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st0ne5ish

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Chichester, UK
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Hi All,

I have always wanted to learn to sail my ultimate aim is to buy a small boat next year, something like a Hurley 22 and sail it in the Solent (I live next to Chichester Harbour).

I just don't know how to get to my aim, I am a complete novice with no real experience of sailing or being crew on a boat. Obviously there are many sailing clubs around Chichester Harbour and some RYA training centres, so I would appreciate any advice from people who have learnt to sail on the best way to go about it. I was thinking of maybe doing the Competent Crew course this summer and then the Day Skipper theory over the winter. Then the Day Skipper practical in the spring, is that realistic?

Is anyone able to recommend a club in the Chichester area where I might be able to get some practical experience?

Also how have people gone about finding a mooring?

Many thanks in advance.

Steve
 
How old are you?

Married, family?

single and able to crew at the drop of a hat?

current hobbies? walking, canoeing etc. i.e. can you bring anything to the party, map reading etc...

fit, crippled, hanging on for dear life?

It may be worth filling out your bio on here to give skippers the chance to have a look, there are plenty who need crew casually and you may get some great opportunities on here. I would definitely suggest a few trips on boats and see if you take to it and get a better idea of what's what before formal training.

Another option to make a start is to get a group of like minded friends together and charter a skippered boat somewhere nice and hot like greece..
 
There are lots of dinghy clubs in Chi harbour, I would recommend learning to sail first - this is best and fastest done in a dinghy, something stable like a Wayfarer. The skills you acquire will be instantly transferable to a yacht.
 
Book a course and see if you like it. RYA taster weekend or Comp crew for 5 days. If you like it then ask again and you might get some sailing in. Look at lots and work out your finances before buying...pay careful attention to where you will berth the boat ... anyone will tell you it's the berthing that can hurt the wallet.
 
[ QUOTE ]
...I would recommend learning to sail first - this is best and fastest done in a dinghy, something stable like a Wayfarer. The skills you acquire will be instantly transferable to a yacht.

[/ QUOTE ]
+1.
Doing the Competent Crew course would also help getting to sail on OPB* as you would know what the basics are and could be trusted to pull the correct bit of string when instructed!!
Useful for helping decide what boat to eventually get for yourself.
*(OPB = Other Peoples Boats)
 
Sorry a bit more info, 34 years old, live with my partner and 2 young kids. I do get quite a bit of free time in the evenings and some weekends as we have grandparents who love to have the kids. Physically fit, I spent as much time as I could for a couple of summers canoeing around Chichester harbour with a sit on top canoe, mainly dreaming about owning one of the many yachts that cruised past /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Now at last I have a bit of money to spend on a boat and some training (budget about 7-8k in total) but really need some advice on the best way to get started. Thanks.
 
Good on ya.

Go on - just get out there! What are you afraid of?

Ask around who you know who may want crew. Put yourself out and sign up; help out, watch and learn and practise.

Of course it's realistic to do your Dazed Kipper in the spring a season after your theory. But it's a little slow perhaps. How about signing up for a week-long course to take you there this summer? Go on, just do it. And by the way, well done for seeking some endorsement and taking it seriously.

There's something called the internet, which I believe you are familiar with, which tells you all about sailing clubs in Chichester, RYA courses, and even people asking for crew if you ask it. Go on. You can do it.

Finally, the advice to learn in a dinghy is very sound. In a dinghy it's all much more immediate and you learn so much faster about balance, trim and where the wind is.

So your first two months are learning to sail a dinghy. Just do it. Your second two - that takes you until maybe the end of September - are getting some experience on a yacht and maybe doing a Competent Crew course (eminently missable if you have any experience). And your third two are doing your Day Skipper theory and practical. Then you can congratulate yourself on a summer's recreation well spent and leap into the second-hand boat market in the slump of winter. Spend a few winter nights and even weekends doing up your dream... wait for it as February can be cruel... and start 2010 the way you know you want to.

While you're at it, buy the yachting magazines and scour the boring pages for adverts and tips. YM is the real cruiser's mag. There's something called Sailing Today which is to be taken less seriously but you may enjoy it. Practical Boat Owner is for the man who spends lots of time doing his boat up - that's your use of the winter, remember - so is probably of use.

Good luck. Find out. Take reasonable safety precautions. Just do it.
 
Dont foget to involve the partner and kids in this endevour,best bet a dinghy then a small bilge keeler for chichester ,there are still places to keep a boat cheaply in Dell Quay etc
 
[ QUOTE ]
Go on - just get out there! What are you afraid of?

[/ QUOTE ]Great attitude... but the question of how the yougsters fit in strikes me as essential.

My 4 year old has great fun out on our 22' trailer-sailor... but often larking around in and out of the cabin in a way that wouldn't be possible in a large dingy like a wayfarer.

My niece (aged 11) is up for holidays in a floating caravan... but never did take to smaller craft.

Nothing against the above advice, but I'd look up cruising clubs as well: main this is to get somewhere that feels right for the whole family.
 
All the advice about starting in dinghies and finding a local sailing club is very sound but if you want to dip your toe in the water of bigger boats I have a very under-used 31ft Beneteau at Emsworth which I would be happy to take you out on.PM me if you're interested. I am retired and living in Chi.
 
Welcome to the forums. Mudstick's offer sounds like a perfect match for your problem.
The invoice will be in tonight's post. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
"Go on - just get out there! What are you afraid of?"!

thats what i would say - and smaller boats = more fun -

as some-one else said a little 22ft bilge keeler (2k fully equipped max) is ideal for chi and solent - kids can sleep on board - and you can just get started yourself without having to pay out for courses etc - and be your own boss -

perfect - nothing to stop you ....

ps - i would only go the minimum -i.e. 22ft/2k to begin with -
 
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