New to sailing - Questions?

HeidiHeidi · 24-06-2013 12:09am

Great to hear you're still enjoying it!

I never have a problem with my hands (thankfully!). I use full-finger gloves with just the thumb and index finger cut off - I found with the all-short-finger gloves, they rode up on my fingers and I got rope-burned a few times.

I suspect your hands will harden to it, but maybe you also do need thicker gloves.

And buy some good handcream

Tea 1000 · 25-06-2013 12:24pm

Stheno wrote: »

Someone suggested it might be that my hands not being used to physical effort need to harden up.

I'll bear with it for a few weeks and see if they get better

Otherwise it will be thicker gloves

Maybe head out to a farm and shovel some shíte for a week. Always hardens the crap outta my computer-softened hands!

(After 2 days of pain first though...)
It is hard to get decent gloves alright though.

the beer revolu · 25-06-2013 5:42pm

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Maybe head out to a farm and shovel some shíte for a week. Always hardens the crap outta my computer-softened hands! (After 2 days of pain first though...)
It is hard to get decent gloves alright though.

Or take up rowing for a while!

pedroeibar1 · 26-06-2013 9:23pm

Stheno wrote: »

So, an update.

......... my right hand in particular is in bits, despite using gloves, I regularly come in and have skinned fingers/calluses on my palm.

Any suggestions to help with this?

They will harden. However, whatever you do DO NOT GET BLOOD ON THE SAILS :eek: or you will not be invited back.

Stheno · 26-06-2013 11:57pm

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

They will harden. However, whatever you do DO NOT GET BLOOD ON THE SAILS :eek: or you will not be invited back.

No to rowing and shovelling crap on a farm, I'll give the hands a couple of weeks and see how I fare

What's this about blood on the sails? How can one do that wearing gloves?

fergal.b · 27-06-2013 12:38am

I think you have two options one keep your hands soft and supple using hand cream something like aloe vera works well and two toughen them up. don't let your calluses get too big, if you have to file them down with a nail file or pumice stone as the bigger they get the more movement they create when working them causing them to blister also use some moistening cream to stop your hands from drying out causing then to crack.

.

Stheno · 27-06-2013 12:49am

fergal.b wrote: »

I think you have two options one keep your hands soft and supple using hand cream something like aloe vera works well and two toughen them up. don't let your calluses get too big, if you have to file them down with a nail file or pumice stone as the bigger they get the more movement they create when working them causing them to blister also use some moistening cream to stop your hands from drying out causing then to crack.

.

I have cracks on one joint, and am using handcream, allergic to aloe believe it or not!

Those areas first affected are hardening up, and with handcream they are ok, so I suspect it's just hardening up, I do work in IT so have soft hands.

Still absolutely loving sailing, so much fun

Can't believe I put it off for so long!

the beer revolu · 27-06-2013 9:10am

I find Calendua cream very good for the blistered hands. Got mine in Holland & Barrett.
Also don't be shy with antiseptic if burst ones look or feel infected.

pedroeibar1 · 27-06-2013 5:31pm

Stheno wrote: »

What's this about blood on the sails? How can one do that wearing gloves?

A bloodstain is impossible to remove from a sail. Gloves get wet, blood leaks out.
When I was an active racer (Thursdays and Saturdays) in DL I had a lady crew who was absolutely fantastic on a spinnaker sheet, particularly in light airs. She always was aware of the slightest shift and could keep it filled when all around us had collapsed. Problem was she had soft skin & bled easily, so I confined her to the cockpit!
You could try using a cream inside a pair of surgical gloves inside a pair of sailing gloves – herself swears by that for her gardening.

Stheno · 28-06-2013 10:49pm

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

A bloodstain is impossible to remove from a sail. Gloves get wet, blood leaks out.
When I was an active racer (Thursdays and Saturdays) in DL I had a lady crew who was absolutely fantastic on a spinnaker sheet, particularly in light airs. She always was aware of the slightest shift and could keep it filled when all around us had collapsed. Problem was she had soft skin & bled easily, so I confined her to the cockpit!
You could try using a cream inside a pair of surgical gloves inside a pair of sailing gloves – herself swears by that for her gardening.

I think I have discovered the culprit cause of my poor hands.

One: Two much sailing, I've been out up to five/six times a week the past three weeks, twice for four hours plus.

Two: Dinghy sailing, which in times of terror leads me to cling to the shrouds and using shrouds on the cruiser to get about

My hands are getting better and hardened

Were I to consider an interest in offshore sailing in a few months, has anyone any advice on the best route to start? I'm hoping Steve sees this

pedroeibar1 · 28-06-2013 11:08pm

Offshore is a totally different ballgame to round the cans. Night-sailing for starters, tiredness, moving around/reefing/setting a spinnaker/changing headsails without light. Hunger. Wet. Cold. Seasickness after pounding into a big sea, tack on tack, sitting on the weather rail. Numb. The sight of the sun coming up and feeling its rays warm your back (yes, they do, particularly when you are that cold.) At sunrise the joys of seeing all (or even half!) the fleet behind you, or the wrench of seeing everyone ahead of you, with the gnawing realization that you should have called a tack on that last windshift. The pleasure of a hot shower, being dry and sheets.
Lots of people want crew that are good, useful, reliable and available. Priority for those who can steer a compass course, navigate, recognize lights ashore and afloat. Picking the right people and boat is most important. Ease into it. Don’t rush.

Stheno · 29-06-2013 11:20pm

I'll take it slow, but I'd love to do the fastnet in 2015 as a target

Had a fab day sailing today, hard work but good fun.

Can I ask a question about etiquette?

My skipper is not free the next few weeks, and I've gotten to know as in nod/smile at a few others, is it unseemly to ask if they are crew poor during this time?

pedroeibar1 · 01-07-2013 1:51pm

Stheno wrote: »

I'll take it slow, but I'd love to do the fastnet in 2015 as a target

Had a fab day sailing today, hard work but good fun.

Can I ask a question about etiquette?

My skipper is not free the next few weeks, and I've gotten to know as in nod/smile at a few others, is it unseemly to ask if they are crew poor during this time?

I’ve always been of the opinion that duty and loyalty are reciprocal between skipper/crew. A crew (unofficially) signs up for a season and expects to get fair treatment and good racing. A skipper should provide that and expects crew to be available and on time for racing. If your boat is ‘there’ and the skipper is away, the crew should at least be allowed sail crew’s races. (The skipper should be 'growing' talent and should encourage this.) If the boat is ‘going away’ for the skipper’s annual holiday, it is perfectly OK to crew for somebody else, indeed it is recommended, as it will broaden your experience and you will learn something new. Gently let your skipper know that you will be hoping to get a berth on other boats while he’s away and then tell other skippers in your class that as the boat you usually crew will not be racing for the next X weeks you would be available to crew for them if required.

There was a book published by Adlard Coles in the early 1970's on 'Crewing for Offshore racing' - will be dated by now, but it has some good stuff in it from memory.

Steve · 03-07-2013 11:00pm

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

Offshore is a totally different ballgame to round the cans. Night-sailing for starters, tiredness, moving around/reefing/setting a spinnaker/changing headsails without light. Hunger. Wet. Cold. Seasickness after pounding into a big sea, tack on tack, sitting on the weather rail. Numb. The sight of the sun coming up and feeling its rays warm your back (yes, they do, particularly when you are that cold.) At sunrise the joys of seeing all (or even half!) the fleet behind you, or the wrench of seeing everyone ahead of you, with the gnawing realization that you should have called a tack on that last windshift. The pleasure of a hot shower, being dry and sheets.
Lots of people want crew that are good, useful, reliable and available. Priority for those who can steer a compass course, navigate, recognize lights ashore and afloat. Picking the right people and boat is most important. Ease into it. Don’t rush.

Jeebs, that brings back memories, so true.

To add to the woes is the cost for a first timer - you'll need a full set of offshore wetgear and a proper lifejacket with crotch straps and a built in harness, your own lifeline, an inner layer or two, not to mention the lack of modesty to be able to poo into a bucket in front of your crewmates when the heads block up or the door only opens on a port tack (spent three days on a port tack once..)

pedroeibar1 · 03-07-2013 11:38pm

Steve wrote: »

Jeebs, that brings back memories, so true.

To add to the woes is the cost for a first timer - you'll need a full set of offshore wetgear and a proper lifejacket with crotch straps and a built in harness, your own lifeline, an inner layer or two, not to mention the lack of modesty to be able to poo into a bucket in front of your crewmates when the heads block up or the door only opens on a port tack (spent three days on a port tack once..)

I still have a set of Musto Offshores with my then boat's name embroidered on them. Thirty-odd years old now, thousands of sea-miles, used periodically, still waterproof in all but the really worst conditions but happy to say that they still fit me (well, sort of, if the zip up the bib is not used

) and are only slightly discoloured. I still have my safety harness, but it's the type that was outlawed following the '79 Fastnet, the one with the carabiner thingy that opened too easily.

As for privacy / heads, I had a near revolt once with a co-owner over that, the first thing I did on getting the boat was- without discussion - to dump the door to the heads and get Downers to make me up a flap with velcro on the sides - do you not realize how much those doors weigh?:eek:

neris · 05-07-2013 5:07pm

I think you said in your original post you are sailing in a white sails boat at the moment. If you want to go offshore at any stage you should try get on to a kite carrying boat next year. No one goes white sails offshore & theres a huge difference and new set of skills to learn to get a kite set up & flying.

I find offshore my body clogs up & doesn't let anything out till after 3 or 4 pints back on dry land. Q for the cubicles in wicklow before the round ireland is a good laugh.

Stheno · 05-07-2013 11:30pm

neris wrote: »

I think you said in your original post you are sailing in a white sails boat at the moment. If you want to go offshore at any stage you should try get on to a kite carrying boat next year. No one goes white sails offshore & theres a huge difference and new set of skills to learn to get a kite set up & flying.

I find offshore my body clogs up & doesn't let anything out till after 3 or 4 pints back on dry land. Q for the cubicles in wicklow before the round ireland is a good laugh.

I'm about to do the old level two, now called basic skills on a J80 and it includes kite skills, plus a very kind boards member has offered to teach me kite skills on their boat

I think for now I'm going to enjoy getting to grips with sailing, this week I was out and walking around the boat doing tasks and realised I wasn't always looking for something to hold onto, so I'm getting more confident

Still entralled with the sport

the beer revolu · 06-07-2013 3:54pm

J80s are a lot of fun.
Very fast but very simple to sail too.
You'll turn into a speed freak!

Stheno · 06-07-2013 10:00pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

J80s are a lot of fun.
Very fast but very simple to sail too.
You'll turn into a speed freak!

Heh heee that sounds good, I've been out on a 420 and 270 and loved the speed

I suspect J24s/80s might be the boat for me

Stheno · 11-07-2013 12:38am

Reading and replying to the crew available thread tonight, reminded me that I wanted to thank each and every contributor to this thread.

I was out sailing tonight for the first time in a week (hit my shin on a boom while capsizing, then quadrupled the pain hitting the same limb off the traveller on the cruiser) and enjoyed it so much.

Everyone here who has contributed to this thread, have given me so much information and encouragement, gotten me started, and hopefully hooked on a lifelong pleasure, and I'd like to thank you all for your generousity

You answered questions I may not otherwise have known the answer to and gave me plenty of advice and guidance.

No doubt I'll be back with more questions, but whatever about sail spree and how well it was publicised by HYC, the support and kindness on here is much appreciated, and has hopefully gained the sport of sailing a lifelong participant

Stheno · 12-07-2013 11:33pm

I have a stupid question, I've a hole in my wetsuit that I use for dinghy sailing, where can I get a patching kit? Would most chandlers have it?

fergal.b · 13-07-2013 7:07pm

Stheno wrote: »

I have a stupid question, I've a hole in my wetsuit that I use for dinghy sailing, where can I get a patching kit? Would most chandlers have it?

Try these http://www.drysuittailors.com/

theSHU · 17-07-2013 9:29pm

Anyone recommend a week-long sailing course to a complete beginner for a 27yo male??

HeidiHeidi · 17-07-2013 9:35pm

I first set foot on a boat with Glenans in Collanmore, I was in my early 30's (I think!)

http://www.glenans.asso.fr/en/practicing/sailing-training-courses/nautical-centres/nautical-centres-glenans-in-ireland.html

A week long dinghy course in Toppers and Lasers, you'll never be as knackered or have as much fun! Total immersion doesn't even begin to describe it!

They also have a beginners course in Baltimore, but it's on dayboats (small keelboats).

Although I'm absolutely the world's worst dinghy sailor, the dinghy courses (I went back a couple of years later and did the improver's course) have stood to me no end - I couldn't recommend highly enough doing a dinghy course even if you intend eventually to sail keelboats. You'll get a feel for the boat and the wind and the techniques that you'll never get from a heavier keelboat.

All the clubs in Dublin (and possibly elsewhere in the country, but I'm most familiar with Dun Laoghaire) do Adult Sailing Courses - but they tend to be a couple of evenings per week over a few weeks.

INSC (West Pier, DL www.insc.ie) also do all sorts of courses - they may well have a week-long one that would suit if residential is not what you're after.

Stheno · 05-08-2013 11:27pm

I now have a rip in my trousers, any recommendations for repair?

Are there (for want of a better word) puncture repair kits I can get? Or what do people do?

It's a small rip at the moment, but I don't fancy it getting worse, and it's on the knee!

Conchir · 06-08-2013 12:05am

You can get repair kits but most people I know just duct tape the hole inside and out. Depending on the size of the hole and the location this can sometimes work fine. Considering yours is on the knee you might need something more permanent.

miss no stars · 06-08-2013 12:11am

Stheno wrote: »

I now have a rip in my trousers, any recommendations for repair?

Are there (for want of a better word) puncture repair kits I can get? Or what do people do?

It's a small rip at the moment, but I don't fancy it getting worse, and it's on the knee!

Spinnaker tape for a strong and flexible repair to waterproof plastic types... Duck tape is okay as a stopgap but will probably get pulled off as the edges are so much higher than the fabric...

Dunno if it would work on the musto type though ..? I haven't ever gotten holes in those types, but I would be inclined to try the tape and maybe use a heated knife to seal the strands around the hole like you would to a rope that's just been cut.

Stheno · 15-05-2014 11:53pm

I'm slightly late, but today is a year and a day since I first started sailing.

today was the first day I raced in a boat that won it's class, it was an incredible feeling.

In the past year, I've sailed on catamarans, topaz's, laser vagos, 420s, GP 14s, squibs and several different cruisers.

In the summer season I now sail 4-5 times a week depending on weather/crew etc

For anyone reading this as a newbie, I've found it a very welcoming world, and have learned loads, and am astonished at the goodness of people in helping others learn in the sport.

I'm now thinking about next year, and have decided my next ambition is to buy a dinghy for myself and am exploring options, so am hoping I can once again prevail upon the good people who gave me such good advice in the past.

I weigh 66kgs, and am not particularly strong. I currently crew on a 34.7 as their (trainee) tactician, so no physical work required unless I'm in the right place at the right time, and crew on a GP14 (Plenty of physical work) and occasionally crew on cats (lots of physical work)

Ideally, I'd like to buy myself a one handed boat as I don't want to be bothered about needing crew, and would like to buy (I think) a laser.

Is a laser radial the boat to go for considering my weight/strength? What about a 4.7? I think I'm definintely too light for a full laser?

As always, thanks in advance

miss no stars · 16-05-2014 9:58am

Stheno wrote: »

I'm slightly late, but today is a year and a day since I first started sailing.

today was the first day I raced in a boat that won it's class, it was an incredible feeling.

In the past year, I've sailed on catamarans, topaz's, laser vagos, 420s, GP 14s, squibs and several different cruisers.

In the summer season I now sail 4-5 times a week depending on weather/crew etc

For anyone reading this as a newbie, I've found it a very welcoming world, and have learned loads, and am astonished at the goodness of people in helping others learn in the sport.

I'm now thinking about next year, and have decided my next ambition is to buy a dinghy for myself and am exploring options, so am hoping I can once again prevail upon the good people who gave me such good advice in the past.

I weigh 66kgs, and am not particularly strong. I currently crew on a 34.7 as their (trainee) tactician, so no physical work required unless I'm in the right place at the right time, and crew on a GP14 (Plenty of physical work) and occasionally crew on cats (lots of physical work)

Ideally, I'd like to buy myself a one handed boat as I don't want to be bothered about needing crew, and would like to buy (I think) a laser.

Is a laser radial the boat to go for considering my weight/strength? What about a 4.7? I think I'm definintely too light for a full laser?

As always, thanks in advance

You're an ideal weight for a radial. Go for it. And yes, you are most definitely too light for a full rig. They're for the big hulking men who can throw their 80kg weight out to windward in a gust. When Ben Ainslie won in a full rig he was 78kg and very, very fit and strong.

4.7s are kids boats. Sadly. At 55kg it'd be ideal for me

Stheno · 17-05-2014 12:04am

miss no stars wrote: »

You're an ideal weight for a radial. Go for it. And yes, you are most definitely too light for a full rig. They're for the big hulking men who can throw their 80kg weight out to windward in a gust. When Ben Ainslie won in a full rig he was 78kg and very, very fit and strong.

4.7s are kids boats. Sadly. At 55kg it'd be ideal for me

Right, going to talk nicely to some of my club members to see if I can get a trial on a radial

Tom Dunne · 17-05-2014 11:30am

Stheno wrote: »

I'm slightly late, but today is a year and a day since I first started sailing.

today was the first day I raced in a boat that won it's class, it was an incredible feeling.

In the past year, I've sailed on catamarans, topaz's, laser vagos, 420s, GP 14s, squibs and several different cruisers.

In the summer season I now sail 4-5 times a week depending on weather/crew etc

For anyone reading this as a newbie, I've found it a very welcoming world, and have learned loads, and am astonished at the goodness of people in helping others learn in the sport.

I'm now thinking about next year, and have decided my next ambition is to buy a dinghy for myself and am exploring options, so am hoping I can once again prevail upon the good people who gave me such good advice in the past.

I weigh 66kgs, and am not particularly strong. I currently crew on a 34.7 as their (trainee) tactician, so no physical work required unless I'm in the right place at the right time, and crew on a GP14 (Plenty of physical work) and occasionally crew on cats (lots of physical work)

Ideally, I'd like to buy myself a one handed boat as I don't want to be bothered about needing crew, and would like to buy (I think) a laser.

Is a laser radial the boat to go for considering my weight/strength? What about a 4.7? I think I'm definintely too light for a full laser?

As always, thanks in advance

I find myself smiling away at your post as I am in a very similar position.

I started sailing last September, I've only sailed in laser picos (where I learned the ropes, pun intended) and Hobie Cats, however I absolutely love it. I love the camaraderie, the exhilaration, being absolutely scared witless and getting totally outside of my comfort zone and getting back to land safely (usually). And the occasional encounter with dolphins only adds to the allure.

I live abroad so the sailing season is actually coming to an end soon (too hot), so now I too find myself contemplating purchasing a boat.

Stheno · 12-08-2016 11:00pm

I've posted a link to this in the Olympic thread in general sports, and thought it would be good to give an update.

Firstly I'm still sailing, moved from Howth to DunLaoighire in year two to a very competitive boat, did Cork week, every regatta going in Dun Laoighire, and then took a year off to complete a masters.

Got back in this year, joined Howth Yacht Club, and crew on a boat every Wednesday with the odd regatta.

I've graduated from the rail to the pit.

I also am learning to helm on another boat, with the expectation that next year that boat will be racing and I will be helm, planning on doing the yachtmaster over the winter.

I've also done one ISORA race and hoping to do more.

Cannot thank posters on here enough, without them I'm not sure I'd have continued sailing.

It's a superb sport to be involved in.

neris · 14-08-2016 7:30pm

Stheno wrote: »

.

It's a superb sport to be involved in.

buy a boat and you wont be saying that, have 2 and youll be cursing it

Boaty · 14-08-2016 8:37pm

Some people just have really bad luck when it comes to boats, saw a boat last week and the bow was 6 foot out of the water because the bow rail got caught on a metal beam that's on the pier.

Boaty · 14-08-2016 8:41pm

Suprised the rail didn't rip out.

HeidiHeidi · 14-08-2016 8:45pm

Boaty wrote: »

Some people just have really bad luck when it comes to boats, saw a boat last week and the bow was 6 foot out of the water because the bow rail got caught on a metal beam that's on the pier.

That's not bad luck, that's bad parking!

Stheno · 14-08-2016 8:51pm

OSI wrote: »

Did you ever get into the dinghies Stheno? Thinking I met get some dinghy training in over the autumn to get a better understanding of the fundamentals and feel for things.

Yeah first year I did time in dinghies and learned loads, prefer the bigger boats though, learning to helm the 28 footer I'm on is challenging

Boaty · 14-08-2016 9:05pm

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

That's not bad luck, that's bad parking!

Not at all, was most likely the wake of a boat going too fast inside the harbour.

HeidiHeidi · 14-08-2016 9:13pm

Boaty wrote: »

Not at all, was most likely the wake of a boat going too fast inside the harbour.

Mmmmm.

Maybe a small element of bad luck if that was the case.

But if your lines are tight and the boat is straight then the bow shouldn't get anywhere near the pier or anything on it.

Easy to say at this remove, without full knowledge of the circumstances, obviously!

pedroeibar1 · 14-08-2016 10:53pm

Stheno wrote: »

Yeah first year I did time in dinghies and learned loads, prefer the bigger boats though, learning to helm the 28 footer I'm on is challenging

'Dinghies' was the first thing that entered my mind when I saw your post on the other thread about your helming and noticing the effect of crew placement for boat performance. It comes very naturally to dinghy sailors, people tend to forget about it on bigger boats. Stuff like easing halyards and backstay when downwind on a heavy day is another. It's great to see how you've come so far so fast.

PS don't be afraid to shout at them to get across the cabin top faster when you tack!

Stheno · 14-08-2016 11:03pm

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

'Dinghies' was the first thing that entered my mind when I saw your post on the other thread about your helming and noticing the effect of crew placement for boat performance. It comes very naturally to dinghy sailors, people tend to forget about it on bigger boats. Stuff like easing halyards and backstay when downwind on a heavy day is another. It's great to see how you've come so far so fast.
PS don't be afraid to shout at them to get across the cabin top faster when you tack!

Ah I've not done that great to be honest, it's the people around me I have to give credit to. I've now helmed three times on that 28 footer, and twice it's just with two of us in total, only had "ballast" crew once.

We were out yesterday, and I really focussed on the telltales for the first time, and got on great, and as well I was dead chuffed that I set myself a mark as a target and was able to figure out exactly what we needed to do to get around it where I wanted, and that I hit the mark bang on, first time I helmed I was a disaster around the marks.

Like my friend whose boat I was on said, it's all about the hands on practice.

Yesterday I noticed not just that, but that I wasn't afraid to ask my fellow crew person to move about, and even at one point asked them to harden up on the sails. I'm very grateful to have them teaching me. I'm also half thinking of getting back into dinghy sailing to hone those skills tbh.

WHen I started sailing I found dinghies overwhelming, now I think I'd appreciate them more and be more comfortable. My first year sailing I literally did not know what to do in a dinghy, now I'd have a much better idea

pillphil · 14-08-2016 11:33pm

How much available time did you need to get into sailing as a beginner? Is it mainly a weekend thing?

My school used to bring us out in toppers years ago which was fun and I would love to do some proper sailing.

pedroeibar1 · 14-08-2016 11:37pm

Do not be too self-deprecating. I've sailed with people who despite sailing for years would never, ever helm in a race, even on a crews' race on a Tuesday night. It's always good to ask crew for an opinion (never their advice) but it always remains your call. (One is never comfortable in dinghies, - nasty, wet, fickle things!:)

Stheno · 14-08-2016 11:41pm

pillphil wrote: »

How much available time did you need to get into sailing as a beginner? Is it mainly a weekend thing?

My school used to bring us out in toppers years ago which was fun and I would love to do some proper sailing.

When I started I was lucky and sailed four days a week it depends on what you want to get out of it tbh

pedroeibar1 · 14-08-2016 11:43pm

pillphil wrote: »

How much available time did you need to get into sailing as a beginner? Is it mainly a weekend thing?

My school used to bring us out in toppers years ago which was fun and I would love to do some proper sailing.

It depends on where you are based - most summer evenings and weekends in Dun Laoghaire there are introductory courses underway. It's down to your available time and other time demands.

HeidiHeidi · 14-08-2016 11:44pm

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

Do not be too self-deprecating. I've sailed with people who have race on a Tuesday night. It's always good to ask crew for an opinion (never their advice) but it always remains your call. (One is never comfortable in dinghies, - nasty, wet, fickle things!:)

Oooh, dunno about this!

It always remains someone's call - but not necessarily the helm. I've been on boats where the helm considers his/her only job to be to sail the boat as fast as they can on whatever point of sail they're on. It's the crew's job to figure out tactics, lines to be taken, avoiding other boats etc etc - the helm just follows instructions and sails fast.

Now obviously you need a very tight crew, that you trust 100%, for that to work.

But there's many ways to skin a cat (or is it a pig?).

But I agree with you 110% about the dinghies

Stheno · 14-08-2016 11:56pm

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Oooh, dunno about this!

It always remains someone's call - but not necessarily the helm. I've been on boats where the helm considers his/her only job to be to sail the boat as fast as they can on whatever point of sail they're on. It's the crew's job to figure out tactics, lines to be taken, avoiding other boats etc etc - the helm just follows instructions and sails fast.

Now obviously you need a very tight crew, that you trust 100%, for that to work.

But there's many ways to skin a cat (or is it a pig?).

But I agree with you 110% about the dinghies

This is a good post, I was chatting to a 75 year old sailor recently who said that helms need to realise they are not tacticians, and as a newbie helm I rely on my one crew person a lot of the time to give me direction so I can focus on point of sail and speed.

Now as it's just the two of us at the moment it's very much a joint effort, and as I'm not very experienced he helps hugely, but it makes a big difference to chat about what we are going to do and be in the same mindset.

pillphil · 15-08-2016 12:02am

Stheno wrote: »

When I started I was lucky and sailed four days a week it depends on what you want to get out of it tbh

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

It depends on where you are based - most summer evenings and weekends in Dun Laoghaire there are introductory courses underway. It's down to your available time and other time demands.

My main concern would be if I joined a crew, would only being available on the weekends be an issue?

HeidiHeidi · 15-08-2016 12:05am

pillphil wrote: »

My main concern would be if I joined a crew, would only being available on the weekends be an issue?

As long as you turn up when you say you will, that's half the battle.

Some boats only sail weekends, some sail all racing days with different crews, some sail all racing days with the same crew. Depends on the boat.

But the most important thing for you as crew is that you are reliable!

Stheno · 15-08-2016 12:07am

pillphil wrote: »

My main concern would be if I joined a crew, would only being available on the weekends be an issue?

No, not at all.

The main crew I am on at the minute only sail mid week on a wednesday, then I'm on another crew that sail only for regattas.

Then I'm on the boat that I helm on that we practice for the future.

We sail out of malahide/howth *on the practice boat* so if you wanted to join us some day and are ok with a learner on the helm, I'm sure youd be welcome to joing us.

Also I know a fair few of the guys who race in Howth of a Saturday so would be happy to let them know you are looking to crew.

New to sailing - Questions?

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