New Sailor - Feedback Perhaps?

[Peyton]

Hi Guys,

I'm Sarah Peyton, 25, and I'm going to learn how to sail in Newport, RI this summer. Then I'll be aiming to take off around the world for a while. If anyone has any advice for a new sailor - from books to websites to magazines to recommended certifications to stories, please get in touch! I'd love to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Sarah

[Lighthouse]

Welcome aboard Sarah.

There is some great information about crewing on our Cruising Wiki - HERE

Good luck with your plans.

[Wildernesstech]

Hello and welcome,

Here are a few titles I refer to often:

"The Voyager's Handbook", by Beth Leonard

""Singlehanded Sailing", by Richard Henderson

"How to Sail Around the World", by Hal Roth

and about anything by Lin & Larry Pardey.

I learn alot just by looking through the archives of this forum!

The difference between books and the forum is that when I have a question or idea, I can ask it here and get feedback. In the end it offers a more thorough understanding of the subject. On more than one occasion I thought that I understood a subject only to find that I had either a "surface" understanding, or that my perception worked in theory, but not in practice.

Please try to get through most of the sailing classics, if you like to read; Such as "Sailing Alone Around the World", by Joshua Slocum. While dated, they are written about a time none of us can experience again, yet encompass all of the things that we do experience while "out there".

Welcome to the addiction!

David

[Wildernesstech]

Sarah,

I forgot to add one very important point; Hanging out with sailors is about the best way to learn about sailing! But remember, just because someone has been sailing for over twenty years doesn't mean that they have been doing it right. It bears some weight though, that they ARE still sailing! If you are planning to venture off around the world on boats, you would do well to learn from those who sail in such a manner, and not those who have sailed the same bay all of their life.

Fair winds,

David

[Istioploos]

Welcome to our virtual cruising club Sara. I wish you luck with your sailing career. However, in addition to reading and before you embark in a long cruise it is best to try a short one with some friends. If a suitable boat is not available charter one for a few days. Then you will know more what cruising is all about.

Vasilis

[Wildernesstech]

Originally Posted by Istioploos

Welcome to our virtual cruising club Sara. I wish you luck with your sailing career. However, in addition to reading and before you embark in a long cruise it is best to try a short one with some friends. If a suitable boat is not available charter one for a few days. Then you will know more what cruising is all about.

Vasilis

Great point Vasilis! And he really touched on something very important and that is the chemistry among those you cruise with. Please notice that he used the word "friends"... There is a lot of wisdom there!

See why I learn so much from these guys?

David