ONBOARD
CHARTER LAKE DISTRICT SAILING Swallows for a day
Dan Houston hired a traditional dinghy on Ullswater to give the family a taste of those Arthur Ransome adventures
T 64
owing a boat to the Lake District from anywhere like the South of England can be quite an undertaking... so it’s great to be able to charter a dinghy if, say, you only want to sail for a day or so. The English lakes, with their unspoilt
rural setting in the mountains of Cumbria, offer some great sailing, with spectacular views in all directions and the interesting challenge of wind shifts and williwaws as you sail past truncated valleys or mountain slopes – though the weather can change very quickly here. And what better way to enjoy it than with a traditional boat? For 25 years now the Sailing Centre at Glenridding, nestled at the head of Ullswater, has hired out Lune Whammels – seaworthy coastal boats built by Character Boats in St Annes, Lancashire. They are ideal boats for a family day out with plenty of room for a picnic and super-stable in the squalls that might barrel down the lake. Prices start at £35 an hour but this does not really give
“They are ideal
boats, with plenty of room for a picnic
and super- stable.”
you much time to explore the 7½ mile long lake, with its picturesque islands and secluded bays. A better bet is a day hire which is £110 for a boat like the Whammel. This might let you sail all round the lake, down to Pooley Bridge for lunch, seeing the steamers running by with their decks of people in walking attire, or finding a secluded beach. Swimming is not encouraged on this lake by the way – undercurrents cause drownings every year. It’s a great day out for children especially, who revel in the sense of adventure that a day sailing in settings that rival anything that Arthur Ransome’s famous Swallows and Amazons books can offer.
SAILING CENTRE
Left and Above: A beautiful lake, a safe and roomy boat – enjoy!
CLASSIC BOAT FEBRUARY 2012
The sailing centre has recently improved facilities with a grant, and managing director Pete Meads was happy to be able at last to build proper toilets and showers there. It sits on a little gravel spit of land jutting out into the lake in sheltered waters that would suit beginners. Several types of Character Boats are there but the 17ft 4in (5.3m) Whammel, built in glassfibre with timber trim, wood spars and tan sails, seems the most popular. The centre tends to remove the bowsprits though, which reduces accidents but slightly affects performance. The centre’s brand-new facilities also include classrooms – RYA courses are offered with theory and practical days. Canoes and other dinghies are also available for hire and tuition. The centre also offers storage and berthing for boat owners, which has increased the number of Character Boats on the lake.
www.glenriddingsailing
centre.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)17684 82541
www.characterboats.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1253 727004
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