Hi-value fun (Sailing / Yachting in General)

Member Name: alistair

Product:	Sailing / Yachting in General
Date:	16/07/00 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: max. fun

Disadvantages: bad if you are aquaphobic

Sailing can be what ever you want it to be. There are such a wide range of options and types of boat that you could spend years trying each type out.
Good sources of information for a beginner are the Royal Yachting Association. Sounds a bit old school but is staffed by a whole bunch of helpful people who will send you all sorts of leaflets and brochures on just about anything to do with the subject.
If you are interested you need to examine the depts of your pocket, where you live, how mobile you are, and how much time you wish to commit to the whole business.
A good source of all round boatiness can be found at the London Boat Show which is every year in Earles Court, just after the New Year. Here you will find a load of boats to examine, prod, kick, sit on / in, and pick up brochures for. Also a whole range of stands for types of sailing (yachting, tall ships, dinghies, windsurfers, even sometimes sub-aqua diving and jet ski-ing). A good place to meet anyone at the Boat Show is the Guiness stand - if they are late you can amuse yourself with Irelands finest draft.
If you have decided on dinghy sailing a good source of knowledge is the dinghy show which is usually just after Easter. Here you will find displayed a large range of dinghies from most of the active classes (types of boat).
Finally sources of info can be found in Yachts and Yachting or other boating magazines.
If you have no money dont worry (famous last words). Just turn up to you nearest sailing club and find a friendly looking face and explain that you want to crew for someone. Usually this will start off with pulling some frayed ropes in something resembling a cockle-shell alongside someone resembling old father time. However once you get better known and if you are any good people will be ringing you up to twist your arm to sail with them. Initially you may be lent some old sailing rags but do be prepared to buy some kit.
If you want to race your boat you will need to f
ind others to race against, ideally with similar types of craft. You will find it boring if your boat is a slowish type and everyone is in the bar by the time you cross the finish line. I would suggest that before buying anything you visit a few nearby sailing clubs and see what is sailed there and what they are like. Then consider buying a type of boat in that class. Some clubs only allow racing for a predefined range of boats so a bit of legwork at the outset is worth it. On the money side of things buying a boat out of a magazine ad is all very well but you usually get a much better deal buying locally from an advert on a sailing club notice board.
Reasons why I enjoy sailing - no matter how terrible a week / month / year I have had, when I am out on the water I can completely absorb myself in it and just have fun. If you already sail you will know this - if you dont give it a go.

Summary: