In answer to Mr. A. N. Neale’s letter concerning fatigue whilst dinghy cruising. Dinghy cruising is an athletic occupation. One tends not to stress this point, since one wishes to encourage, and not to discourage potential participants.

The only comparison I can draw is with cycling. Sailing for ten to twelve hours in a GP.14 (single handed) is about the equivalent of cycling 100 miles at a touring pace (12-15 m.p.h.). Naturally the variations possible in wind and sea make this comparison very approximate as would be the distance covered in the boat during this time.

I have had no experience of fells but would not fell-running be better training than fell-walking?

During a good week-end’s sailing, my output in energy is usually more than my intake. Tiredness is experienced for two or three days afterwards but with extremely good feeding I am fully recovered by the following week-end. Whilst on holiday I aim to take one day’s rest in three. I have found that being close-hauled in a sea (moderate, relative to the dinghy) is the most tiring. Two examples come to mind: Queenborough to Ramsgate with a F.3-4 N.E. By the time, after six or seven hours, that I was off Margate, I felt jaded and irritable so I went ashore for a break. Again Rye to Newhaven. The wind backed so that close hauled I could just point at Beachy Head, and a moderate sea was running. It was necessary to go ashore at Eastbourne to have a break. In each case, after an interval of approximately one hour, I was capable of continuing feeling refreshed.

The fact of being close-hauled seems to me to be the relevant factor. Fast reaching in a sea is so exhilarating that tiredness is not noticed.

Mr. Neale’s letter is a very carefully thought out analysis of the subject and I would not disagree with him. Perhaps a few ways of reducing the effects mentioned would be helpful. To conserve energy, sit out in a relaxed, comfortable manner, posterior outside the boat if necessary. Make initial adjustments of weight by bending the trunk at the waist not by moving the whole body. Ease the mainsheet rather than strain outwards. Assuming starboard tack, hold tiller extension with left hand, mainsheet passing through that hand, then across the body and one or two turns round the right hand. Let right arm be pulled against the body so that it can be relaxed. To ease sheet, move right arm across body slipping a turn if necessary. Left hand exerts a check when necessary on mainsheet. The jib sheet is jambed and looped loosely over one thigh or knee, so that it is handy to let fly if required. By suitable reefing, stronger winds are no harder than moderate winds, although it will be more nerve racking because of the sea.

Sun glare does not affect me. The wind can be irritating. Recently I read that the loss of heat by convection from the body, is four times as great for a gale force wind as for still air, temperatures being equal. With modern clothing there is no need to be wet and cold. Finance is liable to be the limiting factor.

Hot liquid food can be carried and must be taken if a hard trip is in progress. Off the wind, dropping the main allows a cup of soup to sit on the thwart in quite rough seas. If going to windward, make inshore and anchor. If one is too far out a sea anchor should suffice but I have never had the need to do this. Keep nibbling chocolate, nuts, apples and biscuits.

Nervous tension is a problem but can be reduced by self-discipline and a philosophical outlook.

I have always contended that dinghy cruising is a passing phase. Three to four years and one either graduates to a cruiser or retires married. There are exceptions, Frank Dye and Eric Coleman are, I believe in their eighth year and A. G. Earl must exceed this. Mr. Neale is now graduating and good luck to him. I’m sure he will be a better seaman for his apprenticeship in dinghies.

It is vital for the Association that people who have gained experience the hard way remain with us so that newcomers can benefit from their knowledge and we hope that they will benefit from the camaraderie. Mr. Neale does not specify his type of dinghy but I feel that 45 is a little elderly for cruising single handed in a 13ft. light boat. I am 36 and do not expect to have the inclination or ability to sail for fourteen hours in a dinghy, ten years hence.

Of course sailing single handed is harder than with a crew. A friend and I used to take one hour watches on the helm and I found this an ideal and far less tiring arrangement.

As to the type of dinghy, in one sentence:- more weight, less sail, less effort and less fun. Yours sincerely, Alec Barge