New to sailing? - Part 3
New to sailing? - Part 3 |
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Ok, got you so far. But what about choosing my boat? |
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Now you have chosen you club and are learning to sail, you will see the types of boat that are sailed at your club. First you need to decide if you are looking for a single handed boat to sail on your own or one with a crew. If you are not sure of that then ask someone if you can crew for them. Whilst you are out sailing you get a great opportunity to ask them about their experiences. Do you have someone who is wiling to crew your boat in mind? Have they stated sailing too? Try out a sail together using a club or borrowed boat. It is surprising how some people really get on well when sailing together and others, best of friends on shore, just do not make a team in a boat. The only way is to try it out a few times. If this is your first boat then there is no need to spend a lot of money for your learning experience. You can find boats that are the same class as others sailed at your club quite cheaply. They will be several years old and will not win the National Championship, but, if sound, will give you loads of fun and cost remarkably little. |
A family goes for a sail in the sun in a Mirror dinghy. |
The life of a maintained sailing dinghy is long. There are many examples of ordinary club boats, still regularly sailed, that are over 30 years old. This means that, if you buy a sound one of these, its value will not depreciate much. Depending upon the class of boat, for a single or double handed sailing dinghy to get started, you can have your own boat for as little as, say, between £300 and £500. As long as you keep it sound you will be able to sell it on for virtually the same again. Good deal, eh? Such a boat is great for learning the basics and will give you loads of fun. When you are wanting to make progress in races (you will KNOW when this is), then you will want a better boat. One of the great things about sailing is that sailors are a mutually supportive lot. Advice, and opinions!, are readily available - and it won’t necessarily cost you more than a pint a time! To see some alternatives try the Solo singlehander or the other boats that race in the Restricted Fleet. |
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Click here to find out more about Wraysbury Lake. |
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