Sailing in the UK?

Question

Hi. I'd like to start sailing, with my eye on a small boat my friend is selling. Obviously I wouldn't dream of buying it until I knew what I was doing but it is suited perfectly to what I want; small, but comfortable for three to four people, suited to coastal cruising around the UK and maybe hopping across the Channel.

Anyway that's for some other time. What I'd like to know is, what qualification do I need to do this sort of sailing, with just me, the fiancee and parents aboard, just for the odd weekend around the south coast or across to the continent?

ROUGHLY how much should I expect to pay for this, and how long will it take if I pick things up relatively smoothly?

Any help welcome- Cheers!

Answer 1

Go to your local boat/sailing club and get details of boat handling and navigation courses. If you are "at sea" at sea you will be a danger to yourself, your passengers, and any other vessel you come near. Also the French can be sensible about marine idiots and could impound your boat.

Answer 2

For sea cruising, you don't actually need anything, however no insurance company would insure your boat unless they knew there would be an experienced skipper at the helm. Or rather they would take your money, then if you sink the boat, want to know who the skipper was.

If it was you, then claim rejected. They do ask about your experience when you take out the policy.

Go for your RYA powerboat level 2 with coastal endorsement.
Passing this will allow you to apply for the RYA International Certificate of Competence which will satisfy the insurance company and ensure you have the minimum knowledge required for safe cruising. Cost about £250 for the weekend.

Of course, armed with this knowledge, you may well then decide that your "small" boat wasn't suited to "hopping across the Channel".

But you have the right idea and more importantly the right attitude. Get the course done, then buy the biggest boat you can afford; for the strange thing about boats is that they shrink directly in proportion to the amount of time you own one or as function of how far away the closest shore is.

As for channel crossing (busiest shipping lane in the world and not exactly a millpond): 20' is pushing it, 24' OK maybe , 30' ideal, 36' brilliant and then you can be a little more flexible about the weather.

Answer 3

Strangely there isn't any obligatory qualification for what you describe. If you want to, you hop in your boat and go. However, as you wisely recognise, it's vital for your safety and for that matter enjoyment to know what you're doing.

I'd look up "sailing schools" in Yellow Pages etc, find one near you and go and chat with them about your visions. I expect you'll find the training fun, too. It won't be too cheap, but cheaper than the lives of you and your family.

I wish more people would, like you, consider what they're planning - then the lifeboats and helicopters would have an easier time of it.

Only last year two blokes bought a boat near here and decided to "sail" it home down the coast. They got about 2 miles before putting it on the rocks, thankfully where they could scramble ashore. Right under the Coastguard station, too. They had no idea at all about sailing, no equipment, not even a paddle or a torch, let alone lifejackets etc. They lost the boat after owning it a matter of hours, and it wasn't insured of course. Shame, too, it was a pretty little boat until it broke up . . .

Answer 4

I've no idea what the prices are now, but it's easy enough to ask a few RYA sailing schools near you. You don't need any qualifications in the UK (but you do in almost every other country - including France) but you'd be STUPID to put to sea unless you knew what you were doing.

I'd suggest you do (at the bare minimum) the RYA 5-day Competent Crew course, the 5-day Day Skipper Theory course and the 5-day Day Skipper Practical course.

Go to your local/nearest sailing school and talk to them. We got lots of advice when we started out 8 years ago. If you pick things up fast then you can easily get from novice to Day Skipper in a season.

Answer 5

You don't need any qualification but it would be better to learn first. if you are going to sail across the channel make sure that you have a VHF radio as if you get in trouble you can call the coast guard.
You can get sailing lessions from Alton water in Suffolk www.altonwater.co.uk or in Portsmouth where their is a RYA training center.
For a BASIC sailing course (level 2) it would cost £200 and the course lasts 2 days.

Answer 6

a lot of good advice there!!!! bar for Chris .. a couple of social visits to your local yacht club, could do the trick there are some people just looking for crew to help them and you could help your self too,to do a bit of weekend sailing... experience and safety is Paramount you would probably find that there are some rya courses going on there that you could book your self up with...there is one heck of a lot to learn and take on board ...so get as much knowledge as possible..BEFORE EVEN THINKING ABOUT GOING OUT ON YOUR OWN OR WITH OTHER IN EXPERIENCED PEOPLE get the tuition and happy sailing GOOD LUCK oh yes make sure that the craft is sea worthy and you have flares ,radio,and life jackets PS you do not need any qualification to sail but i think it wouldn't go a miss........ even get the basic sea way code that's a start there are many different publications any way good luck

Answer 7

for sailing around the UK you don't need any qualifications but it is advisable to take some courses( RYA) if you have never sailed before. For crossing the channel you will need a certificate called an ICC. (certificate of competencies )We have a 38ft wooden motor cruiser and we just love the boating life, happy boating in 2008.

Answer 8

You will get all the advice and help you need from the RYA.
Do get instruction from one of their accredited instructors before taking out others in a small boat out into crowded sea lanes, as they will literally depend on you for their lives.

A skippers course, a radio course and a navigation course are the three elements which you will need.

Enjoy!!

Answer 9

The Original Peter G is so very right. Take his advice, the sea can be a cruel thing at times. Treat it with respect.

Answer 10

A couple of grand.