Go Back   Cruiser Log World Cruising & Sailing Forums > Cruising Forums > General Cruising Forum
Cruiser Wiki Click Here to Login

Join Cruiser Log Today

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-04-2009, 05:17 PM   #1
Ensign
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12
Default

I haven't been on this forum since last year and I forgot all the helpful advices that was given the last time I was here. I decided to open this topic and find out which is the best way to learn how to sail.

Please tell us of your learning experiences and if possible, offer us some helpful advices.
__________________

__________________
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,

And the hunter home from the hill.

Robert Louis Stevenson
CuriousDeafDude is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2009, 04:08 PM   #2
Moderator
 
redbopeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Home Port: Washington DC
Vessel Name: SV Mahdee
Posts: 3,236
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CuriousDeafDude View Post
I haven't been on this forum since last year and I forgot all the helpful advices that was given the last time I was here. I decided to open this topic and find out which is the best way to learn how to sail.

Please tell us of your learning experiences and if possible, offer us some helpful advices.
Helpful advice:

1. Take lessons, there are many sailing schools/sailing training programs around the world.

2. If you're too cash-short to do that, volunteer to crew for local beer can races, or other events at sailing clubs/yacht clubs.

3. If in US, take the Power Squadron/Boat US or USCG Aux boating safety classes and Navigation classes.

Good luck in your learning experiences.

You can do a search of the Cruiser Log website and find many, many people taking about different aspects of their sailing experiences.

Fair winds,
__________________

__________________
"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

What we're doing - The sailing life aboard and the Schooner Chandlery.

redbopeep is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2009, 04:12 PM   #3
Ensign
 
nauticalnancy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 26
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by redbopeep View Post
Helpful advice:

1. Take lessons, there are many sailing schools/sailing training programs around the world.

2. If you're too cash-short to do that, volunteer to crew for local beer can races, or other events at sailing clubs/yacht clubs.

3. If in US, take the Power Squadron/Boat US or USCG Aux boating safety classes and Navigation classes.

Good luck in your learning experiences.

You can do a search of the Cruiser Log website and find many, many people taking about different aspects of their sailing experiences.

Fair winds,
I agree completely with one exception. Don't consider 1 or 2 but 1 And 2. Both will give you great but different experiences. Both very valuable.

Here in Canada we also have Power Squardron known as Canadian Power and Sail Squardron. I took courses with them last winter. I decided I had been hiding behind my husband's skills long enough. Guess what? I know way more than I thought and way more than the (male) power boaters.

I'd also add a #4 to the list. Get out on the water as often as possible in a variety of weather conditions.
__________________
nauticalnancy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2009, 08:13 PM   #4
Ensign
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by redbopeep View Post
Helpful advice:

1. Take lessons, there are many sailing schools/sailing training programs around the world.

2. If you're too cash-short to do that, volunteer to crew for local beer can races, or other events at sailing clubs/yacht clubs.

3. If in US, take the Power Squadron/Boat US or USCG Aux boating safety classes and Navigation classes.

Good luck in your learning experiences.

You can do a search of the Cruiser Log website and find many, many people taking about different aspects of their sailing experiences.

Fair winds,
Thanks, it've been hard to find anything related to sailing here in Mississippi. They seem to be more interested in fishing and hunting. I didn't know about the Power Squadron so I'm going to look it up, hopefully, there'll be one here.
__________________
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,

And the hunter home from the hill.

Robert Louis Stevenson
CuriousDeafDude is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2009, 12:32 AM   #5
Moderator
 
redbopeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Home Port: Washington DC
Vessel Name: SV Mahdee
Posts: 3,236
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CuriousDeafDude View Post
Thanks, it've been hard to find anything related to sailing here in Mississippi. They seem to be more interested in fishing and hunting. I didn't know about the Power Squadron so I'm going to look it up, hopefully, there'll be one here.
Well, the Power Squadron will help you out with learning Navigation, Rules of the Road, etc. Also--I'd suggest doing all of 1, 2, and 3! if you can.

If you're on a budget and can't get to a resort type location for a weeklong sailing class...and...If you can't find sailors because you're not on "big" sailing waters, then find yourself a small dingy type sailboat to learn basic sailing in--use a nearby lake. You CAN do this on your own, but it will be easier if there's someone to assist you. Maybe put an ad on Craigs List and see if there are skilled sailors around. Or, I've suggested this before on the Cruiser Log but people don't take it seriously--go to the local boy scout troop leader and find out if they offer the kids a sailing badge. If they do, then they've got some sailors around helping out---find the adults who are supporting the kids and you'll find yourself some sailors.

You can learn in small boats and every thing you learn will directly apply to large boat sailing. Ideally look for a boat that has a jib and a main, but anything will do to get you out there.

Good luck!
__________________
"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

What we're doing - The sailing life aboard and the Schooner Chandlery.

redbopeep is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2009, 12:31 PM   #6
Admiral
 
JeanneP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,098
Default

I second Brenda's suggestions. *Learning on small boats is such a wise idea, and if you can sail successfully on a small lake you will have invaluable experience in reading the wind and trimming your sails. *It's all transferable to big boats.
__________________
In 1986 we went cruising for a few years. After 20 years and 50+ countries and several oceans, we are STILL "cruising for a few years".

SY WATERMELON |
MV WATERMELON (New) | Cruiser's Dictionary, free ebook

= Cruiser's Dictionary, North America,
JeanneP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2009, 03:01 AM   #7
Ensign
 
nauticalnancy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 26
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JeanneP View Post
I second Brenda's suggestions. Learning on small boats is such a wise idea, and if you can sail successfully on a small lake you will have invaluable experience in reading the wind and trimming your sails. It's all transferable to big boats.
My husband and I first learned to sail (in 2001) on dinghys. Everything that happens on a dinghy happens faster than on a keel boat. Small boats are far less forgiving that keel boats and capsizing is part of the experience. I spent one windy evening capsizing and righting a boat. On my fourth attempt I couldn't do it. Too tired and my asthma started to act up. I'm very glad the water was warm. Not too bad for a women over 40. Most of the wives in our sailing club give up sailing around the time I started. Now we cruise and race more than anyone else in our club. We put more nautical miles on our boat last season (our first with this boat) than the boat had seen in 10 years. But, I'm sure it doesn't even come close to that cruise fulltime or even can sail year round.
__________________

__________________
nauticalnancy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
A Willing And Helpful Crew Member Free! Carl in Denia Spain The Tavern | Welcome Aboard 0 04-23-2011 10:26 PM
Any Experiences With Diesel Cooker? sindbad The Galley 6 12-23-2008 08:35 PM
Learning Curve Nausikaa General Cruising Forum 13 01-11-2008 11:28 AM
Learning To Float OregonTwo General Cruising Forum 2 04-13-2007 12:00 AM
Helpful last minute tips..? benscottrobinson General Cruising Forum 4 02-21-2006 10:10 AM

Our Communities

Our communities encompass many different hobbies and interests, but each one is built on friendly, intelligent membership.

» More about our Communities

Automotive Communities

Our Automotive communities encompass many different makes and models. From U.S. domestics to European Saloons.

» More about our Automotive Communities

RV & Travel Trailer Communities

Our RV & Travel Trailer sites encompasses virtually all types of Recreational Vehicles, from brand-specific to general RV communities.

» More about our RV Communities

Marine Communities

Our Marine websites focus on Cruising and Sailing Vessels, including forums and the largest cruising Wiki project on the web today.

» More about our Marine Communities


All times are GMT. The time now is 12:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
×