So I've just got my Level 2 RYA certification...

Tom Dunne

...and I'm hooked. I only took sailing up in September after a chance conversation at a wedding during the Summer. I have to say I am absolutely loving it.

Learned in a Laser Pico, but I have also done a few hours on a Hobie Cat (my first ever race - great fun).

I'm living abroad at the moment, but I was wondering if there were places around Dublin that I could maybe rent out the likes of a Laser Pico for a morning/afternoon during the Summer months? Would I be right in saying that even during the Summer months in Ireland a wetsuit would be advisable?

fergal.b

Hi Tom I'm not sure of any place thats rents out boats but could try these http://www.sdc.ie/ or if you want to become a member of a club I think Skerries SC have boats for new members to use http://www.skerriessailingclub.com/ so maybe some of the Dublin clubs will also off this. Best of luck.





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Stheno

Tom Dunne wrote: »

...and I'm hooked. I only took sailing up in September after a chance conversation at a wedding during the Summer. I have to say I am absolutely loving it.

Learned in a Laser Pico, but I have also done a few hours on a Hobie Cat (my first ever race - great fun).

I'm living abroad at the moment, but I was wondering if there were places around Dublin that I could maybe rent out the likes of a Laser Pico for a morning/afternoon during the Summer months? Would I be right in saying that even during the Summer months in Ireland a wetsuit would be advisable?

Another latecomer to the sport (mean in age Tom )

Those Hobies are fun boats

Anyway Fingal Sailing School in the Malahide Estuary might be what you're after, rental of Laser Picos for €25 per hour, but having done a course there, I suspect they will do a deal if you are planning more than one session, and the estuary is a lovely place to sail.

As regards the wetsuit, tbh it depends, there were a few days I went out dinghy sailing in shorts, and I'm a seriously cold person, it was during fairly warm weather though, but I've seen plenty of dinghy sailors out in shorts etc when I've been in a suit. Now thinking back, when I started dinghy sailing, I just wore a waterproof jacket, and light trousers and was fine tbh, that was in June this year, so don't be too fussed about the wetsuit.

HTH

If you want time on cats, there are very few clubs in Ireland, Swords Sailing and Boating Club have an active cat group (all Hurricane 5.9s) but you have to be a member to sail. Swords sailing club do a first years membership for €75 and it's €10 per session to rent a topaz/Laser Vago if you are two, or you can crew if someone is stuck. The €75 also includes the introduction to sailing course, so you'll get four three hour sessions doing a bit of theory and a fair bit of time on the water trying out different boats. They sail Wednesdays and Sundays racing in the summer, and do fun sailing on Friday nights in July/August, when taking out the likes of a topaz is free for new members.

And you could always look into bigger boats, they are always looking for crew

Tom Dunne

Stheno wrote: »

Another latecomer to the sport (mean in age Tom )

I know exactly what you mean. :pac:

Stheno wrote: »

Those Hobies are fun boats

They really are. I cannot get over the speed of them, especially out here in this neck of the woods where the sea is quite calm.

Stheno wrote: »

Anyway Fingal Sailing School in the Malahide Estuary might be what you're after, rental of Laser Picos for €25 per hour, but having done a course there, I suspect they will do a deal if you are planning more than one session, and the estuary is a lovely place to sail.

That's exactly what I was looking for - lovely stuff. Good to know this.

Stheno wrote: »

As regards the wetsuit, tbh it depends, there were a few days I went out dinghy sailing in shorts, and I'm a seriously cold person, it was during fairly warm weather though, but I've seen plenty of dinghy sailors out in shorts etc when I've been in a suit. Now thinking back, when I started dinghy sailing, I just wore a waterproof jacket, and light trousers and was fine tbh, that was in June this year, so don't be too fussed about the wetsuit.

I am working on the assumption that I will, on occasion, get thrown out of the boat. Still working in my gybe technique.

Stheno wrote: »

If you want time on cats, there are very few clubs in Ireland, Swords Sailing and Boating Club have an active cat group (all Hurricane 5.9s) but you have to be a member to sail. Swords sailing club do a first years membership for €75 and it's €10 per session to rent a topaz/Laser Vago if you are two, or you can crew if someone is stuck. The €75 also includes the introduction to sailing course, so you'll get four three hour sessions doing a bit of theory and a fair bit of time on the water trying out different boats. They sail Wednesdays and Sundays racing in the summer, and do fun sailing on Friday nights in July/August, when taking out the likes of a topaz is free for new members.

I'm probably not at the level where I would consider taking charge of a cat. I've only ever been on one with a very experienced person.

Stheno wrote: »

And you could always look into bigger boats, they are always looking for crew

That is something that would interest me.

PhoenixParker

The INSS do a pay as you sail that includes picos - http://www.insc.ie/Sailing_Schedule/Default.570.html

The costs seem to be:

- Regular pay as you sail club outing €37
- Voucher system of 8 regular club outings €208
(or you can join for three months to take more advantage)

Or the club - SailinginDublin.ie offer guest sails at E40 or annual membership at E350.
They have laser vagos (2 man dinghies), a sigma 33 and a ruffian.
Membership gives you almost unlimited sailing, but you may not be home frequently enough to justify that.

Wetsuits are generally advisable all year, but it depends on your own skill level and how stable your dinghy is.
I saw plenty of people dinghy sailing in board shorts this summer, but generally they weren't expecting to take a dip.
I used a shortie (to the knees and elbows) 3mm wetsuit from lidl myself. It did me just fine from June - September, but this summer was quite warm.

miss no stars

If you get into crewing for someone, make sure you're on a boat where they'll give you a chance (not during a race) to try different positions on the boat. For example, on the way in from a race if the kite is still up and there's still a bit of a trek in, ask if you can try trimming it. Crewing for racing boats can be a great way to learn the ropes provided you're on a boat where the others are willing to show you them, but it's important to develop your ability to do all the jobs on board and not just get really, really proficient at one position on that particular boat.

Boaty

Tom Dunne wrote: »

I am working on the assumption that I will, on occasion, get thrown out of the boat. Still working in my gybe technique.

Pull in the mainsheet just before you gybe ( so the boom doesn't have too far to travel), then let it out once you've gybed.

Conchir

As some others have said, whether or not to wear a wetsuit is really up to yourself, how much you feel the cold and what the weather is like on the day. I didn't wear a wetsuit once all summer sailing in Dublin, but this summer was exceptionally warm and dry, especially July. I never go out without a wetsuit and more in Winter, but you still see some people in shorts and a cag.


I would recommend considering getting one once you know that you're going to stick with it. It certainly doesn't hurt having the option to put it on, and realistically there will be days where you would almost have to wear one. If you're only planning on going out in the Summer months, then even a shorty wetsuit would be a good thing to have.