Taking the plunge

[memnoch]

Afternoon All,


Just a quick introduction from myself.



Getting into sailing has been something I've wanted to do for a long time and nearly managed it a few years ago. Spent a week doing my competent crew training in Pembrokeshire and absolutely loved it and then moved jobs and location and ended up having to put all my plans on the back burner.


5 years later after spending years reading this site enough changes in career have happened to make it possible again.



So I've cracked open the theory books and am working my way through the Day Skipper training and booked two weeks at Hamble School of Yachting to redo my Comp Crew and follow up with the Day Skipper training. Theory being if I still enjoy being on the Solent in February for two weeks then should be able to enjoy it warmer climes in the future.




Memnoch.

[Jim Cate]

G'day Memnoch, and welcome to CF. I must agree with your premise that if you can enjoy sailing in lousy wx then in good conditions it will be superb! That is sorta how I came into sailing... joined a newbie dinghy owner in a winter weekend sailing/camping trip... it rained, the wind stopped when we were in the middle of a large California lake, no motor, no paddles, the place we planned to camp didn't work out... it was awful! But when my ex and I got back home and had a hot buttered rum in hand we both said "that was the worst weekend ever, but the sailing was super" and the next weekend I went and bought a boat.

45 years later my new wife and I are still cruising full time. It's a great life!

So carry on, learn and enjoy, and post now and then to let us know how it is going.

Jim

[memnoch]

Morning,


Thanks Jim, I'm not stranger to bad weather thankfully and had some great experiences in bad situations. Was out hiking in Scotland when Storm Arwen blew through couple of weeks ago. Camping in 60mph winds and -4, woke up in the morning with the front of my tent crushed with a tree on top of it, slightly awkward getting out but had one of the nicest walks afterwards.


Always loved being near or on the water. Spent 10 years kayaking around a number of countries. Hoping that sailing will help fulfill both the itch to be near water and to do more exploring.


Spent lots of time dreaming of many different boats but no where near the point in pulling the trigger yet. Though will definitely be asking questions in the months (years) to come.

[bensolomon]

Memnoch,

Welcome to sailing. You'll find the Dayskipper course and theory will be a great experience, and will help on the water very much!

Ben

[boatman61]

Welcome to CF..
You might be surprised... when I was based out of Poole some of my best sailing was in January and February.. crisp sunny days and star filled nights with almost nothing else around.. but.. when it's crap its its miserable.
Have a grand time..

[Adelie]

Welcome.

I would suggest updating your profile with your general location and your boat make & model or “Looking” in the "Boat" category. This info shows up under your UserName in every post in the web view. Many questions are boat and/or location dependent and having these tidbits under your UserName saves answering those questions repeatedly. If you need help setting up your profile then click on this link: https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post3308797

I would happily help more if the link above is not enough.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Memnoch.

[memnoch]

Well first week complete. Comp crew course refresher completed with some good wind in the Solent, F6 to F8.



Though no going out today after violent storm force 11 alerts we got the boat tied down with every mooring line we could get out hands on and still a touch nervous.


Hopefully calms down a bit for Monday as would rather not start skipper training in that.


But was a great experience and brilliant instructor.

[letsgetsailing3]

Why February?

[memnoch]

I needed a break from work and like to make use of holidays by doing something interesting rather than sitting on a beach or lounging at home.


Secondly, it is also for me a verification that it is something I will actually enjoy and want to carry on with and if I enjoy it in wintery conditions in the UK I'll most definitely enjoy it when it's nicer out.



Happy to confirm, still loving it. Weather and all.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by memnoch

Well first week complete. Comp crew course refresher completed with some good wind in the Solent, F6 to F8.



Though no going out today after violent storm force 11 alerts we got the boat tied down with every mooring line we could get out hands on and still a touch nervous.


Hopefully calms down a bit for Monday as would rather not start skipper training in that.


But was a great experience and brilliant instructor.

Wot.???
Not out there practicing Heaving to and storm drouges..

[goboatingnow]

During a yachtmaster prep course , many many years ago now, I went out off Roches Point in Cork , in a F8-9 with a volunteer training crew ( of 12 crew on two boats 7 came out in one 50 footer )

Roche’s point tends to be famous for outfall and tidal rips.

We decided to practice some sailing techniques and RYA mob techniques

A most interesting day , proving that most of this stuff as taught and written is largely useless in real heavy weather.

Fall over in these conditions , your best mob techniques are to wave bye bye

[memnoch]

Second week completed and Day Skipper done :-) Got an extra day out on the Saturday too which was for the first time absolutely gorgeous weather. Sun shining, nice breeze and skipping along at 8 knots.


Now just need to get some miles in and put teaching into practice.

[JPA Cate]

Good on ya, memnoch, and thanks for updating your thread.

Ann

[Echo7Alpha]

Welcome