Newbie to sailing

[chee]

Hello,

I am relatively new to sailing (just taken RYA level 1). I am interested in the British Moth and was wondering if this boat is suitable for someone of my inexperience.

If it is suitable and I was interested in purchasing one from the second hand sale forum - How do I get about getting to my club if they do not come with trolleys/ trailers and also I don't have a tow bar on my car.

Chee

[New Boy]

Hi
Guess that depends where you are. suggest you goto the club you intend joining. Chat with them at see if they have a club trailer and then worry about the tow bar. You may be able to get the boat delivered built into the price if not to far.
Where are you and maybe able to help.
New Boy

[chee]

Thanks New Boy. I guess I'll have to fit a tow bar sooner or later if I'm going to really get into this sailing lark!

Hopefully I'll be based at the South Cerney Sailing club, once my application goes through.

Chee ;D

[Olly758]

Chee,

Welcome! Are there other moths at South Cerney? If not how did you get to hear of the class?

Olly

[chee]

Olly758,

Thanks! I came across the class by accident as I was looking for a singlehander, but did not know which ones were singlehanders/ double handers. So I just looked all the different classes that were listed on the Apolloduck website. As soon as I saw the Moth I was kind of hooked. There's just something about it that made me think "I want one of those!", even though I had not intended to buy two boats (Other one is a RS Vision that is on order - for family sailing/ racing with wife).

I'm not sure if there are any other Moths at South Cerney, but I believe there maybe one at Whitefriars, which is not far from SCSC.

Chee ;D

[Olly758]

I think you could be right about one at Whitefriars.

It is a cracking boat and you made a good choice!Other than Apolloduck have you checked the for sale section on this forum? Some good boats on there.

[Pie-eyed]

Hi Chee,
There used to be one a Whitefriars, owned by Rupert Whelan (Commodore and Boat Repairer) he sold it earlier this year and i'm not sure if he has replaced it yet, though he has been on the look out...
We are based at Frampton-on-Severn only 20 miles away from SCSC where we have 20 BM's, 2 of which are on the market, if you would like to know more about BM's in general give Roger a call 07970 626862
Some nice boats available at the moment.
Regards
Laura

[BMBA Admin]

Hi Chee,

If, as you say, you "....saw the Moth I was kind of hooked. There's just something about it that made me think 'I want one of those!'" then I'm afraid you're already a lost cause. There is no cure.

My honest, semi-newbie, opinion is that a British Moth as a first boat is a bit of a challenge, but well, well worth it. I first got in one a year ago after spending the year previous learning to sail in a Mirror, and it has been, suffice to say, an entertaining and often amusing journey, but extremely rewarding.

Really couldn't recomend it enough, though it helps if you don't mind getting wet occasionally At least if you're as light-weight and as clumsey as me!

If you're looking to join at South Cerney, then I'm guessing you're reasonably local to us at Frampton. If you fancy a trip out, then I'm sure we could find you a boat to have a go in just to prove to yourself the futility of trying to resist. This time of year the only practical time is probably at the weekends, but there's still a good few of them left between now and the New Year.

[chee]

I am really impressed with the enthusiam and the helpfulness of the people who have responded to my plight!.

Thankyou Laura and Bill for the heads up regarding Frampton. I'll check my diary with the wife to see if I can "escape" anytime this side of Christmas.

I have checked out the boats for sale on this site, but thought I'd better ask for advice first, hence posting question on this forum.

Chee

[New Boy]

Hi again
I too sail at Frampton and have a couple of Moths. You are welcome to try one of them.
Depending on the sort of club you want to join I would have to say South Cerney is a little on the elitist side for me. Whitefriars is a friendly club with great water and Frampton is a very nice club with great people and with Moths on the water every weekend.
Welcome to Moth world
New Boy

[chee]

New Boy,

Thanks for the offer for a trial on a Moth. I might take you up, depending on the missus.

As for South Cerney, it was club that was recommended to me as being a friendly club. I did look into Whitefriars and was unsure which to join before the recommendation.

I live in Cheltenham, so Cirencester was the nearest location with big lakes.

CHee ;D

[chee]

Just did a comparison regarding distance. It appears tha Frampton is closer to Cheltenham at 19.23 miles as opposed to South Cerney at 27.31 miles!!!!

mmmmmm. Interesting, might have to do a rethink!!

[Pie-eyed]

Hi Chee,
Its never that straight forward... you would need to check if an RS Vision would be allowed at Frampton... that said I think a new family joined this year with a brand new plastic fantastic so they could learn how to sail it in a safe place, before getting more adventurous ( only seen out once, think it was a Vision)?...you wouldn't be allowed to race it though as the lake just isn't big enough to encourage jousting.
Laura

[andrewpm]

Chee,

Yes, a British Moth is suitable for sailors with limited experience, the boat has fewer vices than several other boats aimed at the novice sailor. The British Moth certainly has something distinctive about it that gets it noticed and you are not the first to have a desire to get one. There is no known cure !

I'd recommend visiting Frampton or any other Moth club so that you can see the various types of boat available and also have a chat to the sailors. Unfortunately, this time of year, many of the boats are now in hibernation, but a few can still be seen at the club. There are plenty of British Moth owners who would be happy to offer advice on which of the currently available boats would be most suitable for you.

In my view, South Cerney is a friendly club with a competitive racing fleet and excellent Cadet fleet for their junior sailors. But, sadly they don't have any British Moths. I think Frampton may be a little small for getting the most from the performance of a Vision, but as Laura suggests it is a safe place to get used to the boat, though there may be some club rules that put restrictions on the use of the spinnaker.

[chee]

Andrew,

Many thanks for the advice. I've received notofication via email from SCSC that my application has been approved, subject to me paying the fees. So the question of which club is no longer an issue.

I would welcome advice as to which of the Moths that are currently for sale would be suitable (I do seem a bit partial to the ones with a shiny wood top? Not sure if this is the correct term for this part of the dinghy) It was the picture at the main page of the website which drew my attention to the "beauty" of the boat.

Chee