Big boat sailor wanting to get into dinghy sailing

   Hi all,I am a big boat sailor, but unfortunately my local club is becoming more and more against big boat racing and my only opportunity is the winter series for 6 weeks, frankly 6 weeks a year racing in my eyes is pretty poor. I am curious to weather any body has any pointers for a big boat sailor who has never stepped foot onto a dinghy before, to weather or not it is a recipe for disaster or a realistic option. I am from Newcastle upon tyne so if anybody has a clue to where is also good to start out that would also be great.

Cheers

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uk_northeast_crew Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 16 Jan 11 Location: Northumberland Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote uk_northeast_crew Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Big boat sailor wanting to get into dinghy sailing Posted: 16 Jan 11 at 1:56pm
	Hi all, I am a big boat sailor, but unfortunately my local club is becoming more and more against big boat racing and my only opportunity is the winter series for 6 weeks, frankly 6 weeks a year racing in my eyes is pretty poor. I am curious to weather any body has any pointers for a big boat sailor who has never stepped foot onto a dinghy before, to weather or not it is a recipe for disaster or a realistic option. I am from Newcastle upon tyne so if anybody has a clue to where is also good to start out that would also be great. Cheers

Quagers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 279	Post Options Post Reply Quote Quagers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 11 at 2:45pm
	Its not too difficult a transition, as you should already know the mechanics of what makes a boat move, sail trim etc. The big difference is obviously the tippyness and getting your head round the fact that dinghy's are sailed flat. I would recommend finding a sailing school and tell them what your experience is and see what they suggest or find someone who needs a crew an is willing to teach you and just get out there. The nearest club to you is probably South Shields SC. Good luck!

SalsaPirates Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Newbie Joined: 19 Jan 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 33	Post Options Post Reply Quote SalsaPirates Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 11 at 9:44am
	You could always take the middle road and try Flying Fifteens. I think they have quite a good active fleet at Derwent reservoir near you. All the fun of a dinghy while still retaining the benefits of keelboat.

EmmyC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 30 Oct 10 Location: Berkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 39	Post Options Post Reply Quote EmmyC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Feb 11 at 12:11pm
	You could try a K1, they really push the boundaries between dinghy and keelboat sailing. They are the same size a large dinghy (and are single-handed) yet have a keel. http://yachtsandyachting.com/classes/?s=42&c=336

kfz Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 02 Nov 10 Location: UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 96	Post Options Post Reply Quote kfz Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Feb 11 at 1:01pm
	Sounds like you wanna go racing, what active fleets do they have at your local clubs? I'd keep in mind that most successful racing clubs seem to be inland. Im sure you will have no problems. Kev
	GP14 Fleet Captain Liverpool Sailing Club Liverpool SC

vscott Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 11 Apr 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 181	Post Options Post Reply Quote vscott Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Feb 11 at 11:43am
	Come and give Kielder Water a look - we have training courses for members and also members looking fo rcrews. We are always looking for keen racers - but it is only handicap racing. What size and weight are you? Fancy hanging on a trapeze?
	Mk IV Osprey 1314 Think Again Kielder Water Sailing Club

StartedSailing Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Newbie Joined: 18 Feb 11 Location: London, UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote StartedSailing Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Mar 11 at 8:50pm
	Hi, I would definitely go about joining a club nearby. They usually offer training courses, sailing instruction as well as being other people you can socialise with you enjoy the sport you are partaking in! If you know how to sail a yacht, you should be able to sail a dinghy to a very average standard. On the other hand sailing a dinghy compared to sailing a yacht is like comparing go karting to driving the family car. Dinghy sailing is much faster paced (you will be finished in an hour or so), while yacht sailing is more daily or even weekly long distance sailing. I prefer dinghy sailing, because you are closer to the water and you have to make much faster decisions, while when yachting everything moves much slower and once you have set the sail, you pretty much stay static (although this is not true in yacht racing). There is a lot more to learn in dinghy sailing to get every inch of speed out of it, which part of the whole fun of learning how to sail. My site http://www.startedsailing.com is aimed specifically at people who want to learn how to sail dinghies as well as yachts. Check it out if your interested. Best regards, Alex
	Best regards, Alex Dotsch http://www.startedsailing.com