Starting out at sea

[ShipsWoofy]

You have had some good answers so far, especially Searush's contribution.

I would also forget electronics at this stage, you will spend more time trying to keep them safe than it's worth, such as, if you stop somewhere you want to be able to leave the boat without worrying about stuff getting nicked, carrying everything is going to be a right pain.

A compass should be all you require, ritchie do some smart little dinghy sized ones that I wish had been around when I was using dinghies.

I would add if you are planning to stop out for a good period, warm clothes and a dry bag to keep them that way. If you do end up rowing home and run late, you need to stay warm. Some of the most serious small boat problems begin when the crew starts to get mild hypothermia as they are out in shorts and t-shirts.

Did anyone mention buoyancy aids and a torch? Also don't underestimate the amount of fluid you will need if you are out in the sun all day with no shelter, that brings on sunscreen and a good brimmed hat.

All these items are what you would carry if hiking up a hill on a sunny day, anything else is just extra weight. Lash important things like the water and flares to the boat.

 

[fireball]

I'll add a suggestion - find a local sailing club, most are friendly (search around till you find one you like if possible) and see about joining. The advantages are that they will quite likely have like minded members that you can sail in company with.

TBH in 25 years of dinghy sailing (where I'm helm) I've not needed an aux engine, it is all about reading the conditions and not venturing further than is safe to do so for the conditions - not much wind - stay close to the launch site, too much wind - don't leave the launch site! Although I can understand the requirement if you are intending to day sail a lot - then you can't always predict what will happen!

HH GPS ~ £100 unless you want one that has charts on .. I've got the basic Etrex, superb little unit if a little basic - never needed it for Nav in the dinghy though ... still - it's recorded my top speed quite nicely!
If you can afford it, then fine, but I'd say its more important to have the right clothing first.

VHF and Mini Flares are very sensible for day sailing - probably more so than GPS (the RNLI/CG can fix your possition with a VHF signal so as long as you know roughly where you are!). Make sure you get a good HH as you will be relying on it. The Cheapo ones are not always as good as they portray!

 

[Csail]

A really sharp diving knife to hand is essential , it has saved us on two accasions. 1. crew got leg caught in anchor rope in a big swell. 2. rope got caught going down in a lock.

 

[EdWingfield]

Follow John Perry's advice. It's as good, or better than anything in a book - and it's free

http://www.btinternet.com/~sail/cruising.htm

 

[steve6367]

Is a GPS not useful in any boat if you have to send a Mayday?

Withe the handheld VHF sounds like a good idea to me.....

 

[gandy]

Not much has been said about the boat. What sort is it? Maybe you have this covered, but some form of reefing is useful or necessary in most dinghies. On our Wayfarer we had one big slab reef in the main, reducing it to about 60%, and the jib was on a roller reefing system.

 

[PaulJS]

Thanks to everyone for all of the good advice and interesting links.
I think that I'll definitely be joining one of the local sailing clubs and taking things nice and slow.
However, if any of you are sailing in the Scottish side of the Solway Firth, please watch out for a small blue Mayfly dinghy!
Cheers! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Wunja]

[ QUOTE ]
A really sharp diving knife to hand is essential , it has saved us on two accasions. 1. crew got leg caught in anchor rope in a big swell. 2. rope got caught going down in a lock.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you're looking at sharpe cutting things, I would recommend a pair of the EMS scisors like these

in preference to a divers knife. They cut through 12mm rope without trouble, but also mono filament line which knives struggle with (and you can't accidently stab yourself).

Vince.

 

[richardabeattie]

Learn with others. join a club?

 

[bamspm]

Take special care if the wind is offshore for your first outings, it can often appear deceptively calm from the shore.