| Ever considered taking up sailing but thought you | | | | season usually runs from late March - December and |
| couldn't afford it? Think again. There has never been a | | | | many people sail on lakes during the winter months but |
| wider choice of craft to sail - from 50ft luxury yachts | | | | you will need a dry suit! |
| costing over £200,000 new to used dinghy's | | | | While you may not be able to afford a shiny new 50 |
| which would set you back £200-300. Even | | | | footer with all the mod cons there are plenty of |
| having a poor credit history need not exclude you | | | | alternatives to get you out on the water. If you like the |
| from enjoying the benefits of this wonderful sport. | | | | idea of owning a yacht there are plenty of used boats |
| Many people have been put off by the stereotypical | | | | on the market - a Moody 29 yacht built in the early |
| image of a yacht club being run by and for the upper | | | | 1980's will cost about £24,000. How about |
| classes, but as with other historically "elitist" sports such | | | | dinghy sailing? A brand new Laser dinghy measuring |
| as tennis and golf things are changing fast. Many clubs | | | | about 4 metres will set you back about £3,500. |
| offer very reasonable membership rates - typically a | | | | A used Laser can be picked up for a few hundred |
| couple of hundred pounds a year for unlimited sailing | | | | pounds. |
| and club racing. It's a great way to meet new people, | | | | Other essential costs include insurance cover for |
| get fit and enjoy some healthy competition. Want to | | | | damage to your boat and more importantly to anyone |
| get the kids off that X-box you bought them for | | | | else's! For a Laser it is less than £100 per year |
| Christmas? The answer could be the Optimist sailing | | | | and includes 3rd party liability if you cause injury to |
| dinghy - at just over 2 metres long and designed for | | | | another party - essential for racing. New sails every |
| children they can be picked up for a couple of hundred | | | | couple of years will keep you competitive when racing |
| pounds, hold their value and can be transported on the | | | | - and for a Laser these cost about £400. If you |
| roof of your car. "A part for an Opti, which is generally | | | | are a novice then reasonably priced RYA courses are |
| pretty specific to an Opti, is incredibly inexpensive | | | | available at many clubs and the good news is that all |
| when you compare it to a fitting that goes on a similar | | | | these costs can be spread out with a low cost loan - |
| junior boat' noted OziOpti's Steve Bond....and over 70% | | | | even if you have a bad credit history. |
| of the sailors at the last Olympics learned to race in an | | | | What are you waiting for? Get out on the water! |
| Optimist a good incentive for London 2012! The | | | | |