Sailing - specifically Norfolk broads

[QuebecBagnet]

After some advice. I sailed as a kid with the school sailing club. Not sailed since and that was 30 years ago. I’m about to do my RYA lvl 1 and 2. All of which will be at a lake near home.

once ive Done my lvl 1 and 2 would I be competent enough to hire a small dinghy in the Norfolk broads? Or do I need to be better for river sailing/get some local knowledge? If so would hiring a boat and a skipper for two hours on the first day be enough?

Anyone?

Most hire sailing boats are not dinghies on Broads. They are either small yachts with cabins or open boats with keels which might be 20ft long called half deckers.

If you’re looking at a 2 hr skippered sail are you looking at Hunters yard? Most of the boatyards want sailing experience and will hire to what they call very experienced dinghy sailors or yacht sailors. After a 2 hr skippered sail they will be able to assess you….doesn’t help if you want to book, but phoning and talking through your experience will tell them if you’re suitable…or any other boatyard.

The thing with yachts without engines is you have to sail in and out of moorings, sometimes with the wind helping or making it more difficult, without damaging the boat. There are tides although usually not strong. The rivers wind a lot so you need to be able to sail on all points of sailing and respond to the wind if you’re to get anywhere…but of course you don’t have to go far if you don’t want.

Who are you going with and are they a sailor? Most boats need 2 people to sail them.

Agree you should phone some hire yards & talk thru what they offer. Mostly cruisers around here, increasingly electric.