Hey guys,

Im 21 and moved recently to the northern beaches (Avalon). Thought it would be pretty cool to just get into sailing casually. Had a great time back on school camp and then on hamilton island recently with the catamarans.

Whats the best way to go about doing it casually? I have no sailing knowledge really and i have no intention of doing any racing or joining a club. I was looking at a Heron or even one of the 14ft catamaran. If i bought one, i would need to have it and a trailer, which probably cant happen as i have nowhere to store it. Is there places around here where if i buy one, i can pay a rental fee and its stored right on the water? Or is there some place that just rents out little sailing boats/catamarans and i can just pay for the day and head out?

Any help would be great, Cheers.

Why don't you find a club you like. not all clubs are hell bent on racing. You will probably find that the clubs that are push push push on racing will be located in the richer areas while clubs that have members who want to just have fun and laugh will be in your poorer areas for example. joining a club would be the easiest way to learn as you'l have coaches and other people supporting you. at the end of the day no one is forcing you to race, you can always just do training and go out for a laugh.

Hey thats pretty reasonable prices.Go to a club that has boats that you want to sail and ask them if they will take you for a sail.Only cheap way into sailing.And remember sailing is not a cheap sport.But is worth every cent. Maybe kiting or pole boarding is for you?=storage costs.

Hi,
I am a member and instruct at a club at Pittwater.Allsail (the club) caters for all sorts.If you want to race,they race (they will take you in the Sydney-to Hobart if you want) or just the social twilights.Or just come and cruise around Pittwater.
(And once a year a group heads off overseas to cruise)
There are fees but they are pretty reasonable.I think its about $150 a month and you can sail Friday Sat/Sun/Mon.

Hi Murtraz,
Most sailing clubs, as you have discovered, are built around racing because the limited storage facilities that they have are best utilised by people who race and will use their boats almost every week. Then they develop training programmes for kids so that new blood is channeled into the senior ranks and the club doesn't die of old age.

If you just want to rent a cat or dinghy for the occasional sail there are no options on Pittwater that I am aware of. There are several places to rent kayaks and to charter cruising yachts and large catamarans but the latter are expensive and you will need to demonstrate your skill and experience before you can charter.

Another option if you don't have a trailer might be to inquire about storing a durable sailing dinghy like a Walker Bay 10 (www.walkerbay.com) in one of the Council controlled dinghy storage racks at Bayview.

Allsail, as recommended earlier in this forum, is a good option for casual sailors but as far as I know the smallest boat they have is a J24 keelboat.

But there is another scheme that you might find appealing called the Hobie Wave Program. It is run by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club at Newport in conjunction with Palm Beach Sailing Club - the home to Hobie Cat racing on Pittwater. This scheme, uses the 12' Hobie Wave catamarans which are conveniently stored on the hardstand at RPAYC and used for training, fun days and racing. There are details at https://sailingsite.com.au/Launch.html and the best contact for information about the program is Andrew Nelson at [email protected]

I hope that one of these ideas will work for you and get you out on the water.

Murtraz

Kitesurfing will give you the best of all worlds, easy to learn, cheap these days for secondhand good gear if less than 2 yrs old, enjoy learning to read the wind, water and if you wish waves.

All the gear fits in the boot of a car.

You can go with friends/meet other kiters or just go alone - but only if it safe.

You will see kiting from Long Reef to Palm Beach in your area or come up here to Lake Macquarie for a lot more kiting options.

OH by the way just selling my 2010 kites as new ones have arrived. I get my kites from the Griffin Kite designer who lives in your area, you will see Chris at local beaches when its windy and he will give you a bit of an introduction.

Give it all a go and see what you end up liking, I belong to the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club and there is a range of sailing options there to suit any interested person.