Sailing

[Old Salt]

This is the one I think is suitable to start, what do you think?

RYA Day Skipper

A comprehensive introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship. "The best RYA online theory course. Lessons are clear, entertaining, engaging and easy to follow and questions are answered quickly by helpful instructors."

www.skippersonline.net

Definitely, thats how I started. Classroom theory (no online in my day) then a weeks practical. Great fun sailing the Solent and going past my house almost!

 

[Highway Man]

Definitely, thats how I started. Classroom theory (no online in my day) then a weeks practical. Great fun sailing the Solent and going past my house almost!

I am thinking the online section or portion of the course should be good for the theory then concentrate purely on the practical sailing side without the pressure of having to do the theory.

 

[fillyboy]

I am thinking the online section or portion of the course should be good for the theory then concentrate purely on the practical sailing side without the pressure of having to do the theory.

I did one evening a week in a classroom for dayskipper, cost about 30 or 40 quid (adult education centres were heavily subsidised back then).
Enjoyed it so much I did the Yachtmaster theory the following term.

Never did a practical, I was lucky I had friends who had experience so they helped in the early days, it can be scary on your own the first few times, in fact I don't think I ever stopped being a little scared, at night or in fog, or just being out of sight of land and all you can see is sea, or getting caught in weather a lot rougher than forecast.

 

[Highway Man]

I did one evening a week in a classroom for dayskipper, cost about 30 or 40 quid (adult education centres were heavily subsidised back then).
Enjoyed it so much I did the Yachtmaster theory the following term.

Never did a practical, I was lucky I had friends who had experience so they helped in the early days, it can be scary on your own the first few times, in fact I don't think I ever stopped being a little scared, at night or in fog, or just being out of sight of land and all you can see is sea, or getting caught in weather a lot rougher than forecast.

I am looking forward to it. I am thinking the practical will be good as the club at Brough takes you out on days away and anchors upon an evening. So you get to actually live on the boat for a few days, they also do chanel crossings for the Yacht masters.

 

[fillyboy]

I am looking forward to it. I am thinking the practical will be good as the club at Brough takes you out on days away and anchors upon an evening. So you get to actually live on the boat for a few days, they also do chanel crossings for the Yacht masters.

You'll love it.

 

[Highway Man]

Something I have always wanted to do, it seems even better than the freedom that my motor bike gives me.

 

[Highway Man]

You'll love it.

I can see myself in a couple of months, sailing single handed across the Atlantic in a bath tub. That's how adventurous I am.

 

[fillyboy]

I can see myself in a couple of months, sailing single handed across the Atlantic in a bath tub. That's how adventurous I am.

Don't forget to leave the plug in.

 

[Highway Man]

@Highway Man

How are you getting on with course to steer and estimating position?

Just done a free lesson with the RYA on that. OMG it is sort of confusing. dead reckoning, water track, Leeway, beam, my head is spinning, I sort of got it then a question was asked to plot a position given the leeway, my mind suddenly drew a blanc.

 

[Old Salt]

It will come, set of tide tables and a chart or two, plot some hypothetical courses etc. Quite easy once you’ve done a few and you can always plot out based on your etd long before you travel.

 

[Highway Man]

It will come, set of tide tables and a chart or two, plot some hypothetical courses etc. Quite easy once you’ve done a few and you can always plot out based on your etd long before you travel.

Yes they used a plotter and dividers, like you say, once you have done a few. I always thought that with gps etc nowadays that a chart and log would be a thing of the past. Apparently not..

 

[Lirefighter]

Yes they used a plotter and dividers, like you say, once you have done a few. I always thought that with gps etc nowadays that a chart and log would be a thing of the past. Apparently not..

Do you have to learn how to use a sextant for navigation?

 

[fillyboy]

Yes they used a plotter and dividers, like you say, once you have done a few. I always thought that with gps etc nowadays that a chart and log would be a thing of the past. Apparently not..

In reality, you'll have a chart plotter (like a tom tom) and you'll forget a lot of what you learned, at least I did. But a lot of the stuff involving tides and tidal heights at given times is incredibly useful and it's good to keep your hand in.

Do you have to learn how to use a sextant for navigation?

No, although the wife got me one for a birthday many years ago, it's never been off the bookshelf.

 

[Highway Man]

Do you have to learn how to use a sextant for navigation?

OMG I do hope not!!

 

[noseall]

In reality, you'll have a chart plotter (like a tom tom) and you'll forget a lot of what you learned, at least I did. But a lot of the stuff involving tides and tidal heights at given times is incredibly useful and it's good to keep your hand in.

Perhaps you could provide HWM an 'Important Sailing Stuff Check List' to save him posting sailing buzz words he's just Googled.