Dad's just bought a boat - beginners advice?
Discussion
Short story goes; parents have just moved in to a house next to a creek, on which a little sailboat has been up for sale. Go over there today to find out that my Dad has struck a deal to buy said sailboat. Neither parents have owned a boat before or even sailed. Looked at it today and it does need some work, but to the untrained eye it looks to be OK.
The boat is very similar to this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Yacht-Yachting-W...
Smaller, I think less of a draft, the roof to the below deck area doesn't rise above the deck so high, but has the same small round windows. Just the one main sail, tillered rudder and a small 2 stroke (I think) engine in the centre of the seating area to the rear. Anyone know who might have made this boat?
Secondly, does anyone have any good websites or books to learn the basics of what to look for when buying a boat, basic maintenance, basics of sailing, etc?
The boat is very similar to this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Yacht-Yachting-W...
Smaller, I think less of a draft, the roof to the below deck area doesn't rise above the deck so high, but has the same small round windows. Just the one main sail, tillered rudder and a small 2 stroke (I think) engine in the centre of the seating area to the rear. Anyone know who might have made this boat?
Secondly, does anyone have any good websites or books to learn the basics of what to look for when buying a boat, basic maintenance, basics of sailing, etc?
Basics of sailing - Look for the RYA "Day Skipper Theory" adult education classes locally, as a start. Check the RYA website for practical courses. They should have a VHF radio and know how to use it before they go out. Tide tables. Local charts at least. Best idea might be to go out and crew for other people locally, until they know what they are doing enough to be safe?
Bit late for the "how to buy a boat" book?
ETA - this advice may be a bit OTT if said "creek" is off a non-tidal bit of the Norfolk Broads.
Bit late for the "how to buy a boat" book?
ETA - this advice may be a bit OTT if said "creek" is off a non-tidal bit of the Norfolk Broads.
Edited by deeen on Sunday 16th June 23:51
Haha, I think that's very likely!
The creek is Faversham creek on the North Kent coast, it's tidal.
I know my Dad isn't going to want to start doing exams and stuff, he's going into all this with a very relaxed attitude. However my mate and his family are big sailors and I've been out with them a couple of times this year, so I know it should be a bit more serious than my Dad is being!
Having said that he won't want to venture very far out, I imagine the furthest they'll go is just round the cost to Whitstable - about 10-15 miles around the coast.
But just looking at the various courses that the RYA do (it's something I'd be interested in doing too), so thanks for the advice.
The creek is Faversham creek on the North Kent coast, it's tidal.
I know my Dad isn't going to want to start doing exams and stuff, he's going into all this with a very relaxed attitude. However my mate and his family are big sailors and I've been out with them a couple of times this year, so I know it should be a bit more serious than my Dad is being!
Having said that he won't want to venture very far out, I imagine the furthest they'll go is just round the cost to Whitstable - about 10-15 miles around the coast.
But just looking at the various courses that the RYA do (it's something I'd be interested in doing too), so thanks for the advice.
Need a chart, compass, VHF radio, lifejackets, waterproof case for mobile phone, appropriate clothing, gps, well-maintained engine, working bilge pumps, bucket, tide tables (and it's not just the tidal height you need to know, but the tidal flows), binoculars, flares, knowledge of colregs, and that's before you hoist any sail or tie any knots.
As others have said an RYA Day Skipper course is strongly recommended. Don't need to take the exam if you don't fancy it, but the coursework is very useful.
Someone once said that when venturing out to sea you start with two accounts, one called 'luck' and the other called 'experience'. The first account contains an unknown balance and the latter one is empty. You need to fill it before the first account becomes overdrawn.
As others have said an RYA Day Skipper course is strongly recommended. Don't need to take the exam if you don't fancy it, but the coursework is very useful.
Someone once said that when venturing out to sea you start with two accounts, one called 'luck' and the other called 'experience'. The first account contains an unknown balance and the latter one is empty. You need to fill it before the first account becomes overdrawn.
The Thames estuary is a great place to sail. There are so many interesting places to visit within an easy days sail. The Blackwater and Colne to the north are very nice places to sail. That said, it can be a challenge and it is not a place to take chances - there are plenty of ways to come unstuck. It is a major shipping route and he will need to know what to do (and what not to do) around large vessels. There are tons of sandbanks and strong tides, and despite the lack of water in most if it, when the weather turns bad it can be an extremely unpleasant place.
A short course on chart reading and navigation such as the RYA Day Skipper will be very worthwhile. Tidal flows in the estuary are strong, and getting it wrong can make an easy sail into a long slog bashing into a foul tide. If he learns to sail there, then most other places will seem simple by comparison.
A short course on chart reading and navigation such as the RYA Day Skipper will be very worthwhile. Tidal flows in the estuary are strong, and getting it wrong can make an easy sail into a long slog bashing into a foul tide. If he learns to sail there, then most other places will seem simple by comparison.
I'd say doing your day skipper qualification will make stuff so much easier and less scary. Also, knowing how to use a radio and read a chart means you are at less risk to yourself and others, regardless of how little distance you are going.
Faversham creek is a great spot to sail from, but it is pretty tidal so you have to be pretty precise with leaving and arriving if you want to avoid running aground!
Faversham creek is a great spot to sail from, but it is pretty tidal so you have to be pretty precise with leaving and arriving if you want to avoid running aground!
OK, advice heeded, I'll talk to him later about taking the RYA course.
Yea, we realised just how tidal it was yesterday when we were waiting for the tide to come in, at high tide yesterday the boat next to us still couldn't get off mud. I guess with some high tides the window to leave/come in would be very narrow!
As for the condition of the boat, at high tide yesterday we did notice a couple of slats of wood that allowed water to seep in - I believe a leaking boat is generally a bad thing! But just how bad is it? Is it a case of all boats leak a little bit, or is it a case of we need to get it dry docked immediately to sort it out?
Yea, we realised just how tidal it was yesterday when we were waiting for the tide to come in, at high tide yesterday the boat next to us still couldn't get off mud. I guess with some high tides the window to leave/come in would be very narrow!
As for the condition of the boat, at high tide yesterday we did notice a couple of slats of wood that allowed water to seep in - I believe a leaking boat is generally a bad thing! But just how bad is it? Is it a case of all boats leak a little bit, or is it a case of we need to get it dry docked immediately to sort it out?
Yesterday was two days before neaps, so even at 'high water' there wouldn't be much wet stuff in Faversham Creek.
I have a boat 'round the corner' on the Medway, so I know the area quite well, though I've never gone up Faversham Creek (and would be concerned about doing so, even with my modest 1.3m draught!)
The good thing about sailing round here is that it's generally all mud, so if you do ground, you won't damage anything but your pride. Faversham Creek opens onto the Swale, which is a lovely bit of (mostly) sheltered river, wide enough to let a beginner practice with all the ropey and flappy bits in relative safety!
The Medway can be reached from the Swale via the 'inland' route, but unless your dad's boat can step its mast, he'll have to call up the bridge operator to get the rail bridge lifted.
I can't help much with the leaking issue I'm afraid, other than to say 'it's a wooden boat, what do you expect?!'
As others have said though, wooden boats, while beautiful, are largely an exercise in carpentry, rather than sailing.
I have a boat 'round the corner' on the Medway, so I know the area quite well, though I've never gone up Faversham Creek (and would be concerned about doing so, even with my modest 1.3m draught!)
The good thing about sailing round here is that it's generally all mud, so if you do ground, you won't damage anything but your pride. Faversham Creek opens onto the Swale, which is a lovely bit of (mostly) sheltered river, wide enough to let a beginner practice with all the ropey and flappy bits in relative safety!
The Medway can be reached from the Swale via the 'inland' route, but unless your dad's boat can step its mast, he'll have to call up the bridge operator to get the rail bridge lifted.
I can't help much with the leaking issue I'm afraid, other than to say 'it's a wooden boat, what do you expect?!'
As others have said though, wooden boats, while beautiful, are largely an exercise in carpentry, rather than sailing.
The boat should be watertight. It's impossible to say whether the boat is worth anything and what it would cost to put right unless you have it looked over either by a marine surveyor or a boatbuilder or a knowledgeable yottie. Whether it's worth doing this depends on how much your dad is intending to pay for it. If it's a few grand, then a few hundred quid on a surveyor to avoid a hefty repair bill might be a good investment. I'd expect they would prefer to see the boat hauled out so they could have a good look.
All good advice above for Faversham with the exception of the most important bit of equipment. A pair of wellies so you can walk to the nearest pub when you dry out. In choosing this equipment from your friendly chandler you may want to consider the leg / chest length as more important than comfort. 
MOTORVATOR said:
All good advice above for Faversham with the exception of the most important bit of equipment. A pair of wellies so you can walk to the nearest pub when you dry out. In choosing this equipment from your friendly chandler you may want to consider the leg / chest length as more important than comfort.
Oh and decent pub recommendations! Depending on which part of the creek you are moored on, the Shipwrights Arms at Hollow Shore is very boat friendly (but they have odd opening hours), the Anchor on Abbey Street is good and the Phoenix is good too! I assume by 'dry out' you mean get stuck on the mud before making it home/out to sea and therefore have to wait many hours for the tide to come in again?
I certainly know about the problems of the tides and shallow waters in this area. Last month I was fortunate enough to go out with my friend on a 30-35' sailboat, on which we went from Medway Yacht club, down to Queenborough and back. Plenty learnt that weekend, including getting out of the way of big commercial vessels and ferries, steering clear of the shallow waters (especially on that tight bend on the way into Queenborough) and the basics of sails and steering!
I certainly know about the problems of the tides and shallow waters in this area. Last month I was fortunate enough to go out with my friend on a 30-35' sailboat, on which we went from Medway Yacht club, down to Queenborough and back. Plenty learnt that weekend, including getting out of the way of big commercial vessels and ferries, steering clear of the shallow waters (especially on that tight bend on the way into Queenborough) and the basics of sails and steering!
I do fear this may have been an expensive impulse buy by your father. Most people wouldn't touch a wooden boat with a long boathook, unless they had the skills, time and inclination to spend 11 months out of 12 working on her.
By the way, if he just wants a nice little day sailor, with shallow(ish) draft for a bit of mucking about on the river, I'm selling a fantastic little Carina 20 (built in 1986, but in great condition, and no wood!) for a bargain price
By the way, if he just wants a nice little day sailor, with shallow(ish) draft for a bit of mucking about on the river, I'm selling a fantastic little Carina 20 (built in 1986, but in great condition, and no wood!) for a bargain price
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