uk rules and regulations??

heloa.
im going to be s-ai-ling in the newquay area once i receive my ai and trolley. my query relates to any rules, regs or laws regarding sailing in the uk which i should be aware of. do i have to get insurance to sail? do i need to carry anything onboard by law?

im sure a lot of you uk ai guys are well versed in the rules of the road, so to speak. please share your knowledge and experiences in this regard.

many thanks

g

I'm not sure about the UK, but if I had any questions about that here across the pond, I'd check with the local harbor master or coast guard, they would know.

Seeing how it us the UK, you may need some custard provisions, or something

good luck!

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Blair T

I love these calm moments before the storm, it reminds me of Beethoven...


'02 Hobie Tiger USA 1152

Welcome to the madhouse!

I don't know how much experience you have so excuse me if I am teaching my gran to suck eggs!

You should have insurance (I use Noble Marine.com) and you will need to pay harbour duties where you sail. Depending on where you are sailing and conditions, I would recommend carrying a small anchor. Have a good length of line (20') that can be used to tow you in if needed or if you tow someone else or to extend the anchor line etc. I carry a spare rudder pin, plastic shear bolts for the Akas and a selection of bits of rope, shackles and odds & sods to get me out of trouble. I also make up elastic leashes for everything so it doesn't get washed overboard, The AI spends a lot of time punching through waves rather than over them and can be a very wet experience! As you will probably be soaking wet, make sure you have plenty of clothing layers to add if it turns cold and water to drink (I always manage to get sea water in my mouth). There are lots of tips on here to improve the AI.
If you are off shore on your own, I would recommend a radio or at least a phone with the coastguard number pre loaded and some flares. If you are new to the area, best bet is to talk to Harbour masters office, fisherman and other local boaters and find out if there are any quirks with the tides or dangerous areas to keep an eye out for.

I frequently venture out into the Solent in reasonable waves maybe up to 5-6' and winds up to 15-20 knots. If your AI is well maintained and sorted, it is quite capable in these conditions, but it is probably at the edge of it safe operating envelope and needs to be sailed thoughtfully.

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Either lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way!

Harbour fees for a kayak in the UK? They can see you coming! Unless its an english thing? I don't think there are any launching fees in Scotland. Loch Lomond may be about start charging but that's to control the muppets.

I don't believe insurance is compulsory either. If you are racing and keeping your boat at a sailing club or it's a yacht then fair do's but for a wee kayak I wouldnae bother.

A Donation to the RNLI would be a much more sensible use of your "premium"

Our weather and sea conditions change really quick.

We have to pay harbour dues in Chichester Harbour, but this may be only applicable here
http://www.conservancy.co.uk/page/Harbour-Dues/319/

The AI is is quite sizable when on the water and will always catch the eye of the Harbour Master.

Best check where you are sailing.

With regards to insurance, it is compulsory if I want to sail it from my sailing club and also it lives outside, so I have mine insured anyway.
The other consideration is that it can get quite a lick on and isn't the quickest turning thing on water. In the event of a collision, it would probably make a mess of some of the lightweight racing dinghies etc and they cost an arm and a leg! The racers at my club (several world & olympic champions amongst them) would not accept a repair to their hull, they would be after a replacement.
For the £80 quid or so it costs, I would rather have the peace of mind.

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Either lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way!

Insurance! of course, the AI could attract the attention of one of the local neds, if they borrow your AI and ram your craft into another then you could be having to fork out.
Check out this site for the UK rules of the road, http://www.rya.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx . If you are from the USA you will notice that not only do we here in the UK drive on the proper side of the road (highway) but our port markers are where they should be as well. So when your sailing into a channel towards land over here keep the red buoy on the port side, green on the right, keep as close to the mark as possible because those big ships might not see you, better still get yourself a chart and see how close you can get to shore without hitting a submerged rock.