Stepping up to a proper yacht - update

[Topcat47]

I started or rather restarted by sailing an Ocean 75. I "learnt" to sail on Bosun dinghies and a Victory. Then bought my first (and only ) boat. Stil "learning" but enjoying every moment out on the water. Someone once said "it's the journey, not the destination". For me it's a mixture. I like mucking about in the Solent but I love leaving from one port and arriving at another. Especially if it's in another country ( the CIs count for me ).

 

[solent clown]

I started or rather restarted by sailing an Ocean 75. I "learnt" to sail on Bosun dinghies and a Victory. Then bought my first (and only ) boat. Stil "learning" but enjoying every moment out on the water. Someone once said "it's the journey, not the destination". For me it's a mixture. I like mucking about in the Solent but I love leaving from one port and arriving at another. Especially if it's in another country ( the CIs count for me ).

that is just how we feel, we are very much looking forward to striking out ourselves too. Thanks for that post :encouragement:

 

[solent clown]

I really like your posts. They bring back memories of our first 'big' yacht, an Achilles 24. Like you we stepped up from dinghies (Enterprises in our case), and just went for it. I had a fair knowledge of navigation and pilotage, as, also like you, I was brought up yards from the sea, but looking back, we were very green. Our first trip was from Rye to Brighton. We were absolutely terrified. But we made it.
The Solent is much maligned, but it still provides good sailing and interesting places if you avoid weekends! Good sailing.

Lovely post. being a bit green about things is part of the thrill, and the key ingredient to all the best stories

 

[solent clown]

Like you, I moved up fron dinghies to trailer sailers and then to small yachts, but many years ago. Also like you, I didn’t like to use the sat nav at first, until one day I took the lines of a Hurley 22 arriving at a pontoon single handed. I noticed a small 5 inch chart plotter positioned under the spray hood. When I saw how useful it was I bought one and am really glad I did. You don’t have to be a slave to it but mine has stopped me from running aground on several occasions. With all the dodging about necessary because of the traffic in the Solent, it makes life that much easier.

I will get sucked in to it all soon enough, another upgrade like bucket to flushing loo! I am not a "purist" just a bit resistant to change sometimes for no better reason than nostalgia!

 

[MOBY2]

Managed to get a sail in before work this morning, it was great, nice NW breeze, managed to get to Cobnor, had a hot chocolate then back up to the bridge at Hayling, 5-5.5 knots most of the time had a nice little sail, tell Karen to get a brighter hat, couldn`t see her from where I was today, keep us posted on your adventures... 3 years on and I still can`t get enough of sailing.