Just found your vlogs and loving your journey... a few thoughts: 1. Gybing: if the crew has the jib sheets loosened far enough a) the boat will go better and b) the first sign that the wind is properly behind the boat is that the leech (back) of the job will collapse (a bit like the luff flapping when sailing too close to the wind upwind). At that point the boat is ready to gybe. The next stage in the turn is that the jib will cross and fill on the other side. The crew can then swing the boom (using the kicker) to assist the gybe and the whole thing will feel much more in control than that "will it, won't it" feeling as the main crosses in its own time.... it's much more comfortable when you gybe the boat, rather than the boat gybing you. Oversteering through the gybe (rather evident on Row's example here - it should be a 10-20 degree course change) leads to the whole thing powering up early, heading up towards the wind, powering up further when neither of you are ready and capsizing... colloquially, it's "screwing up" :-) Talking of which... 2. Capsize & buoyancy. Let's do those the other way around... Buoyancy: on the Gull's second righting, with you both in it, it looks pretty much swamped. It does look like leakage into the bow tank, but also, in the nicest possible way, between you, you're both quite heavy for a Gull, so it will lie a little lower. One tends to capsize in strong winds, waves (even inland) and when you're already tired. I hate to say it, but lying that low in the water, with waves, it's going to fill as fast as you can bail and be unrecoverable on your own, and only with difficulty with a safety boat. Something to bear in mind, or be wary of if sailing on your own and most awkward if you're over a mile offshore... On the capsize, it's very artificial if you can stand on the bottom of the lakebed. Try it in deep water, with swimming involved. First thing is both of you get to the back of the boat - if it inverts, you don't want someone trapped underneath it. Make sure neither of you are hurt and sort it out from there. 3. While I want to love your instructor in this vid, he should be wearing a kill-cord when operating a powerboat. I hope he was, but it doesn't look like it in this case. It may just be a very long one, around his ankle on the port side of the boat, but i have my doubts. In any event, not doing so is unforgiveable. 4. Balance... you'll get a better idea on a larger boat, like the Wayf. Helm should always be sat on the side deck, not the inner thwart. It gives better visibility, but as much as anything is much more comfortable for both helm and crew. Crew's job is then to sit wherever the boat is balanced, which could even be the other side deck. Again, the Gull might be a slightly small boat for the two of you, though she is beautiful. Loving your journey and watching you learn though :-) Tom RYA Senior Instructor, Powerboat Instructor
Hi Tom thank you for taking the time to write your comments, we really appreciate it. 😄 Yes, we agree, and are planning to take the Gull somewhere with deep enough water to practise different capsize scenarios (our regular lake is very shallow)! As much as we love the Gull, it is pretty small for us both! We will practise your other suggestions too and appreciate the feedback.
Great views out on the water. We got a Sailfish 18 last year. First boat, and never sailed before, but great fun, and new challenges every time. We are at Cramond in Edinburgh, so the first challenge was getting used to being moored in a flowing river. Has been very windy this year, so not keen on going out to sea in conditions that we are not comfortable with.
Nice, it would be good to get a mast float & practice righting the dinghy from a turtle position. A mast float should stop this happening. No doubt the instructor mentioned using the wind also to help. I've never sailed in the lake district, I hope to soon, such a lovely place.
Yes, a mast float is on our list, thanks for suggesting it. We also plan to do more capsize drills with and without the mast float! Full 🐢 is on the list too! 👍
Hello guys, great to observe the documented progress of your dinghy sailing adventures. It can feel like a steep learning curve initially but that's all part of the fun and you're looking good. I am a very happy Gull owner (#2795 Porters built) recently moved to Devon. I look forward to the new seasons episodes and please let me know if you're down this way (River dart). Cheers !
That’s where I started 15 yrs ago. Now i skipper in Greece and Turkey for friends and family occasionally. Last couple of charters have been on 53footers. So onwards and upwards for you ⛵️👍 If you do want to progress I can recommend Plas Meni for training then you can charter world wide. ( food for thought ) thanks for yr reply. ⛵️👍
I'm very definitely in the centre main camp. The advantage is that you are turning forward so you can see where you are throughout the tack. You might want to think about a self bailing option too. Maybe your wayfarer already has one?
What a great time you had on Ullswater. It's been very enjoyable watching your journey with sailing. You asked about preferences for aft or centre main sheeting. I'm definitely in the aft mainsheeting camp. Centre main seems preferred by the racers, but I find it very clunky and counter intuitive. You have a nice base at your sailing club. I shall look forward to seeing more of your adventures. Best wishes Al
Just found your vlogs and loving your journey... a few thoughts:
1. Gybing: if the crew has the jib sheets loosened far enough a) the boat will go better and b) the first sign that the wind is properly behind the boat is that the leech (back) of the job will collapse (a bit like the luff flapping when sailing too close to the wind upwind). At that point the boat is ready to gybe. The next stage in the turn is that the jib will cross and fill on the other side. The crew can then swing the boom (using the kicker) to assist the gybe and the whole thing will feel much more in control than that "will it, won't it" feeling as the main crosses in its own time.... it's much more comfortable when you gybe the boat, rather than the boat gybing you. Oversteering through the gybe (rather evident on Row's example here - it should be a 10-20 degree course change) leads to the whole thing powering up early, heading up towards the wind, powering up further when neither of you are ready and capsizing... colloquially, it's "screwing up" :-) Talking of which...
2. Capsize & buoyancy. Let's do those the other way around... Buoyancy: on the Gull's second righting, with you both in it, it looks pretty much swamped. It does look like leakage into the bow tank, but also, in the nicest possible way, between you, you're both quite heavy for a Gull, so it will lie a little lower. One tends to capsize in strong winds, waves (even inland) and when you're already tired. I hate to say it, but lying that low in the water, with waves, it's going to fill as fast as you can bail and be unrecoverable on your own, and only with difficulty with a safety boat. Something to bear in mind, or be wary of if sailing on your own and most awkward if you're over a mile offshore...
On the capsize, it's very artificial if you can stand on the bottom of the lakebed. Try it in deep water, with swimming involved. First thing is both of you get to the back of the boat - if it inverts, you don't want someone trapped underneath it. Make sure neither of you are hurt and sort it out from there.
3. While I want to love your instructor in this vid, he should be wearing a kill-cord when operating a powerboat. I hope he was, but it doesn't look like it in this case. It may just be a very long one, around his ankle on the port side of the boat, but i have my doubts. In any event, not doing so is unforgiveable.
4. Balance... you'll get a better idea on a larger boat, like the Wayf. Helm should always be sat on the side deck, not the inner thwart. It gives better visibility, but as much as anything is much more comfortable for both helm and crew. Crew's job is then to sit wherever the boat is balanced, which could even be the other side deck. Again, the Gull might be a slightly small boat for the two of you, though she is beautiful.
Loving your journey and watching you learn though :-)
Tom
RYA Senior Instructor, Powerboat Instructor
Hi Tom thank you for taking the time to write your comments, we really appreciate it. 😄
Yes, we agree, and are planning to take the Gull somewhere with deep enough water to practise different capsize scenarios (our regular lake is very shallow)!
As much as we love the Gull, it is pretty small for us both! We will practise your other suggestions too and appreciate the feedback.
Your instructor was great. You've both improved so much in a short amount of time.
Thank you! Joe was such a great instructor! 👌
Great views out on the water. We got a Sailfish 18 last year. First boat, and never sailed before, but great fun, and new challenges every time. We are at Cramond in Edinburgh, so the first challenge was getting used to being moored in a flowing river. Has been very windy this year, so not keen on going out to sea in conditions that we are not comfortable with.
That sounds fantastic! I bet it’s beautiful where you are, thanks for sharing. It’s certainly a fun and challenging adventure! 😀
Just found yr channel I’m sat here smiling you really are having a ball and it coming across really well keep up the good work ⛵️👍
Thanks for the lovely comment and for watching! Glad you’re enjoying it! 😎
Aha. Nice to catch up again. I’m chuffed with my first lesson in the week and ready for a second. Thanks for a helpful episode and lovely footage. J
Thanks. Glad to hear your lesson went well. 👍
What a beautiful boat. I like the old designs.
Thank you! 😊
Excellent day of training and fun too.
Thank you for your comment, it really was a lot of fun!! 😊
Nice, it would be good to get a mast float & practice righting the dinghy from a turtle position. A mast float should stop this happening. No doubt the instructor mentioned using the wind also to help. I've never sailed in the lake district, I hope to soon, such a lovely place.
Yes, a mast float is on our list, thanks for suggesting it. We also plan to do more capsize drills with and without the mast float! Full 🐢 is on the list too! 👍
Hello guys, great to observe the documented progress of your dinghy sailing adventures. It can feel like a steep learning curve initially but that's all part of the fun and you're looking good. I am a very happy Gull owner (#2795 Porters built) recently moved to Devon. I look forward to the new seasons episodes and please let me know if you're down this way (River dart). Cheers !
Great to hear from a fellow Gull owner and thanks for the encouraging message!
Look forward to seeing you in Devon! 👍
That’s where I started 15 yrs ago. Now i skipper in Greece and Turkey for friends and family occasionally. Last couple of charters have been on 53footers. So onwards and upwards for you ⛵️👍
If you do want to progress I can recommend Plas Meni for training then you can charter world wide. ( food for thought ) thanks for yr reply. ⛵️👍
Greece and Turkey, that’s sounds amazing!! ☀️ Thanks for the recommendation, we’ve taken a look at the website and the place looks fantastic!! 👍
I'm very definitely in the centre main camp. The advantage is that you are turning forward so you can see where you are throughout the tack. You might want to think about a self bailing option too. Maybe your wayfarer already has one?
We don’t think either boat has a self bailing option, definitely something to look into! Thanks 👍
Brilliant video. And I'm learning something too
Great 👍
Well, that went very well didn't it. Beautiful conditions to practice capsizing.🙃
Perfect conditions! 👌
Well done!!
Thanks 👍
Don’t forget, your Wayfarer is centre sheeted, so a slightly different technique to tack and gybe!
Yes! Before we take the Wayfarer out again, we will set it up as an aft main so we can bed in that technique and not get too confused!!
Yep but out at sea in chop with cold water it’s a totally different scenario , I know I nearly didn’t make it luckily I had a dry suit
Absolutely!!
What a great time you had on Ullswater. It's been very enjoyable watching your journey with sailing.
You asked about preferences for aft or centre main sheeting. I'm definitely in the aft mainsheeting camp. Centre main seems preferred by the racers, but I find it very clunky and counter intuitive.
You have a nice base at your sailing club. I shall look forward to seeing more of your adventures.
Best wishes
Al
Thanks for your lovely message, we are glad you are enjoying the vids 👍
You have all been christened!
Proper sailors now! 😀