mrming
Well-Known Member
Brilliant.
We hired a 30ft gaffer on the Broads for a week early this year - I know what I'm doing and it was tricky enough to handle in the narrow rivers. Fair play to you!
When taught you to sail?
- Thread starter BarryH
- Start date
Brilliant.
We hired a 30ft gaffer on the Broads for a week early this year - I know what I'm doing and it was tricky enough to handle in the narrow rivers. Fair play to you!
prv
Well-Known Member
Granny-in-Kenya (that's the only name I ever knew her by; I think she was my great-grandmother) died when I was about four or five and my dad and his brother inherited a modest sum of money. Between them they bought a Wayfarer, and named it Jambo ("hello" in the Swahili language used in Kenya, apparently). I was taken out in that, initially as passenger (I remember being put to bed in a bag under the foredeck one day when I started getting cold) and then as crew working the jib. I probably did some helming, but I don't really remember much of it.
Then, when I was seven or eight, my dad bought a Mirror, which we named Pootle, to be my boat. I think for the first summer I mostly sailed with him, but after that it was usually me and my younger brother, or a friend, or sometimes just me. One or other of my parents would usually stay on the beach, or in my grandma's garden that overlooked the water, to keep a long-range eye on us. We used to launch off the beach a little way to the west of Emsworth Sailing Club, and roam around the top end of Chichester Harbour. In the Wayfarer we sometimes went all the way to East Head, but I don't remember ever taking the Mirror that far. We did once trailer it to West Wales, behind my mum's Metro, and sailed in Milford Haven.
I can't remember exactly when our dinghy-sailing years ended - probably when I moved school at 13. That's also about the time my parents discovered Med charter holidays, and I learned about sailing "big boats". I'd been on my grandfathers' yachts when I was younger, but hadn't really played any part in sailing them. After school I did a brief stint in the Army under their Gap Year Commission scheme, and was swiftly co-opted onto the battalion sailing team. That was my first taste of "serious sailing" (night navigation, weather, etc) as opposed to drifting around the Med.
After that a few years of chartering with friends (one other sailor, others willing to learn) and a Dazed Kipper practical (to help persuade charter companies to lend their boats to a gang of young lads), and then I started saving to buy my own boat. A few more years down the line I mentioned this to my dad - once he realised that it was a real plan (dedicated savings account with a sizeable standing order every month) and not a daydream, he suggested we go into partnership on Kindred Spirit because he had the capital but not the time or inclination to restore and maintain a boat, whereas I live near the sea and enjoy working with my hands.
So - I can't remember not knowing how to sail a dinghy, but I've been learning about boats and sailing all my life, and am still doing so.
This forum's taught me a hell of a lot, too!
Pete
Then, when I was seven or eight, my dad bought a Mirror, which we named Pootle, to be my boat. I think for the first summer I mostly sailed with him, but after that it was usually me and my younger brother, or a friend, or sometimes just me. One or other of my parents would usually stay on the beach, or in my grandma's garden that overlooked the water, to keep a long-range eye on us. We used to launch off the beach a little way to the west of Emsworth Sailing Club, and roam around the top end of Chichester Harbour. In the Wayfarer we sometimes went all the way to East Head, but I don't remember ever taking the Mirror that far. We did once trailer it to West Wales, behind my mum's Metro, and sailed in Milford Haven.
I can't remember exactly when our dinghy-sailing years ended - probably when I moved school at 13. That's also about the time my parents discovered Med charter holidays, and I learned about sailing "big boats". I'd been on my grandfathers' yachts when I was younger, but hadn't really played any part in sailing them. After school I did a brief stint in the Army under their Gap Year Commission scheme, and was swiftly co-opted onto the battalion sailing team. That was my first taste of "serious sailing" (night navigation, weather, etc) as opposed to drifting around the Med.
After that a few years of chartering with friends (one other sailor, others willing to learn) and a Dazed Kipper practical (to help persuade charter companies to lend their boats to a gang of young lads), and then I started saving to buy my own boat. A few more years down the line I mentioned this to my dad - once he realised that it was a real plan (dedicated savings account with a sizeable standing order every month) and not a daydream, he suggested we go into partnership on Kindred Spirit because he had the capital but not the time or inclination to restore and maintain a boat, whereas I live near the sea and enjoy working with my hands.
So - I can't remember not knowing how to sail a dinghy, but I've been learning about boats and sailing all my life, and am still doing so.
This forum's taught me a hell of a lot, too!
Pete
Cafloat
Well-Known Member
Your first boat was a Fireball. Wow, definitely a steep learning curve. I always fancied one but not brave enough.
My Dad built a GP14 when I was about five and I learnt to sail in that. I did not like being cold and wet and tipping over though. A few years later when we moved up to yachts I enjoyed the sailing a lot more.
Joker
Well-Known Member
At school, 300 miles from the sea, in 1963.
Gwylan
Well-Known Member
1965 or thereabouts courtesy of Cardiff City Council, the Dairy Council and CCPR ( Central Council for Physical Recreation). And some generous guys who let's a band of teenagers use their boats
Then motley improvement courses from CCPR.
The rest is history and money down a black hole. But it has been fun.
Then motley improvement courses from CCPR.
The rest is history and money down a black hole. But it has been fun.
Vara
Well-Known Member
1956 got first rowing boat, aged five.
Dinghy sailing at school, including crewing on sliding seat Hornet. Then the army,campaigning 470s and Ospreys, got fed up with too much time in the water and graduated to big boats and collected loads of courses and haven't been in a dinghy since.
Dinghy sailing at school, including crewing on sliding seat Hornet. Then the army,campaigning 470s and Ospreys, got fed up with too much time in the water and graduated to big boats and collected loads of courses and haven't been in a dinghy since.
Uricanejack
Well-Known Member
I never sailed when I was a youngster
A few trips on the Ballachulish Ferry.
Messed about in all kinds of old clinker row boats, even put a seagull on a couple mostly for fishing.
20, Redundant, Unemployed, bitter twisted , no idea what to do with the rest of my life other than the dole.
Saw an Ocean Youth Club vessel, stopped by and kicked its tires. I couldn’t afford a trip but they took me out any way. Ended up sailing on it as bosun.
Learned how to sail on a 72 ft ketch. Taught by Skipper Mark and Mate Uricanejack.
Invited by a neighbour to crew a Hunter Sonata during the winter out of Helensburgh
In later years worked my way down to Cal 20’s. even taught sailing on Cal 20’s.
Did some wind surfing on loch Lomond and English Bay.
Canoed, Kayaked, Surfed, Power Boated, Fishing Guided,
Have yet to sail a dingy.
Looking to by one if I can find a old one going cheap.
A few trips on the Ballachulish Ferry.
Messed about in all kinds of old clinker row boats, even put a seagull on a couple mostly for fishing.
20, Redundant, Unemployed, bitter twisted , no idea what to do with the rest of my life other than the dole.
Saw an Ocean Youth Club vessel, stopped by and kicked its tires. I couldn’t afford a trip but they took me out any way. Ended up sailing on it as bosun.
Learned how to sail on a 72 ft ketch. Taught by Skipper Mark and Mate Uricanejack.
Invited by a neighbour to crew a Hunter Sonata during the winter out of Helensburgh
In later years worked my way down to Cal 20’s. even taught sailing on Cal 20’s.
Did some wind surfing on loch Lomond and English Bay.
Canoed, Kayaked, Surfed, Power Boated, Fishing Guided,
Have yet to sail a dingy.
Looking to by one if I can find a old one going cheap.
onesea
Well-Known Member
+1 Dad started teaching me when I probably was not out of nappies...
Decades later I am still learning, but can report that I no longer need nappies....
Haven't-a-Clue
Well-Known Member
Who taught you to sail? Me. I'd be the first to say that I'm not the best instructor.....or the brightest student, if it comes to it! I had hardly been in a small boat (ie not a ferry or somesuch) apart from my Dad's boat one summer on Nantucket, once only. That was 1972. In 2006 I decided to get an inflatable with outboard and proceeded to take it around Chi harbour and up the river Arun for a couple of years. Then we bought a Merryfisher 625 (2007)and had a couple of years with that, before trading to a Colvic 26 in 2009. I read a couple of sailing books and went out with a friend (who had a Snapdragon at the time) and he explained how to put the book theory into practice.....which I did. Hooked, line and sinker. Sadly I had to move to a Merryfisher 805 to get dear wife to join in boating. She has agreed that when retirement arrives we'll go back to sailing. I'm missing sailing VERY much and need a fix soon, or.....
BarryH
Well-Known Member
The replies have made for brilliant reading, thankyou. So I'm not the only one that just went off sailing. I wonder what todays elf 'n' safety would make of it now?
Some really good accounts of just getting on with it and amazing how books ave inspired people to get out and do something.
Somehow I can't see todays video game generation getting inspired by the latest x box release.
Some really good accounts of just getting on with it and amazing how books ave inspired people to get out and do something.
Somehow I can't see todays video game generation getting inspired by the latest x box release.
Shakemeister
Well-Known Member
I learnt the basics of sailing thanks to the Royal Navy's adventurous training programme. I graduated from dinghies to yachts and picked up the various quals along the way.
I then had a season in Greece instructing people in how to sail. I hope I did a good job! One lady said she was going to name her new goldfish after me so I must have being something doing right.
I then had a season in Greece instructing people in how to sail. I hope I did a good job! One lady said she was going to name her new goldfish after me so I must have being something doing right.
Searush
Well-Known Member
Not sure, I was taught the basics of crewing in the Sea Scouts, but didn't get many opportunities for skippering, the older lads always grabbed the tiller. But I always fancied my own boat so I bought a 14' prototype catamaran age 19 & got one "sea trial" where I was shown how to set it up & allowed to sail it with the designer offering tips. You could tell when you were doing it right, the bloody thing almost took off in a huge shower of spray.
After that I did a lot of reading and playing off the beach in Liverpool bay & took SWMBO out on a few Welsh Lakes. How our relationship ever survived those trips I'll never know, she's the only girl I ever met that didn't mind getting sprayed with freezing cold water & half scared to death on a date, none of the others ever came back. I had several dinghies but always wanted a "proper yacht" so we tried chartering out of Mylor, 2 adults & 2 kids in a Westerly 21. Again lots of reading & I did a DIY RYA Dazed Kipper course from a library book. We had an afternoon sail with a guy "to see if we knew what we were doing" - he was happy enough, he fell asleep. The charter was brilliant, everyone enjoyed it, so we bought our own boat.
As others have said, you never stop learning (if you've got any sense that is)
After that I did a lot of reading and playing off the beach in Liverpool bay & took SWMBO out on a few Welsh Lakes. How our relationship ever survived those trips I'll never know, she's the only girl I ever met that didn't mind getting sprayed with freezing cold water & half scared to death on a date, none of the others ever came back. I had several dinghies but always wanted a "proper yacht" so we tried chartering out of Mylor, 2 adults & 2 kids in a Westerly 21. Again lots of reading & I did a DIY RYA Dazed Kipper course from a library book. We had an afternoon sail with a guy "to see if we knew what we were doing" - he was happy enough, he fell asleep. The charter was brilliant, everyone enjoyed it, so we bought our own boat.
As others have said, you never stop learning (if you've got any sense that is)
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johnalison
Well-Known Member
Nobody. That's why I'm so hopeless at it. In spite of my efforts I seldom hit bits of land and however hard I try I never seem to be able to let people go past me.
Kurrawong_Kid
Well-Known Member
Most Clubs these days have boats for hire so I think they have the opportunities but I suspect the trainees do not have sufficient confidence, practical understanding, satisfaction at sailing to bother to pursue. I remember one of a course of teenagers coming ashore after a course session. It' so boring, he said!
A friend of mine hearing this said "jump aboard" and showed him how exciting dinghy sailing can be. Learn on the job;best way!
A friend of mine hearing this said "jump aboard" and showed him how exciting dinghy sailing can be. Learn on the job;best way!
Poignard
Well-Known Member
I bought a decrepit 16-foot sloop rigged day boat and taught myself. A sometimes painful and embarrassing process!
VicS
Well-Known Member
I built a Mirror.
Took it to a Camping Club Boating Group spring bank holiday meet on the Frome at Redcliffe near Wareham.
Learnt the basics from people calling out to me from the bank.
Sailed up and down the river all week slowly getting better at it.
A good few years later I had the opportunity to do a ( free ??) dinghy sailing course run but a club associated to our works sports and social club.
Took it to a Camping Club Boating Group spring bank holiday meet on the Frome at Redcliffe near Wareham.
Learnt the basics from people calling out to me from the bank.
Sailed up and down the river all week slowly getting better at it.
A good few years later I had the opportunity to do a ( free ??) dinghy sailing course run but a club associated to our works sports and social club.
Amulet
Well-Known Member
There has been sailing in my family since I was about 5 years old so I should have learned a lot. In truth I still cock things up all the time, sometimes so badly that nappies might be a sensible precaution!
humbug716
Well-Known Member
i started on Mirrors in the early 70s at marazion. I got given a ride in an osprey and have loved them ever since. I got my Osprey in 92 when left the navy. Still got the Osprey but work on mobos. I lust after a yacht hopefully when the kids leave home.
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HinewaisMan
Well-Known Member
Learned to sail with the 1st Little Heath and Potters Bar Sea Scouts - now sadly defunt.
This was back in the '70's with GP14's down on a tiny gravel pit in Cheshunt, steering in that narrow safe space between the fishing lines.
Back at home in Melbourne, the club has a very strong Junior Sailing section. One of the joys of a Sunday morning is walking down the long pier from the marina watching the youngsters, maybe 5 years and up, messing around in the pram dinghy Sabots - so cute, heaps of laughter and giggles - generally from the adults in the myriad of safety boats required by H&S as they try to miss each other and their charges.
This was back in the '70's with GP14's down on a tiny gravel pit in Cheshunt, steering in that narrow safe space between the fishing lines.
Back at home in Melbourne, the club has a very strong Junior Sailing section. One of the joys of a Sunday morning is walking down the long pier from the marina watching the youngsters, maybe 5 years and up, messing around in the pram dinghy Sabots - so cute, heaps of laughter and giggles - generally from the adults in the myriad of safety boats required by H&S as they try to miss each other and their charges.
[70521]
Well-Known Member
I had a lot of those. The bridge is not the same.
