Hi Rob, thanks for taking part in in this series of Q&A’s where club members tell us a bit more about themselves and their sailing experiences.
How old were you when you first learnt to sail and what kind of dinghy did you sail at the time?
Other than a couple of outings on Toppers with friends I did very little sailing as a child. My first proper introduction to sailing was on leaving the Army (aged 30) I signed up for the ‘Round Britain and Ireland Race’ organised by Challenge on their 72’s. It was great fun and involved a few training weekends followed by the race which we completed in 12 days. From that point on I was hooked but soon realised how little I knew about sailing other than changing sails and grinding winches!
Who taught you to sail?
Having had a heavy baptism into sailing via Challenge, on my return, Laura and I booked ourselves in to do our RYA 1 & 2 at North Sands Sailing School in Salcombe. A wonderful week on a Wayfarer learning how to sail in the Salcombe Estuary.
How old are you now (approximately, we won’t tell) and what is your job?
I’m now 50 and split my time between a property business and the vineyard at Colemere.
What kind of boat do you currently sail and why did you choose it?
I keep two sailing dinghies at Colemere, a Wayfarer and a Gull, both similar in design although the Gull is a lot lighter which I thought would suit the girls better. I also have a Contessa 32 that I keep on the South Coast at Gosport. The Contessa 32, “Colemere” is mainly raced offshore, double handed and has taken part in the Fastnet in 2021 and the AZAB in 2023. Apart from competing in Round the Island Race this year it’s been mainly used for cruising in the Solent with Laura and family. In addition, I enjoyed my first ‘solo sail’ a few weeks ago for 3 days.
Are there any other designs of dinghy that you’d like to try?
I’m always happy to sail with others and try different dinghies but my love is for the Wayfarer and what she is capable of. I’ve sailed around the Isle of Wight a couple of times and lived aboard one for a week off the West Coast of Scotland with the Wayfarer Association. I’m now on the Wayfarer Committee and in the process of restoring a “Woody” as they have more room under the thwarts for sleeping on.
There are other sailing clubs around, why did you choose Colemere and how long have you been a member?
We’ve been members on and off for 20 years! Colemere is the obvious choice due to its proximity as we live in the village. Sadly, with the ages of the girls and a busy work/life balance, we have very little time (especially weekends), so very little sailing has taken place this year. It’s a fantastic club and even if I’m not sailing, I enjoy seeing the boats out on the Mere. In the future, I know we will have more time and therefore look forward to spending more time out on the water.
What kinds of sailing conditions do you most enjoy?
Windier the better!
Is there a particular moment that is most memorable about your time at Colemere?
Sailing in an Enterprise many years ago that I capsized with a friend and then realised that the front buoyancy compartment was not buoyant!!
If you could sail anywhere in the World (dinghies or bigger boats), where would you most like to go?
We’ve just returned from our first Bareboat Charter in Corfu that I’m pleased to say all the family enjoyed too! I’d like to explore the West Coast of Scotland a little more on the Wayfarer and have a tentative plan to take part in the ARC in 2029 on a bigger boat!
Is there anyone you would really like to meet who could coach you to improve your sailing techniques? (Don’t say the Commodore just because he’s brilliant!)
I think anyone at the Club could coach me on dinghy techniques around the cans! I’m really not very good so any advice is welcome 🙂
Assuming you love sailing, what do you love about it?
The wind is free! I love the fact that you can get from A to B for free (relatively) under the power of wind. It’s a great sport whether you are racing or cruising, single-handed or fully crewed. Both on and off the water there really is nothing like it!
Fearless sailor, Rob, with his girls, planting their very first grapevine at Colemere Vineyard back in 2014.