 

[Lakesailor]

Our lass did a course with Elaine @ Total, she thought it was really good
:http://www.totalsailing.co.uk/newpages/rya.htm

The bloke from Maiden usually charters one of the OB Sailing boats, or he may be OB Sailing, I don't know what he is like. http://www.maiden-marine.co.uk/yacht-tuition.php

There is Ark Sailing too, they were on The Lakes with Rory, don't know what they are like either.

Elaine and Richard are both instructors, but I notice they have left the loft above the sailing club. Don't know if they are still operating.
Outrun
OB Sailing
Ark Sailing
Total Sailing

Not sure if any of the other trainers on the lake do more than dinghy or small keel boats. There would be little point in learning on a dinghy and then struggling to convert that knowledge to a 30 ft yacht.
You need to ask for own-boat training.

I can't see any point in not learning on Windermere if your boat is here. An instructor will impart knowledge on procedures and hazards particular to the lake.
It would also be much wiser to have own boat instruction as you will be learning about your boat not some different one.

 

[Seajet]

There would be little point in learning on a dinghy and then struggling to convert that knowledge to a 30 ft yacht.
You need to ask for own-boat training.

Lakesailor,

I have to disagree; learning on dinghies teaches all the instincts as to trim - fore & aft + ballast crew weight laterally - and a responsive boat which quickly tells one if doing things right or wrong will stand one in good staid for later boats of any size.

Must admit I wonder about 30' yachts on Windermere though - presumably the 'country cottage' appeal, along with the point there aren't many decent harbours on the nearby coasts.

 

[aquaplane]

Elaine is still Total Sailing but she has moved into a bigger building next door to where she was over the LDBC.

If a man asks about home boat tuition there is no point sending him to a dingy sailing school unless he has a dingy. There is no point learning about trimming a dingy if you are going to sail a 30' boat where it doesn't really matter where you sit.

 

[Seajet]

Aquaplane,

it certainly does matter where one sits on a 30' boat; but my point is that a dinghy being much more responsive in every way teaches by instant feedback the good & bad things to do or avoid.

I haven't met a good sailor yet who didn't learn on dinghies; ballasted keel cruisers of over say 17' will tolerate all sorts of bad, sloppy habits !

 

[Lakesailor]

Quite Aquaplane. The concept of learning to sail a dinghy and then still struggling with mooring, setting sails, manoeuvring under motor, judging wind strength and sailing accordingly in a largish keel boat would make the knowledge gained in a dinghy a waste of money.

The OP wants to learn how to sail his boat. So he can sail his boat on a particular stretch of water.

Are Total Sailing in the building that was Hanse then?

How weird. I just looked on Google street map at the LDSC and there appears to be Richard Pratt of Total Sailing walking out of the door!

 

[Seajet]

Things like picking up moorings are a lot different to 'learning to sail'; if the OP is ever to get the best out of his boat - talking enjoyment and quite possibly safety - (one can get embayed on rocky shores even on Windermere ) - not racing - if vaguely fit enough he would learn a lot from responsive dinghies rather than a cruiser which will tolerate a lot of poor sail setting, trim etc and usually has an inboard engine for Plan B.

Having someone experienced teach on the cruiser is a good idea; but learning the basics on a dinghy will form a good foundation.

 

[Searush]

There are advantages to dinghy sailing. It is a very quick way to learn & relatively cheap using the ideally set up school boats. This info can then be quickly transferred to own's own big boat in an afternoon or two of "assisted" sailing - also quite cheap & possibly free if offered by a forumite.

My first experience of "big boats" was on a charter & I was concerned my dinghy experience would not transfer. The charterers asked me to take one of their guys out for a couple of hours & he just observed as I did it all myself. Switching from dinghy to cruiser is easy. I expressed concern about picking up moorings with SWMBO so he suggested we try a few times, swopping roles. Again he just watched as he said we were doing OK.

Don't forget OP has had no problems with mooring or motoring, it's sailing he wants to get to grips with. The loads on a dinghy are light & balance is easy to manage, but it all tells you what is happening. On a big boat sheet loads can be frightening & it isn't easy to now when things are "not right".

Final comment I have taken experienced dinghy racers out on a former boat for their first cruising experience & they took to it like a duck to water, fussing over sail trim to my great amusement.

 

[aquaplane]

Aquaplane,

it certainly does matter where one sits on a 30' boat;

No it doesn't.

I haven't met a good sailor yet who didn't learn on dinghies; ballasted keel cruisers of over say 17' will tolerate all sorts of bad, sloppy habits !

You haven't met me

This isn't getting the OP sorted with his training needs, do you know of a training establishment on Windermere where he can get some own boat training?

Lakie, yes it's the Hanse building, I think she is now the Hanse dealer, she worked their stand at a couple of boat shows IIRC.

 

[Lakesailor]

Must admit I wonder about 30' yachts on Windermere though - presumably the 'country cottage' appeal, along with the point there aren't many decent harbours on the nearby coasts.

Here a forum question from a 53' Hanse owner on Windermere. Read about the job they had delivering it

Also a 55' mobo

 

[A1Sailor]

There is no point learning about trimming a dingy if you are going to sail a 30' boat where it doesn't really matter where you sit.

I think you are wrong - but as long as you are comfortable with your opinion you are perfectly entitled to it. Good for you!

 

[bignick]

Lakie, yes it's the Hanse building, I think she is now the Hanse dealer, she worked their stand at a couple of boat shows IIRC.

I think she's joined forces and become part of the Michael Schmidt group. Would highly recommend her - always very helpful.

Nick

 

[Windy Tonique]

Elaine is now at micheal Schmidt if you go on the website you can pick up her email. Have you bought the boat through a broker? They should be able to put you in touch with someone. Which boat have you bought?

 

[dunedin]

Here a forum question from a 53' Hanse owner on Windermere. Read about the job they had delivering it

Each to their own, but a 53 foot boat on Windermere would be soooooooo frustrating to me. Fantastic place for a First 21, Elan 210 or a wooden dayboat perhaps.

But a 53 footer to me would be like having an Aston Martin on Sanda Island

 

[Seajet]

Aquaplane,

it certainly does matter where one sits on a 30' boat;
No it doesn't.

Tell me that again if and when you manage to get any experience...

 

[Lucky Duck]

At that size, the only place where crew position would make a noticable difference to the average non-racer would be at the bow. Certainly sitting on the 'wrong' side of the cockpit isn't going to be the end of the world.

 

[Seajet]

Crew trim

Simon,

I've owned a 30' fin keel Carter 30 cruiser / racer; while it will not exactly tip such a boat over, it's still a good idea to have crew weight 'on the high side'; this also has the major benefit of giving the crew a view of what's going on and the scenery, both for interest and hopefully avoiding seasickness + helping with the lookout.

It's also generally much more comfortable sitting to windward in the cockpit, if it's a well designed one, legs braced against the leeward side - though I do insist on someone looking out under the jib every couple of minutes.