Newbie

[iain ross]

Hi all, on this sparsely populated web forum. Scale isn't everything.

I fly a microlight but was at sea for umpteen years (and for my sins a class 1 marine engineer) and find, from time to time, an urge to set upon the water. I've done a little motor cruising in hired / friends boats but have no experience of yachting though have friends who would teach me the basics (though I'm aware of the difficulties encumbent in this approach!)

I'm tempted by a yacht that's available to me by straight swap for my lovely wee plane and wonder if anyone out there knows of the type / suitability for family cruises (meaning me and my one or two children aged 5 and 8 - my wife's already bailed out of this scheme!) and a suitable / reasonably priced training package that would get me to a degree of competence suitable for weekending around the scottish east coast / firth of forth.

The yacht's a Gib Sea 26' x 8'10", 4 berth fin keel racing model, conditions apparently very good and looks tidy, though I will have it inspected by those more knowledgeable in this field than I. Is there a market for this kind of vessel ?

Storage is an issue - I'm a busy guy (who isn't?) and have only limited opportunity to play with it. Anyone know of any good areas for a mooring in the western Forth ? Are there commercial moorings at reasonable cost ?
Is there a problem with laying your own mooring ?

ps. Nick - not wishing you to get a big head, but your site was one of those that got me into flying and imagine my surprise when I found you were also into this! I guess that the frustrations of flying (weather, poncy regulation, expense, time required vs. time in the air etc.,etc) has got the better of me just now but I would be sad to leave it.


Sorry for the long post, guys but please feel free to answer in part or full or whatever.

[Telo]

suitable for weekending around the scottish east coast / firth of forth.... The yacht's a Gib Sea 26' x 8'10", 4 berth fin keel racing model?.

Trouble is the ports are all a bit shallow or drying - bilge keelers seem more popular on the Forth. West really is best.

Anyone know of any good areas for a mooring in the western Forth ?.

You could try the new Stirling Marina: