Learning to sail
Discussion
Always wanted to learn so I've booked the RYA 1 & 2 courses at my local club.
I'm a total beginner so have no idea what to wear and wondered if anyone here had any advice? Some websites recommend a drysuit others say wetsuit and some just say shorts and a fleece.
I'm leaning towards a decent sailing wetsuit but don't want to turn up with all the gear and look like an idiot!
I'm a total beginner so have no idea what to wear and wondered if anyone here had any advice? Some websites recommend a drysuit others say wetsuit and some just say shorts and a fleece.
I'm leaning towards a decent sailing wetsuit but don't want to turn up with all the gear and look like an idiot!
When I did my Part I&II a few years ago - the sailing club had multiple wetsuits that were loaned out - you might want to enquire if they do the same?
Otherwise its temperature dependent. Dry suit for winter sailing, full wetsuit for spring/autumn. At this time of year I'd go for a 1.5 or 2mm Shortie - cheap.
The thing you might want to purchase yourself is the life preserver/buoyancy aid. Try to get to a shop and get one that fits - the generic ones that the sailing club are likely to have will most also likely be bulky and potentially ill-fitting.
Otherwise its temperature dependent. Dry suit for winter sailing, full wetsuit for spring/autumn. At this time of year I'd go for a 1.5 or 2mm Shortie - cheap.
The thing you might want to purchase yourself is the life preserver/buoyancy aid. Try to get to a shop and get one that fits - the generic ones that the sailing club are likely to have will most also likely be bulky and potentially ill-fitting.
Edited by AnotherGuy on Thursday 9th July 14:06
You will at some point fall in and get wet, it's a given, and you win extra cool bonus points for doing it in the most spectacular way possible.
For that reason I'd suggest even in summer wearing at least a short wetsuit. Even on a hot summers day the water can be bloody freezing.
I generally sail year round in a wetsuit. In the winter I wear a long wetsuit with a spray top to try and keep warmer.
Once you're up and running and know what you want to sail then that can influence your choice of clothing, some boats are a lot wetter than others!
Enjoy, it's a great sport.
For that reason I'd suggest even in summer wearing at least a short wetsuit. Even on a hot summers day the water can be bloody freezing.
I generally sail year round in a wetsuit. In the winter I wear a long wetsuit with a spray top to try and keep warmer.
Once you're up and running and know what you want to sail then that can influence your choice of clothing, some boats are a lot wetter than others!
Enjoy, it's a great sport.
Congrats, its great fun. Hope you enjoy it. I think its one of the most rounded sports you can do. It ranges from pottering round creeks sitting in something that won't fall over right up to something like the americas cup foiling yachts doing 50mph. Certainly dinghy sailing can be as physical as you want to make it, and as mentally stimulating as you want to make it. If you start racing it not only taxes you physically, the more effort you put in the faster your boat will go but mentally as well, you have to read the wind and water to point the boat in the right direction to make it go even faster still compared to everyone else. Racing has been likened to 3d chess, and now you can even get boats that fly - does that add a 4th dimension?
As others have said if your course is over the summer you'd at least want a short wetsuit as the water can still be pretty chilly. The training clubs usually have loaner wetsuits but not sure how that works at the mo with covid. I think ours says the only thing you need to bring are shoes you dont mind getting wet.
As a beginner I think there may be quite a bit of sitting around so windchill can be a factor, especially if you've just done "capsize drill" so would recommend a spray top as well if they have them. As for buying kit if you can hold off until you know more what you want to do sailing wise it could save some money in the long run, for example you wouldn't necessarily want to really be wearing a drysuit sailing a laser or other physical single hander but you might if you were crewing in a double hander as you're usually the helmsmans spray blocker....
As someone who's done a bit I always look at the training boats and think wow if i was learning now i'm not sure i'd carry on, but think of them like a learner car/motorbike and stick with it, then you can move on to the more exciting stuff later.
As others have said if your course is over the summer you'd at least want a short wetsuit as the water can still be pretty chilly. The training clubs usually have loaner wetsuits but not sure how that works at the mo with covid. I think ours says the only thing you need to bring are shoes you dont mind getting wet.
As a beginner I think there may be quite a bit of sitting around so windchill can be a factor, especially if you've just done "capsize drill" so would recommend a spray top as well if they have them. As for buying kit if you can hold off until you know more what you want to do sailing wise it could save some money in the long run, for example you wouldn't necessarily want to really be wearing a drysuit sailing a laser or other physical single hander but you might if you were crewing in a double hander as you're usually the helmsmans spray blocker....
As someone who's done a bit I always look at the training boats and think wow if i was learning now i'm not sure i'd carry on, but think of them like a learner car/motorbike and stick with it, then you can move on to the more exciting stuff later.
Defo echo the buoyancy purchase. I capsized a Lazer Radial at reasonable speed in a choppy sea wearing a borrowed buoyancy aid which came off when I hit the water (quite fast). Basically the stitching gave out, leaving me in a choppy sea with an upside down boat and nothing to help me float. It was very scary and I haven't sailed since!! Unlikely to have this issue on a lake, but even so life saving stuff needs to be good and something you can rely on.
rustyuk said:
Always wanted to learn so I've booked the RYA 1 & 2 courses at my local club.
I'm a total beginner so have no idea what to wear and wondered if anyone here had any advice? Some websites recommend a drysuit others say wetsuit and some just say shorts and a fleece.
I'm leaning towards a decent sailing wetsuit but don't want to turn up with all the gear and look like an idiot!
You haven't said inland or offshore...I'm a total beginner so have no idea what to wear and wondered if anyone here had any advice? Some websites recommend a drysuit others say wetsuit and some just say shorts and a fleece.
I'm leaning towards a decent sailing wetsuit but don't want to turn up with all the gear and look like an idiot!
Inland, at this time of year, you don't need either. A change of clothes and a decent rain/spray jacket will suffice. You may want some sailing gloves if your hands are sensitive as wet rope can chafe...
Offshore is a bit different...In summer a wetsuit is proberly enough, but you will need a drysuit to be comfortable in anything other than summer conditions.
Personally, I'd do your course first and then decide...most clubs provide at least basic equipment (bouancy aid, etc) and will recommend what you need other than that.
Good luck and enjoy your course!
Ayahuasca said:
You will need:
Wetsuit
Sailing wetsuit boots / shoes
Buoyancy aid
Gloves -prevent rope burns
Hat
Sunglasses
Useful - spray top.
Noooooo. Inland in August? Shorts, t-shirt, spray top and buoyancy aid for a beginner. Wetsuit
Sailing wetsuit boots / shoes
Buoyancy aid
Gloves -prevent rope burns
Hat
Sunglasses
Useful - spray top.
I sailed national champs in not much more than the list above. For a beginner wondering what to spend the answer is as little as possible until you know if you enjoy it. Spending money on boots and gloves and full wetsuit is not worthwhile and someone somewhere will have one to borrow.
Condi said:
Ayahuasca said:
You will need:
Wetsuit
Sailing wetsuit boots / shoes
Buoyancy aid
Gloves -prevent rope burns
Hat
Sunglasses
Useful - spray top.
Noooooo. Inland in August? Shorts, t-shirt, spray top and buoyancy aid for a beginner. Wetsuit
Sailing wetsuit boots / shoes
Buoyancy aid
Gloves -prevent rope burns
Hat
Sunglasses
Useful - spray top.
I sailed national champs in not much more than the list above. For a beginner wondering what to spend the answer is as little as possible until you know if you enjoy it. Spending money on boots and gloves and full wetsuit is not worthwhile and someone somewhere will have one to borrow.
I'd agree if you're learning on something like a Wayfarer/2000 then shorts/t-shirt would be no problem.
Just be wary that the water will be bloody cold if you do go in during a capsize drill.
I've sailed lots of things in shorts/t-shirt before, it very much depends on the weather, type of boat and experience as to the likelihood of needing the wetsuit!
I'm not a fan of drysuits though. Even in winter I sweat and get drenched anyway. Nice thick wetsuit and just accept the loss of toe sensation is probably temporary.
Cyder said:
Depends on the boat and what you're doing doesn't it.
I'd agree if you're learning on something like a Wayfarer/2000 then shorts/t-shirt would be no problem.
Just be wary that the water will be bloody cold if you do go in during a capsize drill.
I've sailed lots of things in shorts/t-shirt before, it very much depends on the weather, type of boat and experience as to the likelihood of needing the wetsuit!
I'm not a fan of drysuits though. Even in winter I sweat and get drenched anyway. Nice thick wetsuit and just accept the loss of toe sensation is probably temporary.
I never liked wetsuits, never had, never will. Drysuit until about May or June, then straight into T shirt and hiking trousers, until October and back into drysuit again. Even going diving I hate wetsuits. I'd agree if you're learning on something like a Wayfarer/2000 then shorts/t-shirt would be no problem.
Just be wary that the water will be bloody cold if you do go in during a capsize drill.
I've sailed lots of things in shorts/t-shirt before, it very much depends on the weather, type of boat and experience as to the likelihood of needing the wetsuit!
I'm not a fan of drysuits though. Even in winter I sweat and get drenched anyway. Nice thick wetsuit and just accept the loss of toe sensation is probably temporary.
Good luck with your course! I followed a similar path, having watched a friend sail for 15 years and keep saying that I should have a go, I finally did my level 1 & 2 last summer, and am slowly managing to get out and improve. I had planned to go out with the kids, and they haven't managed to get their courses fully sorted yet - so I can't sail the boat that I first bought (a National 12) - even with my mate as crew due to social distancing. Because of that, I bought a cheap laser pico a couple of weeks ago - figuring I can take that out, but also the kids can use it as they progress too - so have finally got back on the water for the first time this year last week (and am planning on heading up tomorrow).
I also did my course at Carsington, and am now a member of the club, so can probably help on course details. Firstly, unless things change before your course, you will need to sort your kit, as currently no-one can use the club loan wetsuits or buoyancy aids. Also be aware that there is no access to the changing rooms at the clubhouse (you can get in to use the loo and that's it) - as a result, I have bought a cheap microfibre dry-robe to enable me to at least quickly change before getting into the car to head home. EDIT - to add that I bought some kit from Decathlon, initially a cheap shorty wetsuit, gloves and boots and they are fine - I have since supplemented with a full length wetsuit and buoyancy aid - but haven't spent a fortune!
The club at Carsington is good, and I was really pleased with the club instructors and their ability to adapt the course depending on what the weather was doing (we had a mix of very windy and very calm days!). I will keep an eye out if I am at the club while the course is on and would be happy to compare notes on learning to sail (and maybe cars too!).
Hopefully when I get a bit getter and the kids are sorted as crew, I am hoping to dip my toe into the water of a bit of racing - I think that's a whole other level of strategy and ability - for now I am working on getting plenty of practice in!
I also did my course at Carsington, and am now a member of the club, so can probably help on course details. Firstly, unless things change before your course, you will need to sort your kit, as currently no-one can use the club loan wetsuits or buoyancy aids. Also be aware that there is no access to the changing rooms at the clubhouse (you can get in to use the loo and that's it) - as a result, I have bought a cheap microfibre dry-robe to enable me to at least quickly change before getting into the car to head home. EDIT - to add that I bought some kit from Decathlon, initially a cheap shorty wetsuit, gloves and boots and they are fine - I have since supplemented with a full length wetsuit and buoyancy aid - but haven't spent a fortune!
The club at Carsington is good, and I was really pleased with the club instructors and their ability to adapt the course depending on what the weather was doing (we had a mix of very windy and very calm days!). I will keep an eye out if I am at the club while the course is on and would be happy to compare notes on learning to sail (and maybe cars too!).
Hopefully when I get a bit getter and the kids are sorted as crew, I am hoping to dip my toe into the water of a bit of racing - I think that's a whole other level of strategy and ability - for now I am working on getting plenty of practice in!
Edited by browno on Thursday 9th July 16:45
Many thanks for the reply. I've got a T6 so will hopefully get changed in the back.
Really looking forward to it, but know absolutely nothing about sailing so any hints or tips would be greatly received!
Only got be the Van at present so any car talk might be one sided 😁
Really looking forward to it, but know absolutely nothing about sailing so any hints or tips would be greatly received!
Only got be the Van at present so any car talk might be one sided 😁
Edited by rustyuk on Thursday 9th July 19:17
rustyuk said:
Many thanks for the reply. I've got a T6 so will hopefully get changed in the back.
Really looking forward to it, but know absolutely nothing about sailing so any hints or tips would be greatly received!
Only got be the Van at present so any car talk might be one sided ??
Once you get the hang of it, dinghy sailing is all about racing. It’s great fun. Really looking forward to it, but know absolutely nothing about sailing so any hints or tips would be greatly received!
Only got be the Van at present so any car talk might be one sided ??
Edited by rustyuk on Thursday 9th July 19:17
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