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At Ulley, new members are always welcome whether experienced or complete beginners. If you’ve thought about sailing but not got round to trying, come and have a chat to us. Just turn up on Wednesday evening, Saturday or Sunday and there’s bound to be someone who can answer your questions. Alternatively you can email questions to .
The rest of this section of our website tells you about learning to sail, joining the club and choosing a boat.
A lifetime. Every sailor continues to learn every time he or she ventures onto the water. But to learn to potter around in a dinghy in a competent manner takes only a few hours. Children are often very quick to learn and soon become competent.
Not if you don't want to. You can cruise around in the sunshine doing your own thing when racing is not under way. Most people feel apprehensive at first about racing, being worried about what appears to be a mass of rules, etc. and don't feel like upsetting the racers. This is not the case. The fast boats will consider you to be a moving mark to be sailed around. A change to the normal sailing circuit! You will be encouraged to race at Ulley; more can be learnt in a few hours of racing about the various aspects of sailing than perhaps in any other way. New racers are helped to understand the vagaries of the sport at Race Training sessions run by an experienced R.Y.A. Race-Training Instructor, usually on Saturdays or on Wednesday evenings.
Buoyancy aids must be worn at all times on or near the water. A safety boat is manned and available at all times that anyone is on the water. There are always hazards where people and water are involved but, providing that you observe the rules - and particularly the rules concerning the safety of children - then sailing is a safe sport.
Remember, the boats are unsinkable, being subject to an annual buoyancy test (although they can and do capsize from time to time). Children need to be water-confident before embarking.
Sailing should only be undertaken in conditions in which you feel confident.
Experienced helms will not venture onto the water if the wind is squally and not consistent unless they have confidence in themselves and their crew.
Definitely Not!
A good way of learning to sail is to crew for an experienced helm. All you initially need is a change of footwear. Contrary to the general belief, most sailors try and keep their boats upright and do not capsize regularly. Life jackets/buoyancy aids can be borrowed and must be worn at all times while on or near the water.
If you have never sailed before, it would be a mistake to dash out and purchase a boat. There are many boats - some two-handed, some single-handed, some small, some large. It is better to try several types, to find which suits you, before buying.
Never buy what appears to be a cheap boat without first seeking advice. Boats are designed to suit different waters and weights of people.
At Ulley you can sail and race any class of dinghy. Racing here is handicap racing rather than fleet racing which means that all classes of boat can sail together in the same race because the finishing times are adjusted after the race for each class of boat. Some boats perform better than others on our water however and we encourage new boats to be from the following classes if members think that they may wish to race.
Click the links for more information:
As much as you want to pay. New boats, like anything new, can be very expensive - little change being forthcoming from£3000+ for most of the smaller dinghies. A new Enterprise or Merlin Rocket can cost£6000. All craft can however be obtained second-hand. Wooden boats can usually be bought cheaply if you are prepared to put time and effort into their restoration. When buying a second-hand boat, always take somebody with you who knows what to look for. Club members will usually be prepared to go with you if you ask.
The best way to find current values is to look at the adverts on the web, try this link: for a good selection www.dinghyshop.co.uk. Make a list of all boats that you are interested in, seek advice, then go and view. Remember that a bargain may seem less attractive if you have to travel a long way to see it. As a general rule, the higher the sail number of the boat, the newer it is and the higher the price that is asked. The condition of the dinghy will, of course, also affect the price.
Berthing is available in the dinghy compound adjacent to the clubhouse and the cost is included in the annual membership fee. Boats can be kept at the Club all the year round. They must be tied down and covered against rain and dust. Many members take their boats home during the winter months to undertake general maintenance, etc..
