Check the forecast before going afloat. Remember the adage “It’s better to be on shore wishing you were sailing than to be sailing wishing you were on shore”.
Weird comment but....I sailed a lot as a teenager and now as a 40 something I want to get my kids out out on the water and have been looking at Wayfarers so can get 4 people cruising. Was worried I had forgotten a lot but watching this video and some other has actually made me realise I'm probably ok :)
One thing i would add is to have an objective everytime you go out to improve your skill set, maybe sailing around a course, up to a bouy, man overboard etc. fair winds aye!
Just watched a few of your videos - love them! (So I've subscribed, of course). We didn't start sailing till our forties (20 years ago), so I still remember being where you are now. My top tips? 1. Don't buy a boat! When you begin, EVERY boat you sail feels wonderful, but you've not a clue what is right for you (you do touch on this). Join a club, sail lots of different boats and let that money burn a hole in your pocket until you really HAVE to buy something. (This tip would make for rubbish videos, mind!) 2. Find a good instructor, and spend all your money on tuition instead. You'll see lots of sailors who've just done a weekend course and then taught themselves a ton of bad habits - don't do this! Instructors fall into two camps: they're either great sailors or great instructors. Very rarely you'll find someone who's brilliant at both - spend your money with them! 3. Race. Buying a boat that is raced at your local club, then copying other sailors as they sail away from you in identical boats and identical conditions is brilliant (free) tuition. And the people who beat you will be only too happy to explain where you're getting it wrong...
Thank you for all your comments and for subscribing. Glad you are enjoying the videos and thanks for all the info and helpful advice, it’s much appreciated! ⛵️
Nice video guys, I’m 60 now and sailed since I was 12 from dinghies to big boats. Sailing dinghies to start is great, they are more responsive to change in wind strength, direction and will help no end of you go on to want a bigger boat. I would say do your rigging video and as long as you don’t title it ‘How to rig a dinghy’' and more ‘This is how we rig our dinghy’ and ask for input to improve or pointers to change then I’m sure you will get lots of useful input from those that have more experience. Yes, you may get some tut, tutting and negative comments but just have to ignore them. Best of luck you will get there, time on the water is key, you will make lots of mistakes but you will learn from them. Andy UK
As someone who teaches improvers, i.e.post RYA course, but pre confident sailor, there is a lot to get wrong, but there are only about half a dozen fundamental problems with sailing technique that everyone struggles with at this stage. These are 1) wind direction awareness, 2) pointing too high into the wind. 3) not sheeting in hard when close hauled, 4) not sitting out hard enough (or at all) 5) not playing the sails constantly. 6) Not using the tiller extension correctly. Boat choice is a minefield. Ask 10 different sailors and you'll get 10 different answers.
Super helpful comment, thank you for taking the time to write it!! The points you have made will definitely help us to focus on what we should work on… Thanks again 👍
Think you've nailed it with those 7. I'm literally at exactly the same stage in sailing as you - your vlog is Heaven-sent for me. Yes read basic books! I'd say no.8 (and this is something my daughter laughed at me for doing) - if you haven't got a boat but have to hire one (like me) make a pretend tiller and extension and a piece of rope to simulate a sheet and set out a 'boat' shape on the living room floor. Cushions for side-deck.... Don't laugh! I rehearsed hundreds of tack and gybe tiller/mainsheet exchanges between each Start Sailing lesson. I even had a fake centreboard.... i know...embarrassing. I watch RYA training videos and tack and gybe in my own living room. I know it's stupid! But my instructor was amazed at how I 'knew' how to tack and gybe perfectly after one lesson.... No.9 Hire a boat don't buy one. Cheaper - for me anyway. Video Liked! Thanks, and please keep making videos. Dave
Thanks for your message Dave, great points and ideas and very amusing 😀. If it makes you better then it has to be good. It’s amazing what you can do with a bit of creativity and a few props… 👍
Great video (again!). One thing I would say is that, to my mind so much in sailing is about feel and is hard to pick up from books etc. The only way to gain confidence and knowledge, for instance of wind awareness, is through experience, ie just go sailing as much as you can, and it will evolve and become second nature. I think there is a tendency to over think some things, whereas the more you just do it, the more you will become 'tuned in'. And don't sell the Wayfarer - you've already said how much you love it and it will come into its own at some point I am sure. One more thing, it might be a good idea to swap roles from time to time, learn each other's job. It would provide variety and would ensure both crew would be competent (and confident) in either role should this be required (or just to make a change). And a better understanding of the other person's task means you're more likely to function better as a team, which will become more important as the sailing gets more challenging. All the best.
Thanks for your comment, we like what your saying about getting a feel for things and being tuned in. We are sure it will become second nature just need to keep getting out there… Thanks again
Very happy to find your channel. I’m a dad of three teens and happy (but distant) memories of sailing with a friend as a kid. Now hoping to get into sailing once again. I’ve booked some tuition and plan to do RYA level 1 and 2. Your experiences are really valuable to me.
Enjoy watching you guys. I am upgrading from my Laser as i aam looking for something more sailing than diving...! Its a huge learning curve and your videos are so helpful and encouraging.
The biggest recommendations for layers is make sure you have the right blocks that are not to big and the right cleats you only realy need a decent boat to do well
I could be flippant and say mistake 1 was buying a wayfarer, it's heavy, slow, poorly responsive and an absolute *** if you capsize it. The gull looks much better for learning. 2 practical tips.... try and keep the tiller extension either down by your side or held across your chest rather than pointing it away from you, and secondly use your telltales on the jib, these are the most sensitive indicator of your airflow over the sails.
I have been sailing for thirty years. One thing you want to do, especially because you are sailing dinghies, is to park the boat in your yard, grab your toolbox and disassemble your boat completely. Reassemble the boat when you're done and then do it again. There is no better way to know your boat. Believe me, I have unbuilt and rebuilt about twenty sailboats.
on the kit on the mast, boom and hull and replace them with good, high-quality rivets from a hardware store or chandlery. Doing this you will be able to see the way in which any lines run internally in the mast and boom. It's also an opportunity to replace chafed or old lines and halyards.
Once you get more confident with your sailing abilities with the Gull, and maybe want to try salt water, then the Wayfarer will be ideal in that environment. If you ever then fancy cruising , say on the Norfolk Broads or Lake district and may want to fit up a boom tent for overnight, a Wayfarer is more space for that. Also you do go close to the sea on the Norfolk Broads and you may be happier in the Wayfarer. You have a good combination with the Gull and Wayfarer.
Best advice is to talk to people at your sailing club. Also, it can be easier sailing on the sea because the wind is steadier. Now you need to buy a Wanderer for the set.
For your tpe of boat a highfield lever is crutial however newer boats like rs200 do not use theese insted the use a clam cleat and 4 to 1 cascade purchase
Liked the video. Though I wish you’d produced it several years ago. I bought a Wayfarer too because I’d done my Level 1&2 in one. Subsequently I bought one with a road base & trolley which didn’t match the dinghy. When I first launched it I noticed that GP14 was painted on the road base! The main sail though crisp & in good condition didn’t have reefing points. The foresail had a rope luff which didn’t give the necessary tension. The sheaves at the base of the mast were badly corroded as was the sheave for the foresail. To be honest there were a catalogue of things wrong with it. However, I learnt a lot from putting those things right. I found that there are a lot of people in the sailing community who have an abundance of expertise, knowledge with a willingness to share it. Good luck, the Wayfarer is a great dinghy.
Thank you for the comment and for liking the video! It’s great to hear other people’s experiences and we couldn’t agree more, the knowledge and willingness to help from those in the sailing community has been invaluable and much appreciated! 👌
What a really super, engaging video. I've taught RYA in the past and the only thing I'd add to your own cracking list is to remember that sailing is an active pastime. You have to keep moving; tiller, sheets, weight/balance. As soon as you stop feeling it and moving... pooh happens.
So happy to have found your channel. It looks like we are at a similar stage in our sailing experience, but also in the same location. I'll be returning to the UK soon, and hope to see you both at Frampton soon
Learning on a small boat makes you a better sailor. Love your video. (I used to teach in Canada and own an Albacore and a bigger keelboat) I'll echo @rogerdarbyshire5664 points. I'll expand some with some common sayings: - sails: when in doubt, let them out; then pull in until luffing stops. Use ticklers on the sails to tell you when they are set correctly or to steer a close-hauled course. - to go close-hauled set the jib as tight as you can but with still a good slot or space between the jib and mast or mainsail. Then steer the boat up into the wind until the jib starts to luff, then back down just a bit. You know it is starting to luff when the inboard ticklers starts to luff or back. If the outboard tickler is collapsed or backing, that means the sail is stalling - not producing much power - so come up into the wind. - the tiller extension: sit forward so that the tiller clears your legs, then add another 6"; then hold the tiller extension so it is by your upper arm or perpendicular to the tiller - never across the front of your body (I say almost like a microphone - with your thumb up - but to your side) - have a routine to check things in order: obstacles, wind direction, boat direction, sails, centreboard (or daggerboard) - all in about 3 to 5 seconds - it becomes more natural and subconscious as you get better. - join FB or other social media groups with ppl that own the same boats, class association, club, etc. Great if there are other owners at the club or nearby - in order to compare notes, ask questions, and mutual support. That last one is the most important.
Another great comment full of valuable info! Thanks for the pointers and for taking the time to write them… We are both amazed at how much help and time the sailing community is willing to give. We have experienced this both online and at the sailing clubs and centres we have been to so far, so we couldn’t agree more with your last point 👍
![[🔴LIVE] งานประกาศรางวัล MAYA TV AWARDS 2024 : มายามหาชน](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nwmWYXXVwBY/mqdefault.jpg)
Check the forecast before going afloat. Remember the adage “It’s better to be on shore wishing you were sailing than to be sailing wishing you were on shore”.
Thats a great adage made us laugh 👍 and is also good advice…
Weird comment but....I sailed a lot as a teenager and now as a 40 something I want to get my kids out out on the water and have been looking at Wayfarers so can get 4 people cruising. Was worried I had forgotten a lot but watching this video and some other has actually made me realise I'm probably ok :)
That’s great! It will probably all come back to you very quickly. Enjoy! 😊
One thing i would add is to have an objective everytime you go out to improve your skill set, maybe sailing around a course, up to a bouy, man overboard etc. fair winds aye!
That is a great point, thank you for sharing it! 👌
Just watched a few of your videos - love them! (So I've subscribed, of course).
We didn't start sailing till our forties (20 years ago), so I still remember being where you are now.
My top tips?
1. Don't buy a boat! When you begin, EVERY boat you sail feels wonderful, but you've not a clue what is right for you (you do touch on this). Join a club, sail lots of different boats and let that money burn a hole in your pocket until you really HAVE to buy something. (This tip would make for rubbish videos, mind!)
2. Find a good instructor, and spend all your money on tuition instead. You'll see lots of sailors who've just done a weekend course and then taught themselves a ton of bad habits - don't do this! Instructors fall into two camps: they're either great sailors or great instructors. Very rarely you'll find someone who's brilliant at both - spend your money with them!
3. Race. Buying a boat that is raced at your local club, then copying other sailors as they sail away from you in identical boats and identical conditions is brilliant (free) tuition. And the people who beat you will be only too happy to explain where you're getting it wrong...
Thank you for all your comments and for subscribing. Glad you are enjoying the videos and thanks for all the info and helpful advice, it’s much appreciated! ⛵️
Nice video guys, I’m 60 now and sailed since I was 12 from dinghies to big boats. Sailing dinghies to start is great, they are more responsive to change in wind strength, direction and will help no end of you go on to want a bigger boat. I would say do your rigging video and as long as you don’t title it ‘How to rig a dinghy’' and more ‘This is how we rig our dinghy’ and ask for input to improve or pointers to change then I’m sure you will get lots of useful input from those that have more experience. Yes, you may get some tut, tutting and negative comments but just have to ignore them. Best of luck you will get there, time on the water is key, you will make lots of mistakes but you will learn from them. Andy UK
Hi Andy, thank you for your comment, that’s really helpful and much appreciated. How we rig our boat is a great idea!! 👍
As someone who teaches improvers, i.e.post RYA course, but pre confident sailor, there is a lot to get wrong, but there are only about half a dozen fundamental problems with sailing technique that everyone struggles with at this stage. These are 1) wind direction awareness, 2) pointing too high into the wind. 3) not sheeting in hard when close hauled, 4) not sitting out hard enough (or at all) 5) not playing the sails constantly. 6) Not using the tiller extension correctly.
Boat choice is a minefield. Ask 10 different sailors and you'll get 10 different answers.
Super helpful comment, thank you for taking the time to write it!! The points you have made will definitely help us to focus on what we should work on…
Thanks again 👍
Think you've nailed it with those 7. I'm literally at exactly the same stage in sailing as you - your vlog is Heaven-sent for me. Yes read basic books! I'd say no.8 (and this is something my daughter laughed at me for doing) - if you haven't got a boat but have to hire one (like me) make a pretend tiller and extension and a piece of rope to simulate a sheet and set out a 'boat' shape on the living room floor. Cushions for side-deck.... Don't laugh! I rehearsed hundreds of tack and gybe tiller/mainsheet exchanges between each Start Sailing lesson. I even had a fake centreboard.... i know...embarrassing. I watch RYA training videos and tack and gybe in my own living room. I know it's stupid! But my instructor was amazed at how I 'knew' how to tack and gybe perfectly after one lesson.... No.9 Hire a boat don't buy one. Cheaper - for me anyway. Video Liked! Thanks, and please keep making videos. Dave
Thanks for your message Dave, great points and ideas and very amusing 😀. If it makes you better then it has to be good. It’s amazing what you can do with a bit of creativity and a few props… 👍
Great video (again!).
One thing I would say is that, to my mind so much in sailing is about feel and is hard to pick up from books etc. The only way to gain confidence and knowledge, for instance of wind awareness, is through experience, ie just go sailing as much as you can, and it will evolve and become second nature. I think there is a tendency to over think some things, whereas the more you just do it, the more you will become 'tuned in'.
And don't sell the Wayfarer - you've already said how much you love it and it will come into its own at some point I am sure.
One more thing, it might be a good idea to swap roles from time to time, learn each other's job. It would provide variety and would ensure both crew would be competent (and confident) in either role should this be required (or just to make a change). And a better understanding of the other person's task means you're more likely to function better as a team, which will become more important as the sailing gets more challenging.
All the best.
Thanks for your comment, we like what your saying about getting a feel for things and being tuned in. We are sure it will become second nature just need to keep getting out there… Thanks again
Very happy to find your channel. I’m a dad of three teens and happy (but distant) memories of sailing with a friend as a kid. Now hoping to get into sailing once again. I’ve booked some tuition and plan to do RYA level 1 and 2. Your experiences are really valuable to me.
Oh, and cheers me babber
Fantastic!! That’s great that you’ve booked tuition and you’re getting back into sailing. Glad you’ve found our channel and thanks for the comment. 😊
Enjoy watching you guys.
I am upgrading from my Laser as i aam looking for something more sailing than diving...!
Its a huge learning curve and your videos are so helpful and encouraging.
Thank you for your positive and encouraging comment! 👍
The biggest recommendations for layers is make sure you have the right blocks that are not to big and the right cleats you only realy need a decent boat to do well
I could be flippant and say mistake 1 was buying a wayfarer, it's heavy, slow, poorly responsive and an absolute *** if you capsize it. The gull looks much better for learning. 2 practical tips.... try and keep the tiller extension either down by your side or held across your chest rather than pointing it away from you, and secondly use your telltales on the jib, these are the most sensitive indicator of your airflow over the sails.
Absolutely! Thanks for the tips, really helpful. Look out for ‘intermittent’ improved tiller extension technique in up and coming videos!
I have been sailing for thirty years. One thing you want to do, especially because you are sailing dinghies, is to park the boat in your yard, grab your toolbox and disassemble your boat completely. Reassemble the boat when you're done and then do it again. There is no better way to know your boat. Believe me, I have unbuilt and rebuilt about twenty sailboats.
Hi Khy, what a great idea, thank you for sharing that. We will definitely plan to do that in the near future, perhaps it will make a good video!
Be sure to have a good rivet gun at your disposal. You can drill out the old rivets @@DanandRow
on the kit on the mast, boom and hull and replace them with good, high-quality rivets from a hardware store or chandlery. Doing this you will be able to see the way in which any lines run internally in the mast and boom. It's also an opportunity to replace chafed or old lines and halyards.
Brilliant! Thank you. Some more things to look into. 👍
Which sailing club are you based at?
Hi Andrew, we are based at Frampton, a lovely little lake in Gloucestershire!
@@DanandRow ah super. I am based at Bowmoor Sailing Club in Lechlade not far from you at all. I also sail a Gull, mines a Gull Spirit.
So good to see you have proper fun
Once you get more confident with your sailing abilities with the Gull, and maybe want to try salt water, then the Wayfarer will be ideal in that environment. If you ever then fancy cruising , say on the Norfolk Broads or Lake district and may want to fit up a boom tent for overnight, a Wayfarer is more space for that. Also you do go close to the sea on the Norfolk Broads and you may be happier in the Wayfarer. You have a good combination with the Gull and Wayfarer.
Thank you for your comments, we’ve always wanted to go to the Norfolk Broads, that would be an adventure! ⛵️
Best advice is to talk to people at your sailing club.
Also, it can be easier sailing on the sea because the wind is steadier.
Now you need to buy a Wanderer for the set.
Thanks for the comment, yes, speaking with other members at the club has and continues to be invaluable! We love the idea of a Wanderer too!! 😀
For your tpe of boat a highfield lever is crutial however newer boats like rs200 do not use theese insted the use a clam cleat and 4 to 1 cascade purchase
Thank you for the comment, that's good to know. 👍
Use checklists, don't try to memorise.
Liked the video. Though I wish you’d produced it several years ago. I bought a Wayfarer too because I’d done my Level 1&2 in one. Subsequently I bought one with a road base & trolley which didn’t match the dinghy. When I first launched it I noticed that GP14 was painted on the road base! The main sail though crisp & in good condition didn’t have reefing points. The foresail had a rope luff which didn’t give the necessary tension. The sheaves at the base of the mast were badly corroded as was the sheave for the foresail. To be honest there were a catalogue of things wrong with it. However, I learnt a lot from putting those things right. I found that there are a lot of people in the sailing community who have an abundance of expertise, knowledge with a willingness to share it. Good luck, the Wayfarer is a great dinghy.
Thank you for the comment and for liking the video! It’s great to hear other people’s experiences and we couldn’t agree more, the knowledge and willingness to help from those in the sailing community has been invaluable and much appreciated! 👌
What a really super, engaging video. I've taught RYA in the past and the only thing I'd add to your own cracking list is to remember that sailing is an active pastime. You have to keep moving; tiller, sheets, weight/balance. As soon as you stop feeling it and moving... pooh happens.
Thank you so much for the positive feedback and for the helpful tips! Hopefully it will help us and others avoid the ‘pooh’ 😀
So happy to have found your channel. It looks like we are at a similar stage in our sailing experience, but also in the same location. I'll be returning to the UK soon, and hope to see you both at Frampton soon
We are glad you found it too 👍 we look forward to bumping into you at Frampton when you are back in the UK.
Happy Travels!
Learning on a small boat makes you a better sailor. Love your video. (I used to teach in Canada and own an Albacore and a bigger keelboat)
I'll echo @rogerdarbyshire5664 points.
I'll expand some with some common sayings:
- sails: when in doubt, let them out; then pull in until luffing stops. Use ticklers on the sails to tell you when they are set correctly or to steer a close-hauled course.
- to go close-hauled set the jib as tight as you can but with still a good slot or space between the jib and mast or mainsail. Then steer the boat up into the wind until the jib starts to luff, then back down just a bit. You know it is starting to luff when the inboard ticklers starts to luff or back. If the outboard tickler is collapsed or backing, that means the sail is stalling - not producing much power - so come up into the wind.
- the tiller extension: sit forward so that the tiller clears your legs, then add another 6"; then hold the tiller extension so it is by your upper arm or perpendicular to the tiller - never across the front of your body (I say almost like a microphone - with your thumb up - but to your side)
- have a routine to check things in order: obstacles, wind direction, boat direction, sails, centreboard (or daggerboard) - all in about 3 to 5 seconds - it becomes more natural and subconscious as you get better.
- join FB or other social media groups with ppl that own the same boats, class association, club, etc. Great if there are other owners at the club or nearby - in order to compare notes, ask questions, and mutual support.
That last one is the most important.
Another great comment full of valuable info! Thanks for the pointers and for taking the time to write them…
We are both amazed at how much help and time the sailing community is willing to give.
We have experienced this both online and at the sailing clubs and centres we have been to so far, so we couldn’t agree more with your last point 👍