dinghy sailing, avoiding capsizing
Discussion
Booked on to RYA2 course later in the year. Would love to get a family boat, but I know that if I tipped them all in the water, the Mrs would not see the funny side and that would probably be the end of it. Can capsize reasonably be avoided? Have been looking at boats like Topper Omega and RS vision. Or perhaps something like a Stratos keel would be better. Would value your comments. Thanks.
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_ID=38...
Something like that looks nice. But as has been said above if you want a boat that will never capsize, don't get one with a big tall mast and sail.
Something like that looks nice. But as has been said above if you want a boat that will never capsize, don't get one with a big tall mast and sail.
wetny said:
but I know that if I tipped them all in the water, the Mrs would not see the funny side and that would probably be the end of it. Can capsize reasonably be avoided?
I know how you feel.I used to have a flying fifteen. Although an old design, that are really safe and good for nervous crew and children. They are still faster than many modern dinghies and in a good wind you can get them onto the plane. It has a fixed keel but can easily be towed behind a normal car. Originally designed by Uffer Fox as able to be put on a roofrack I would not recommend it!
Have you thought about a catamaran? Much cheaper and easier to store/transport than a keel boat. You would have to be trying hard to capsize one, although dodgy manoeuvres off the wind can push it over forwards, but again you would have to be pushing it.
An old (or new if they still make them) Hobie 18 Formula or 17 both came with wings to sit on/trapeze off so would be as comfortable, if not more so, than a rigid dinghy.
An old (or new if they still make them) Hobie 18 Formula or 17 both came with wings to sit on/trapeze off so would be as comfortable, if not more so, than a rigid dinghy.
I would like to put my word in for the Stratos Keel, my family have one to sail up on the north west coast of scotland where the weather is changeable and also any rescue could be a long time in coming. Even though myself and my father are very experienced dinghy sailors the comfort of having the keel brings to the rest of the family who come on board is great. Especially for my mum who is very inexperienced. It is a very easy boat to sail and can have an engine mount on the transom which is also a good insurance (depending on where you want to sail). Also with and experienced crew in a bit of a blow it can absoloutley fly and is good fun. With trapeeze wires it is also a good boat to learn to trapeeze on (unlike my first time in a Laser 3000 in 25 knots of breeze). Any specific questions feel free to ask.
Rory
Rory
Are you sure you and your family really want to do this ? If you are on a boat on the Sea a River a Lake there is always the possibility that you or someone on the boat are going to go overboard , you need to know what it is like and how you react so that when it happens without any warning you have some idea of what to expect.
Rower
Rower
Will have free use of club boats for a year after training, so I will have a better idea then. A lot of the larger dinghies can take an outboard, to someone like me with no experience, this seems a brilliant idea for getting into harbours etc, or to get you in if the wind drops, but this would seem to be a massive problem if you capsize.
IforB said:
Seriously, don't worry about capsizing. It's just part of sailing dinghies. It's actually a confidence building exercise for novice sailors. It's always the bug bear that people fear, but once they've done it a few times and learned to cope, the fear goes away to a great extent.
And can be kinda fun in the right conditions. The first time I capsized my old laser, and managed to get over the side onto the centerboard, rather than via the water felt like an achievement!
A pitchpole on a Hobie 16 was over in a flash, but was certainly exciting. A sod to right though! While they are stable, if they do go over they are a pain to right. I loved sailing these, they really shift, but I found a little more difficult to sail.
Better to learn what its like to go in the drink to start with, otherwise they won't enjoy it and just worry about getting wet!
My first lesson when I was a kid, one whistle, try to turn left, two whistle try to turn right, three whistle.....try to climb the mast.....
Guess what the point of the lesson was?
My first lesson when I was a kid, one whistle, try to turn left, two whistle try to turn right, three whistle.....try to climb the mast.....
Guess what the point of the lesson was?
dirkgently said:
If you sail a dingy you will capsize,practice until it holds no fear.(D.G. Fireball sailor)
exactly , this is why capsize recovery is part of level2 and by level 5 you should be able to right a wayfarer from inverted ... and 'tactical' capsize recovery is part of race training ...
s3dave said:
I know how you feel.
I used to have a flying fifteen. Although an old design, that are really safe and good for nervous crew and children. They are still faster than many modern dinghies and in a good wind you can get them onto the plane. It has a fixed keel but can easily be towed behind a normal car. Originally designed by Uffer Fox as able to be put on a roofrack I would not recommend it!
not had a chance to actually sail one of these beasties but according an ex world champion crew family friend they are superb bits of kit ...I used to have a flying fifteen. Although an old design, that are really safe and good for nervous crew and children. They are still faster than many modern dinghies and in a good wind you can get them onto the plane. It has a fixed keel but can easily be towed behind a normal car. Originally designed by Uffer Fox as able to be put on a roofrack I would not recommend it!
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