sailing schools and the weather

[fadboy]

Doing part 2 (3 days) of comp crew with hot liquid starting saturday through the Monday. Its down in the solent, whats peoples experience of schools in some of our more lively weather. Do they have a go or sit in the marina in anything above a F6?

I'm well up for it, apparently after this course I'll be able to drink 10 pints and tell everyone I'm a sailer

 

[jhr]

I doubt they'll call a halt because the wind is F6. The Solent is quite sheltered, so the sea state remains *relatively* subdued, even in bad weather. You might not venture out beyond the Needles or the Nab, mind you.

If it's blowing a 6 or more from the South, ask the instructor if you can try the Needles Channel on the ebb and watch his/her expression

 

[sailorman]

I doubt they'll call a halt because the wind is F6. The Solent is quite sheltered, so the sea state remains *relatively* subdued, even in bad weather. You might not venture out beyond the Needles or the Nab, mind you.

If it's blowing a 6 or more from the South, ask the instructor if you can try the Needles Channel on the ebb and watch his/her expression

we ( Me n Mrs SM ) came in there from "Old Harry" in our Co32 Spi set on the ebb
hindsight is a wonderful thing, standing waves making about 1kt over the ground thinking we shouldn't be here
a Dutchman saw what we were doing & must have thought Mmm locals & followed us in

 

[flaming]

Doing part 2 (3 days) of comp crew with hot liquid starting saturday through the Monday. Its down in the solent, whats peoples experience of schools in some of our more lively weather. Do they have a go or sit in the marina in anything above a F6?

Got quite a few instructor friends, who have been moaning about the weather for weeks. But they're out there, unless there's a full gale an RYA school boat is expected to move from its berth every day. Of course the instructor may deem it imprudent to leave harbour.

 

[ribrage]

cancel a course in a F6 ? Not very likely ! Thats perfect weather for sailing in the solent, what boat are you out on ?

 

[Skysail]

Many years ago I was on a sailing school boat on the Solent in a F6-7. There were other boats out, but we seemed to be the only boat going upwind; that is, until the mast went over the side.....we were just near the Mary Rose at the time. It was very interesting, it went very quiet! We released the rigging by taking out all the clevis pins. A fishing boat appeared as if by magic, looking for salvage, and a police boat offered a tow, but we made it back to Campers under power. The lower shroud failed due to a fatigue fracture at the chain plate. All good experience.

 

[Woodlouse]

I think for a lot of sailing schools the insurance will state that if it's blowing force 8 then you should stay in port, or risk losing your cover by putting to sea in those conditions.

Having said that when I did my yachtmaster course we were out in a force 9 on a downhill run from Weymouth to Cowes, and when I did a bit of work for UKSA last year we were out when the wind hit force 10.

So yeah, if you get anything less than a gale then you'll go sailing, any instructor will see to that.

 

[capnsensible]

Interesting about schools and force 8 plus. I've never seen that on a school policy and ours certainly doesn't. I suppose it depends on the insurer, I know there can often be large differences on individual boat policies amongst the companies. It really does pay to shop around.

As an example, almost a year ago, in the marina we are based in, a large oil spilll contaminated most of the boats. My own boat insurers paid up very promptly for quick clean to prevent damage and all subsequent work at next lift (done now). For one of my school yachts, however, I am still waiting for my claim to be settled. Guess where I will re-insure next time!!!

 

[Woodlouse]

Interesting about schools and force 8 plus. I've never seen that on a school policy and ours certainly doesn't. I suppose it depends on the insurer, I know there can often be large differences on individual boat policies amongst the companies. It really does pay to shop around.

As an example, almost a year ago, in the marina we are based in, a large oil spilll contaminated most of the boats. My own boat insurers paid up very promptly for quick clean to prevent damage and all subsequent work at next lift (done now). For one of my school yachts, however, I am still waiting for my claim to be settled. Guess where I will re-insure next time!!!

I could be wrong, it's what I was told UKSA's policy was when I did some work for them. I think it would be a fair enough though. You remain covered if you get caught out in a gale, but it is very rare that setting out to sea into one is necessary.

 

[stephenh]

"The Solent is quite sheltered, so the sea state remains *relatively* subdued, even in bad weather."

With a well found boat and a good crew I would happily leave a marina in an 8 and go and play in the Solent.

An RYA examiner once told me ( we were taking an exam in a good 7) that he had only cancelled an exam once in the Solent and that was because it was flat calm.......mark you , he knew the area very well and took us to places where the sea was 'relatively subdued'!

 

[Nico]

Comp Crew

As mentioned before it is rarely the same wind strength all over the Solent. Also, wind strength is rarely the problem: it's sea state, so you can always find somewhere flat. If conditions are really nasty for part of a day there are always things that can be done in a marina or on a sheltered mooring. I remember experiencing a force 8 on my comp crew, though it was only one day. We went out for a bit and learnt how to reef! Then I think we went into Cowes and practised knots, radio etiquette, lights and marks etc. until it was time to go to the pub.

 

[starfire]

MY 1st time in the Solent, it snowed & I avoid the place if I can ...

A saying around there is ' Schools & Fools'

 

[bateau57]

Some like it rough

BOSS emailed me the other day saying the weather was going to be 8+ for the week and there are a few places left if you want real sailing. They were planing to take advantage of the weather and were marketing as such.

I like it!

 

[jpcarter30]

They do indeed. I went out with BOSS a few years ago on a comp. crew course and it was blowing a hooley on the solent. Very interesting indeed, particularly for the mother and son combo who felt queasy!

 

[Brian blue bear]

yes

we ( Me n Mrs SM ) came in there from "Old Harry" in our Co32 Spi set on the ebb
hindsight is a wonderful thing, standing waves making about 1kt over the ground thinking we shouldn't be here
a Dutchman saw what we were doing & must have thought Mmm locals & followed us in

Just what makes sailing good..

 

[Daedelus]

A couple I know were taken out on a comp crew course on a recent weekend and encountered 55 knots off Calshot. The woman of the pair said she hadn't been able to find anything to clip on to, (had been told not to use guard rails) and spent the afternoon with a line on but secured to nothing.

Both of them were very impressed with the weather and the fact that they lost control of the boat on a number of occasions and the only other yacht they saw had had its sails shredded and was being escorted back.

He was frightened and she said she wasn't but she felt probably because she didn't know enough to be frightened.

 

[peterb]

Sooner or later while you are sailing you will be hit by strong winds. Would you rather hit them for the first time on your own, or have an experienced instructor on board?

 

[Ubergeekian]

A couple I know were taken out on a comp crew course on a recent weekend and encountered 55 knots off Calshot. The woman of the pair said she hadn't been able to find anything to clip on to, (had been told not to use guard rails) and spent the afternoon with a line on but secured to nothing.

Both of them were very impressed with the weather and the fact that they lost control of the boat on a number of occasions and the only other yacht they saw had had its sails shredded and was being escorted back.

He was frightened and she said she wasn't but she felt probably because she didn't know enough to be frightened.

Hmm. Is it considered good instructional practice to scare in gales people on their very first sailing course? Jolly gung-ho for the instructors, of course, but it does seem a little bit like giving first driving lessons on the Nürburgring ...

 

[s/v moondancer]

Lowering the standard!

Last year a friend who is a very experienced sailor, we delivered a Farr 40 together from Florida to the Caribbean, was taking the Florida version of Yachtmaster...the exam was cancelled because the boat insurance would not let them go out in anything over 25 knots.

My 4 yr-old grandson has been out in 35 knots in the same waters!

 

[fadboy]

just got back

great long weekend, we were out all day each day and it was a huge amount of fun. Never got above a f8 and it never once felt the wrong side of exciting.

My hangovers still there mind.....