Sailing continuation options (Brisbane)
Posted by Muted-Mango653@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 8 comments
Hi everyone,
I just completed dinghy start sailing 1 & 2 at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and want some advice on what you think the best next steps would be.
I’d like to get the chance to go on bigger boats but also really enjoyed the dinghy sailing and feel you learn a lot quickly on them. Basically I want to keep going and become more confident and competent.
Current thinking and some things I’m unclear on:
- I am going to sign up and do the start crewing course on keelboats at RQYS June / July
- Was going to try and go to the Wednesday afternoon sailing at RQYS when I can manage to get out of work (not sure how that will go with my very limited experience and I’m a bit apprehensive)
- Apart from that how do I continue with the dinghy sailing / how can I get into racing or just more practice time? Do I sign up at a club? Will there be people that can help me learn more and race with there? Was looking at Darling Point Sailing Squadron out at Manly as an idea.
- Do I need to eventually pull the trigger and buy myself a dinghy or will clubs hire them?
- Should I consider more courses in dinghies? I think there’s better sailing and start racing etc.
I recently bought an apartment on my own so with a crippling mortgage I don’t have endless money to spend on this and also means dinghy storage would be problematic (although I could probably work something out). That being said I really enjoyed getting out on the water and want to get the chance to continue.
Appreciate any help, I know this is a bit rambling but just feel a bit lost with how best to progress.
Thanks!
planeray@reddit
Hey man, I'm down in Sydney, but I'm sure you banana benders aren't all that different ;)
You're absolutely right - you'll learn more, faster if you're on a dinghy, but there's nothing to stop you doing both.
Skippers are always looking for crew. If you're good enough to actually turn up when you say you're going to, you'll get invited back. Turn up with a smile & a six pack and you'll be sweet.
Looks like the Squaddie is pretty well setup for it - they've implemented SailPass, which is a temp member system that covers you for insurance and such. Take the chance while you're there to ask what arrangements they have around dinghies - usually though the Yacht & Dinghy groups seem to separate into their own tribes.
A lot of places will have club boats, though they're usually pretty tired. They may also have storage you can rent there (usually cheaper for members) so you don't have to even worry about getting it down from your apartment. I've always found Dinghy sailors in particular to be very friendly in bringing on newcomers as a lot of them are solo sailors, so that time rigging up and racing together is when they bond.
If you're ever down in Sydney, give me a ping and more than happy to have you out.
RedPh0enix@reddit
Ain't that the truth. Although I sail bigger boats and travel lots of miles, the most fun and greatest learning opportunities I've had involve sabots, hobies, and even a walker bay dinghy with a sail kit.
Not much to add to the stuff above despite being based in Moreton bay; all good advice. RQYS seems to be the go-to option for introductory boating.
A couple of left field options to ponder from a storage perspective: * Minicat inflatable sailing cat * Tiwal inflatable sail boat * Reverso folding/nesting saiboat
Pricey.. eyewateringly so in some cases, but fold down into a couple of bags, that might be apartment-compatible.
Muted-Mango653@reddit (OP)
I just went with RQYS for the Start Sailing because that was the first that came up on a Google. Didn’t really think about it beyond that.
I’ve got a single lockup garage and don’t really mind storing the car on the street. And then I need to figure if anything can actually be towed behind a Mazda 3. If not I might be out a bit on that idea.
The Tiwal looks so cool, I watched some of their videos but then took a look at the price, eek. Maybe one day.
RedPh0enix@reddit
How much head height above the Mazda?
https://shop.inflatableboatparts.com/product/skydock-storage-system-for-garages-and-decks/
Muted-Mango653@reddit (OP)
Possibly… I was looking at this. 2.5m ceiling height so it’d be tight. The Mazda is old enough and out of warranty enough that I’m really fine if it starts its outdoors life from now.
It’s got a towing capacity unbraked of 600kg. Which maybe works.
Muted-Mango653@reddit (OP)
Thanks mate, really appreciate the advice, even if it’s coming from NSW.
RQYS obviously leans a lot more towards the keelboat program and membership is probably above what I can manage currently to get into any of their dinghy sailing or storage. It would be too much of a stretch for me. That’s why I looked at the Darling Point Squadron for dinghies (although they don’t offer storage)
So really just stick my head in the door there and ask about membership and what the go is around dinghies?
Will do for sure if I ever make it South. Cheers
planeray@reddit
Yeh, anything with Royal in the name tends to be a bit pricier!
Totally go and have a chat. Especially in smaller clubs, getting in touch via email & phone can be a bit harder as they're volunteer run. Looks like Darling Point has a fair few different fleets there too. If you really want to endear yourself to them, see if you can help out with the sailability people.
Muted-Mango653@reddit (OP)
Ok, will do! Excuse my ignorance but I had no idea about sailability but I’d love to be able to help out volunteering with that. Cheers for the tips