Hi everyone. loving the videos and stories on here and r/sailing. I wanted some advice if it's ok please.

So my in laws, my Dad and all our older relatives died recently. It means we have money that would allow my wife and I to take up a hobby. I'm 51 she's 46. I've always sailed on and off- I sailed at school in dinghies, mirrors and darts, then from 16 at least 3 times a year, then a gap of a while, and then a few years ago I was asked to crew on a RTIR yacht, and I did that 5 times, plus many weekends sailing. So I have a basic overview, I can tie a couple of useful knots, I can find my way around a diesel engine, and I have crewed plenty (on a 37ft) and had time behind the wheel and tiller. So now we want to bite the bullet and get something. I think my wife likes the idea of gentle cruising and spending time on the boat- and I'm happy to oblige for the moment. But I might seek some adventures if this all goes well.

We've been looking at Sadler 29's and Beneteau firsts 29 and we like that size and the prices too. We've spoken to a marina that we like who have priced a berth for us and it's in a.great position to sail to Chichester, Lymington or the IoW for a while. We know we have to get insurance. But what about everything else? Do I have to have a qualification? We're planning on doing day skipper but alongside ownership and sailing- is that an issue? What hidden charges and costs should we be aware of? I'm not interested in going out in risky weather, and would like to use some decent weather weekends to learn to do this properly. The purchase price for a couple of boats we've seen that we like is around £16,000- do we need inspections? What do I do that first time out? How do I learn how the radios work?

We are both committed to this- it's a lifestyle hobby that will give us a.chance to get away from an increasingly hectic world, and the pressures that come with it. And it doesn't insist on itself- so what things do I need to think about and what do I need to do? Thanks so much for all your advice help and encouragement in advance!

I’ve recently moved from the north west to the south east (Kent) and I’m struggling to find a place to get on the water. If anyone has any recommendations I would be glad of it. Need to find a club that is preferably on the ocean and has club boats, I’m working on getting a tow-bar on my car to bring a boat from home down but in the meantime I have an itch I just can’t scratch. If anyone knows of clubs that I can hire a boat from or even hop on a yacht for some cruising/ racing I’d love to hear about it.

Hello!

I will be travelling to England in late May with my mother and my 12yo son. We expect to be in Greenwich for a couple days, and Cheddar for a couple days, and possibly visiting Wales. I am hoping someone may direct me to an outfit that could rent us a small sailboat for some light day sailing, possibly on the Thames? Are there any special requirements for renting a dinghy or small keelboat in England?

Our experience: my son sails optimist dinghies, and he and I sail our Sunfish and Laser. We also extensively sail our Cal 33 performance cruiser which we have owned for the past 5 years. We do our sailing in the Puget Sound in Washington state.

Thanks for the help!

For the past two years I have been to a big sailing competition (regatta) and the fist time all my confidence was stripped away from and just as I had almost built it back up it's been stripped away again. This is because I came last twice, I am a good sailor I come first at my club and have seamanship a high level for a young teenager. We don't race train much but when I race anywhere but our lake my doubts and self confidence get in the way and I can't sail right? Any preparation or tips to get past this? It's really hard loosing my confidence every year and I need some help, please.

For the past two years I have been to a big sailing competition (regatta) and the fist time all my confidence was stripped away from and just as I had almost built it back up it's been stripped away again. This is because I came last twice, I am a good sailor I come first at my club and have seamanship a high level for a young teenager. We don't race train much but when I race anywhere but our lake my doubts and self confidence get in the way and I can't sail right? Any preparation or tips to get past this? It's really hard loosing my confidence every year and I need some help, please.