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07-04-2009, 05:17 PM
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#1
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Ensign
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12
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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.
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Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.
Robert Louis Stevenson
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07-05-2009, 04:08 PM
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2007
Home Port: Washington DC
Vessel Name: SV Mahdee
Posts: 3,236
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CuriousDeafDude
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.
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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,
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07-06-2009, 04:12 PM
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#3
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Ensign
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redbopeep
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,
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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.
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07-06-2009, 08:13 PM
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#4
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Ensign
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redbopeep
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,
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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
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07-07-2009, 12:32 AM
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#5
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Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2007
Home Port: Washington DC
Vessel Name: SV Mahdee
Posts: 3,236
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CuriousDeafDude
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.
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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!
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07-07-2009, 12:31 PM
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#6
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Admiral
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,098
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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.
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07-08-2009, 03:01 AM
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#7
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Ensign
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JeanneP
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.
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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.
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