Thread: What Beginner Solo Sailing Boat to Step into Sailing?

Originally Posted by 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

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 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. Learning to duck is very important mind you - Enjoy mate

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!

Originally Posted by 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!

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

Originally Posted by 4bee

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 ....

Originally Posted by Arapiles

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Originally Posted by 4bee

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.

Originally Posted by Arapiles

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.