What Beginner Solo Sailing Boat to Step into Sailing?

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Can anyone recommend a brand and size of sailing boat that is suitable for beginners and designed mostly for solo handling?

I have been looking at getting into sailing since I live near the coast and have lots of beaches and a port within 20 minutes drive.

The boat would be second-hand and include a trailer.

I like the idea of timber or wood as a material for the hull.

I found that the timber boats that are readily available on eBay, Gumtree and BoatSales were Hartley 16 footers. However, the advice I received from someone from a Hartley Sailing club is that the 16 footers were specifically designed for two-up sailing. Although, they can be rigged for solo sailing for very experienced sailors - which I am not. Maybe, I can encourage SWMBO to get interested in sailing too? Hmmm.

I have powerboat experience; however, none with sail-boats.

Any ideas folks?

Yes, I will be visiting the Bundaberg Sailing Club shortly.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Gordie]

I was like you, had experience in fizz boats, but not sailing. I did a lot of reading on sailing, then bought myself a paper tiger catamaran. And away I went, and wow, what fun that thing was. From that I soon moved up to a Duncanson 29, and I sailed that solo a lot, as the family lost interest. But that is a lead keel boat which has to be kept in a marina.

[Saitch]

Have to agree with Gordie here, Lionel. Paper Tigers are sooo much fun. Another option perhaps, is the 16' Corsair dinghy (Fibreglass).

Although it's rated as 3 crew, in my opinion they're quite easy to handle solo, a breeze with two and have the added factor of being able to take 4-5 people and a supplies Esky so, a day cruise is not out of the question. You would benefit by finding someone with Corsair experience to show you the ropes although any 'Stick & Rag' bloke worth their salt would guide you through OK.
That's another benefit of the POB factor as you could have a couple of knowledgeable instructors with you for training purposes.

A mate had one in Mt Isa and the two of us had no problems with it. In fact, we both learnt to sail in it and after a few 'Learning Curves', were always at the pointy end of any sailing comps on Moondarra. My mate would sail solo if I was unavailable and I would do the same if he was out.

A good multipurpose vessel, I reckon.

[JDNSW]

Some of my first sailing was in a TS16. They can be handled singlehanded, but you need to be strong and active. Probably a bit much boat for a beginner.

Interestingly, my first sailing was in a Fireball - definitely neither a beginner's boat nor a singlehanded one - we did a lot of swimming.

One that comes to mind is a Laser, but looking at wooden boats, a Mirror or a Heron are good, and if you are fairly small consider a sabot, even though it is designed for kids.

Edit: Oops - I repeated Fireball instead of writing Laser!

[Toxic_Avenger]

Best advice is to attend a club, see what they sail, tag along for a few races or social sailing events, and go from there.

If you are in a club and sailing in a class where there are others, the social side of it will be so much better- you will be racing on an even playing field without handicaps having to be calculated. Plus having others around you in the same boat will be great for learning.
My partner in crime sailed sabots as a young lass, and we sailed a NS14 together for a while in comps. Other boats included a hobie, a laser, and some other loan boats from the club.

[Lionelgee]

Best advice is to attend a club, see what they sail, tag along for a few races or social sailing events, and go from there.

If you are in a club and sailing in a class where there are others, the social side of it will be so much better- you will be racing on an even playing field without handicaps having to be calculated. Plus having others around you in the same boat will be great for learning.
My partner in crime sailed sabots as a young lass, and we sailed a NS14 together for a while in comps. Other boats included a hobie, a laser, and some other loan boats from the club.


Hello Toxic,

Funny you should mention a class. The lessons start on the 24th of October at my local sailing club.

Kind regards
Lionel

[350RRC]

A Laser (or Lazer?) .

Simple, quick to rig and fun.

DL

[Toxic_Avenger]

Most of the clubs I've been to tend to stick to the one class of boat (akin to a make/model).
A training / learn to sail class is also a good idea.

[4bee]

Lionel, I believe the Australian Vee-Jay was an excellent beginners boat.

https://vauclusejunior.wordpress.com/

I sailed with my late uncle on Lake Natimuk years ago he seemed to handle her single handed okay although the images on this website appear to have two in.

There was also one brought out by an English Newspaper which was designed to get people back to sailing Post WW2

Can't recall it's name now. Something like Dee-Ee( Daily Express) but it wasn't that, but a similar name.



A Mirror that was it. Thanks John the olde brain just needed a small tickle.






(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_(dinghy))

[350RRC]

Lionel, I believe the Australian Vee-Jay was an excellent beginners boat.

https://vauclusejunior.wordpress.com/

I sailed with my late uncle on Lake Natimuk years ago he seemed to handle her single handed okay although the images on this website appear to have two in.

There was also one brought out by an English Newspaper which was designed to get people back to sailing Post WW2

Can't recall it's name now.
(https://vauclusejunior.wordpress.com/)

Lap strake or carvel hull? [bigrolf][bigrolf][thumbsupbig]

DL

[4bee]

Lap strake or carvel hull? [bigrolf][bigrolf][thumbsupbig]

DL


Varnished Marine Ply.

[4bee]

Mirror (dinghy) - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_(dinghy))

[NavyDiver]

Hello All,

Can anyone recommend a brand and size of sailing boat that is suitable for beginners and designed mostly for solo handling?

I have been looking at getting into sailing since I live near the coast and have lots of beaches and a port within 20 minutes drive.

The boat would be second-hand and include a trailer.

I like the idea of timber or wood as a material for the hull.

I found that the timber boats that are readily available on eBay, Gumtree and BoatSales were Hartley 16 footers. However, the advice I received from someone from a Hartley Sailing club is that the 16 footers were specifically designed for two-up sailing. Although, they can be rigged for solo sailing for very experienced sailors - which I am not. Maybe, I can encourage SWMBO to get interested in sailing too? Hmmm.

I have powerboat experience; however, none with sail-boats.

Any ideas folks?

Yes, I will be visiting the Bundaberg Sailing Club shortly.

Kind regards
Lionel

Loved sailing Lionel. Mostly in two up taser class races. I did play in a solo Laser class yacht. A new (Old) Canoe found its way to my place for fun now.
Link below has some info but its all fast and racing stuff really. I think if I was going in a small boat I might find a caterman much more forgiving now. Not to hard to handle solo at all as you can skip the jib. Oddly bigger yatchs are easier solo as you have time to move usually. Two sails and a tiller can be tricky when tacking. [biggrin]

Home (https://www.solosailing.org.uk/)

[Toxic_Avenger]

Oddly bigger yatchs are easier solo as you have time to move usually. Two sails and a tiller can be tricky when tacking. [biggrin]

I can't remember the technical term, but some of the bigger boats like you said things happen a bit slower, and their hull design and weighted keels mean that if you mess up, it points itself upwind and you go nowhere.
With some of the smaller dinghies, you make a wrong move and it throws you into the water, tangles out up with rigging, cracks you over the skull with the boom, or a heap of other fun stuff.

If I were back on the coast and in the market, I'd consider a catamaran. Can be had cheap, comfy to sail on casual terms, can be tricked out with a trapeze if you want to swing off the side of the boat for some sick moves to impress the ladies, likewise heaps of room for an esky, fishing gear etc if needed.

[NavyDiver]

I can't remember the technical term, but some of the bigger boats like you said things happen a bit slower, and their hull design and weighted keels mean that if you mess up, it points itself upwind and you go nowhere.
With some of the smaller dinghies, you make a wrong move and it throws you into the water, tangles out up with rigging, cracks you over the skull with the boom, or a heap of other fun stuff.

If I were back on the coast and in the market, I'd consider a catamaran. Can be had cheap, comfy to sail on casual terms, can be tricked out with a trapeze if you want to swing off the side of the boat for some sick moves to impress the ladies, likewise heaps of room for an esky, fishing gear etc if needed.

One the money. Larger yachts have semi or full auto helm. Let go of the tiller in a small yacht and it turns immediately. Even a simple rope to hold the tiller at an angle is difficult in a little one as they need almost constant adjustment and turn very quickly which is not the case with larger boats. Tracking straight is one of the keys to sailing fast. Little boats are soooo much fun as they go like the clappers relative to there size[thumbsupbig]

[4bee]

Mirror (dinghy) - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_(dinghy))

For a great read & written by a one time Aussie bloke who sailed & (& rowed), a Mirror from Gloucestershire to the Black Sea via The Canals, River Thames & the English Channel (not the one Wiki said," from Liverpool") you should read his account of that journey for a bit of know how & laughs. I think Wiki got it ballsed up.

https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/the-unlikely-voyage-of-jack-de-crow-20080906-gdstuh.html

Most illuminating, adventurous & humorous.



Sandy McKinnon was invited here for Dinner post Book Release in Adelaide & is a most entertaining bloke.

Well after a couple of bottles of Red & sitting in front a roaring log fire who wouldn't be.?[bigrolf] (https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/the-unlikely-voyage-of-jack-de-crow-20080906-gdstuh.html)

[JDNSW]

Got the book. Somewhere!

[4bee]

Got the book. Somewhere!


I did as well John, until some thieving hound borrowed it, never returned it & buggered off OS. Maybe they thought they would emulate his Voyage?

The olde saying "To lend a book is to lose a friend" holds true, but never quite worked that out, as the friend could be a friend or it could be the book. At the end of the day, it is both I reckon.


As it happened, I was initially put in touch with "Sandy" (A.J. Mc Kinnon) because he was involved with a S2A (?) Land Rover Fire Appliance stored at his school's Outdoor School in the Victorian Hills somewhere. He was tied up with Geelong Grammar as an Arts Teacher at the time but not sure now it may have been another school but it was a well known one. If I had the book it probably would have told me.[bigsad]


Edited. Still at Geelong Grammar teaching ARTS & SAILING. (Last heard.)

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

What type of wetsuit: full, or half length and what type of life jacket is best for sailing - most probably a catamaran? I am in Bundaberg - which can get a tad cool sometimes. A couple of YouTube clips I have watched show people with helmets on. Are these just cyclist helmets?

Learn to Sail Lessons start on Saturday and I would like to know what kit is needed if I am to make a go of it?

I remember some people had little wind speed devices on their catamarans at Wivenhoe Dam when I visited there frequently in the 1980s. What other gadgetry would come in handy?

Kind regards
Lionel

[Arapiles]

I sailed with my late uncle on Lake Natimuk years ago (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_(dinghy)).


Not much sailing there now ....


165578

[4bee]

Not much sailing there now ....


165578

Yeah, I had heard that. When the drought was on a few years back apparently the Lake in Ballarat dried up to the extent there was only water in one small section.


Both the above Lakes I believe are quite shallow at the best of times.


I guess today one could fit pneumatic tyres to one's VJ Land Yacht.:Thump::Rolling:

[Arapiles]

Yeah, I had heard that. When the drought was on a few years back apparently the Lake in Ballarat dried up to the extent there was only water in one small section.
Both the above Lakes I believe are quite shallow at the best of times. I guess today one could fit pneumatic tyres to one's VJ Land Yacht.:Thump::Rolling:

Yep, everything dried up - Lake Wendouree, Lake Burrumbeet, Green Lake ..... Natimuk Lake had a sandy beach and when I was a kid we used to go there in the evenings. The water was deep enough to jump off the jetty.

[NavyDiver]

Yep, everything dried up - Lake Wendouree, Lake Burrumbeet, Green Lake ..... Natimuk Lake had a sandy beach and when I was a kid we used to go there in the evenings. The water was deep enough to jump off the jetty.

Had a dip our two in all of those places. Rowing on Lake Wendouree while at school was great EXCEPT when it was below or close to Zero.

Did you try the Olympic diving platform at Creswick? Mia Culpa- I only dove of the top once or twice. My shorts did not follow me fast enough the first time[bigwhistle][bigwhistle][bigwhistle] I think I was the only one silly enough to do it.[biggrin] Jumping of had its pain if you mucked it up. My kids tried it from the lower level last year. Jumping- Proud dad just watched on my crutches

[Arapiles]

Had a dip our two in all of those places. Rowing on Lake Wendouree while at school was great EXCEPT when it was below or close to Zero.

Did you try the Olympic diving platform at Creswick? Mia Culpa- I only dove of the top once or twice. My shorts did not follow me fast enough the first time[bigwhistle][bigwhistle][bigwhistle] I think I was the only one silly enough to do it.[biggrin] Jumping of had its pain if you mucked it up. My kids tried it from the lower level last year. Jumping- Proud dad just watched on my crutches


Worse, I used to do swimming squad in the Eureka pool - coldest water I’ve ever been in and I went for a swim in the Bay yesterday. Don’t know the pool at Creswick but a classmate jumped off the tower at Daylesford and I don’t think that he checked how deep the water was first ....

Edit: The Bay was 14C yesterday.

[4bee]

Yep, everything dried up - Lake Wendouree, Lake Burrumbeet, Green Lake ..... Natimuk Lake had a sandy beach and when I was a kid we used to go there in the evenings. The water was deep enough to jump off the jetty.


You probably don't have a Crystal Ball but in your opinion do you think they will ever recover & more to the point I suppose, is what has changed in that part of Vic to have caused this.... Dams,extra storage & uses?

I would assume Wendouree still fills ok?

[Arapiles]

You probably don't have a Crystal Ball but in your opinion do you think they will ever recover & more to the point I suppose, is what has changed in that part of Vic to have caused this.... Dams,extra storage & uses?

I would assume Wendouree still fills ok?

I don’t know why, but the water in the Wimmera has gone, and it’s a good question why. It may be that they simply hold water back in the reservoirs in the Grampians rather than keep the recreational lakes full - they did fill Green Lake a year or two ago because of complaints. The thing is that because of the temperatures and the shallowness of the lakes the evaporation must be very high and they may just think that it’s a waste of water. When they installed the water pipelines the argument was that there’d be more water overall, but the opposite seems to be the case.

Edit: found this:

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/climate-guides/guides/040-Wimmera-VIC-Climate-Guide.pdf

9% drop in rainfall in 30 years. More extreme heat. Less rain in growing season.


I think that Wendouree was probably filled artificially - it was originally a swamp - but Ballarat did always have good rainfall in any case. It froze over one year that I was at school there.

[4bee]

I don’t know why, but the water in the Wimmera has gone, and it’s a good question why. It may be that they simply hold water back in the reservoirs in the Grampians rather than keep the recreational lakes full - they did fill Green Lake a year or two ago because of complaints. The thing is that because of the temperatures and the shallowness of the lakes the evaporation must be very high and they may just think that it’s a waste of water. When they installed the water pipelines the argument was that there’d be more water overall, but the opposite seems to be the case.

Edit: found this:

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/climate-guides/guides/040-Wimmera-VIC-Climate-Guide.pdf

9% drop in rainfall in 30 years. More extreme heat. Less rain in growing season.


I think that Wendouree was probably filled artificially - it was originally a swamp - but Ballarat did always have good rainfall in any case. It froze over one year that I was at school there.


Thank you. From my meagre knowledge of that area it seemed at one time there was a Lake for each resident, well. on a map there was.


I don't know how Mount Gambier & the Blue Lake are going, it being their main Water Supply. From your comments even that should be way down.

[4bee]

Had a dip our two in all of those places. Rowing on Lake Wendouree while at school was great EXCEPT when it was below or close to Zero.

Did you try the Olympic diving platform at Creswick? Mia Culpa- I only dove of the top once or twice. My shorts did not follow me fast enough the first time[bigwhistle][bigwhistle][bigwhistle] I think I was the only one silly enough to do it.[biggrin] Jumping of had its pain if you mucked it up. My kids tried it from the lower level last year. Jumping- Proud dad just watched on my crutches



Proud dad just watched on my crutches

Kids pointed & said to their mates. "That is what happens when you ignore advice & go off from the top of the tower. Bloody 'rents they never listen."[bigrolf]

[Gordie]

Hello All,

What type of wetsuit: full, or half length and what type of life jacket is best for sailing - most probably a catamaran? I am in Bundaberg - which can get a tad cool sometimes. A couple of YouTube clips I have watched show people with helmets on. Are these just cyclist helmets?

Learn to Sail Lessons start on Saturday and I would like to know what kit is needed if I am to make a go of it?

I remember some people had little wind speed devices on their catamarans at Wivenhoe Dam when I visited there frequently in the 1980s. What other gadgetry would come in handy?

Kind regards
Lionel
I never bothered with a wet suit, but usually only sailed in warm weather. You can get quite cheap 'steamer suits' I think they call them, they are short sleeve and short leg, thinner wetsuit material, bit like what a surfer or such like might wear. Life jacket, I wore the ones that go on like a jacket and zip up at the front. They are quite good for 'working' in, and add warmth as well. Not sure re helmets never wore one, just learned to duck when tacking!

You don't need any gadgets, unless you fancy them. Good ol basic tell tales on the sail and a wind direction indicator on the top of the mast, and you could sail around the world. My first cat didn't even have the wind direction indicator, you soon get a feel for where the wind is.

I would imagine they would cover all this off in your learn to sail lessons, probably tell you what you need to bring and what they will supply??

[4bee]

I never bothered with a wet suit, but usually only sailed in warm weather. You can get quite cheap 'steamer suits' I think they call them, they are short sleeve and short leg, thinner wetsuit material, bit like what a surfer or such like might wear. Life jacket, I wore the ones that go on like a jacket and zip up at the front. They are quite good for 'working' in, and add warmth as well. Not sure re helmets never wore one, just learned to duck when tacking!

You don't need any gadgets, unless you fancy them. Good ol basic tell tales on the sail and a wind direction indicator on the top of the mast, and you could sail around the world. My first cat didn't even have the wind direction indicator, you soon get a feel for where the wind is.

I would imagine they would cover all this off in your learn to sail lessons, probably tell you what you need to bring and what they will supply??




Not sure re helmets never wore one, just learned to duck when tacking!




When you hear someone[bigrolf] yell "Ready About" duck like ****ery.

[Gordie]

When you hear someone[bigrolf] yell "Ready About" duck like ****ery.you only have to get slapped once, before you pick up a very keen 6th sense on it! Just the accidental jibe to scare the duck out of you.

[NavyDiver]

Hello All,

What type of wetsuit: full, or half length and what type of life jacket is best for sailing - most probably a catamaran? I am in Bundaberg - which can get a tad cool sometimes. A couple of YouTube clips I have watched show people with helmets on. Are these just cyclist helmets?

Learn to Sail Lessons start on Saturday and I would like to know what kit is needed if I am to make a go of it?

I remember some people had little wind speed devices on their catamarans at Wivenhoe Dam when I visited there frequently in the 1980s. What other gadgetry would come in handy?

Kind regards
Lionel

I a wetsuite man plus in Vic. I always wore one in QLD as well. Only place I wished i wasn't in a wet suit was Singapore and Thailand.

Triathlon style wetsuits are light and buoyant. Usually cheap second hand as well :) Full length means no sun screen I think helpful and worth while myself. A surfers steamer style would work as well.

Re wind speed devices. Lick your thumb [thumbsupbig] You can tell it very quickly by the speed of your boat.

The sails have thread to show you air flow which allows you to set them to optimal speed. Hit the sailing school and you get heaps of time to chat while in a boat. Local knowledge is better than remote waffle Helmets are usually for racing and white water fun. [B]Learning to duck is very important mind you - Enjoy mate

[Saitch]

Also, be aware of 'Pitch poling' with a cat, especially if you fly through the air and come down straddling the mast. Most unpleasant, with water being a difficult medium to deal with, when your 'nads are up near your tonsils! It's something I can, unfortunately attest to! [bawl][bigsad][bigsad]

[4bee]

Also, be aware of 'Pitch poling' with a cat, especially if you fly through the air and come down straddling the mast. Most unpleasant, with water being a difficult medium to deal with, when your 'nads are up near your tonsils! It's something I can, unfortunately attest to! [bawl][bigsad][bigsad]


That would ave been spoken with a very squeaky voice I suspect? [bigrolf]

[Arapiles]

Thank you. From my meagre knowledge of that area it seemed at one time there was a Lake for each resident, well. on a map there was.

Unfortunately they're salt flats most of the time.

Would've been impressive though about 10,000 years ago ....

[4bee]

Unfortunately they're salt flats most of the time.

Would've been impressive though about 10,000 years ago ....



Yes, but contrary to common belief I wasn't kicking around back then to confirm that. Maps don't necessarily indicate salt. Maybe one day we might see it back to where it was, but I doubt in my time.
[bigsad]

[4bee]

Yes, but contrary to common belief I wasn't kicking around back then to confirm that. Maps don't necessarily indicate salt. Maybe one day we might see it back to where it was, but I doubt in my time.
[bigsad]

Edit:
Just had another shufti at some of the Lakes. Lakes Bolac & Bellfield appear to be doing quite nicely at the mo. & websites for others show positive with plenty of water.

Lake Colac also looks good. 2778 ha. Circum. 33km Average Depth 2.5m

[Arapiles]

Edit:
Just had another shufti at some of the Lakes. Lakes Bolac & Bellfield appear to be doing quite nicely at the mo. & websites for others show positive with plenty of water.

Lake Colac also looks good. 2778 ha. Circum. 33km Average Depth 2.5m


I was referring to the area west of Horsham, around Natimuk Lake - there's a chain of salt lakes there.

[4bee]

I was referring to the area west of Horsham, around Natimuk Lake - there's a chain of salt lakes there.


OK, I thought we were talking the Missing Wimera Water.

[Arapiles]

OK, I thought we were talking the Missing Wimera Water.


Hmmm .... neither Lake Bolac nor Lake Colac are in the Wimmera - they're in the Western District which has significantly higher rainfall. Lake Colac is down near the Otways ....

[4bee]

Thanks. Best I retrieve my Geography Book.[bighmmm]

[Toxic_Avenger]

Zhik make a nice life jacket.
Learn to sail before going the whole hog on gadgets etc. Get the basics and fundamentals dialled in first- you'll be glad you did. We used to use a cockatoo's feather on the top of the mast, skewered over a bit of thin wire... does exactly the same as a expensive wind vane.

[JDNSW]

And a few inches of wool tied to the shrouds equally as well, even cheaper, and easier to see from the tiller!

[4bee]

Zhik make a nice life jacket.
Learn to sail before going the whole hog on gadgets etc. Get the basics and fundamentals dialled in first- you'll be glad you did. We used to use a cockatoo's feather on the top of the mast, skewered over a bit of thin wire... does exactly the same as a expensive wind vane.


Yep, you may even discover one gets sea sick & never wish to go on the briny ever again.[bigsad]

[Lionelgee]

Yep, you may even discover one gets sea sick & never wish to go on the briny ever again.[bigsad]

Hello 4bee and all,

I just got off the pointy end of a Pacer. According to the Bureau of Meteorology the wind speed was 16 knots. I got creased by the boom skipping over my left ear while I was under instructions - operating the jib. Being in the bow I wore the chop.

I loved every minute of it.

Now I have to wait for the next fortnightly lesson to come around. I was told that this is the fourth session of this round of the Learn to Sail lessons. This means I am a bit behind everyone else. I have been given homework to do. Also, I have been directed towards YouTube. Anyone recommend any particular "Learn to Sail" clips to watch?

Kind regards
Lionel

[Gordie]

I learnt all mine from books, library usually has a good selection. One I bought was KISS guide to sailing.

And just to boost your confidence, I went from reading books about it, to giving it a go in a small cat. To buying my 29ft Keeler, and then shortly after that, skippering a 40ft yacht on a delivery from Botany Bay to Gold Coast....within a space of 2yrs or so.....so one can pick things up quite quickly!

[4bee]

I learnt all mine from books, library usually has a good selection. One I bought was KISS guide to sailing.

And just to boost your confidence, I went from reading books about it, to giving it a go in a small cat. To buying my 29ft Keeler, and then shortly after that, skippering a 40ft yacht on a delivery from Botany Bay to Gold Coast....within a space of 2yrs or so.....so one can pick things up quite quickly!



.so one can pick things up quite quickly!








Including how to pick oneself up after getting creased by the boom apparently.[bigrolf]

[Gordie]

Including how to pick oneself up after getting creased by the boom apparently.[bigrolf]Keep calm...and sail on.

[Arapiles]

I was actually planning on doing an adult dinghy course at Sandringham Yacht Club - hopefully will be allowed in the New Year if our Covid numbers keep dropping.

[Lionelgee]

Including how to pick oneself up after getting creased by the boom apparently.[bigrolf]

I did duck down when we jibbed. Just not enough - that soon became very apparent. Yes, we did jibe and tack multiple times. I only let one through.

Regards
Lionel

[4bee]

I did duck down when we jibbed. Just not enough - that soon became very apparent. Yes, we did jibe and tack multiple times. I only let one through.

Regards
Lionel

Between one's knees is probably a safe level.

Glad you are enjoying it so far, I did, but that was in a different type ie. 16' clinker built cutter. Bem Rigged. with a fair bit of sail aloft. We only flattened it once due to a very badly executed Gybe & that was just prior to West Beach Airport being opened, but there was a Turning Nav. beacon at the new Airport where the Commercial A/C turned for Parafield & a

DC4 spotted us & contacted the Water Cops & the old Police Launch "Archie Badenoch" retrieved us. Well some of us, but they helped us get upright again & two of us then had to sail her back to shore.
This was a few miles out in St Vincent Gulf & in the Glenelg/West Beach area..



Happy Days.[bigrolf]

[Gordie]

Police Launch "Archie Badenoch" That is some years ago!

[Lionelgee]

Hello 4bee,

I noticed your spelling... hmmm...off for a quick online search...

I came across an article by Tom Lochhaas Accessed 24th October 2020 from Techniques for Tacking and Gybing (Jibing) a Sailboat (https://www.liveabout.com/tacking-and-gybing-small-boat-2915553)

Tacking and gybing involves turning the boat across the wind. Tacking turns into the wind and across. Gybing (jibing) turns away from the wind and across.

Is this the proper English term or a US version? The search revealed a smattering of both "Jibing" and "Gybing".

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Between one's knees is probably a safe level.

16' clinker built cutter. Bem Rigged. with a fair bit of sail aloft. Happy Days.[bigrolf]

I drew a blank on trying to find out what "Bem Rigged" was during an online search. Can you please describe it?

I wonder what part of the learning curve I am on....

Perhaps the very steep part!


Kind regards
Lionel

[4bee]

I drew a blank on trying to find out what "Bem Rigged" was during an online search. Can you please describe it?

I wonder what part of the learning curve I am on....

Perhaps the very steep part!


Kind regards
Lionel



Bermuda or Marconi Rigged ( Apologies Lionel, Bem is my name for it) Not Gaff Rigged for instance. Bermuda rig - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermuda_rig)

[4bee]

That is some years ago!



[bigsad] Tell me about it Gordie.:rolleyes:

From memory Archie was an ex WW2 RAN launch.

He served SA for many years in various duties & usually sailed up & Down the coast close inshore. Apparently now owned & operated by the SA Mariime Museum

http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/11/23/3639198.htm


[/QUOTE]hen I knew him Archie was painted the usual Navy Grey with a canvas awning over the aft deck where large windows are placed now.



(http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/11/23/3639198.htm)That is some years ago! (http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/11/23/3639198.htm)

Yep I didn't say it was yesterday or the day before.[biggrin]

Adelaide Airport Stage 1 opened around '54 or '55 The 2nd stage I can't say, but the latest more modern Stage opened in 2005.
(http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/11/23/3639198.htm)

[Gordie]

[bigsad] Tell me about it Gordie.:rolleyes:

From memory Archie was an ex WW2 RAN launch.

He served SA for many years in various duties & usually sailed up & Down the coast close inshore. Apparently now owned & operated by the SA Mariime Museum

http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/11/23/3639198.htm


When I knew him Archie was painted the usual Navy Grey with a canvas awning over the aft deck where large windows are placed now. (http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/11/23/3639198.htm)Yes last I saw of him, he was tied up down near the fishermans markets at the port, and at one time I think the museum was running little trips for the paying public.

[4bee]

Yes last I saw of him, he was tied up down near the fishermans markets at the port, and at one time I think the museum was running little trips for the paying public.


Over the years I suspect he was involved in picking up quite a number of stiffs No not suspect, know.[bighmmm] Often was in the news for this that & the other reasons.

I think he should have been repainted RAN Grey as that would have been the colour that most Adelaidians knew him as. Shark Patrols were another one of his sidelines.