So you know your mizzen from your bowsprit, your shackle from your swizzlestick and its time to get more time out on the water. There are a few ways to do this:
You may already have a dinghy of your own or be in the market for one. There is a wide second-hand market for dinghies, but before you buy you need to consider if you want a single-hander or something a little larger that will take a crew. Boats also come with different handling capabilities and speeds (a good indicator is the Portsmouth Yard Stick (look for the PN list in the table) - the lower the number, the faster the boat. A good way to get a clearer picture is come up to the club sometime and have a chat with a friendly sailor, or leave a note on the bulletin board.