Advice for someone brand new to sailing

[shaggy]

+1 on the don't pay for shit thing... It sounds like you are pretty much summer minded so you need to go to points south right about now. Get a good set of fowelies, a good lifejacket and harness and head to NZ. Nelson or Aukland will probably be good. Figure out where the YC's are and show up with a slab and the willingness to learn. ON the days you are not racing and learning on the big boat, get access to a laser, sunfish or whatever is raced down there locally(this can probably be done through the YC, paper or general scrounging around. Learn to rig it, learn to not flip it and go race with the locals when you are not on the big boat. Once you get that (Being 24) you have no job and you are not bound to anywhere so you should probably be able to hook on with a sailing club camp or whatever as an instructor\counseler. Teach for $$$ to feed yourself and the bonus is that teaching is the best way to learn. (if a camp, then bonus as free lodging). So if you follow the above, you should know enough by spring (fall down there) to latch onto a boat cruising somewhere as a deckhand or delivery crew and get somewhere where you can repeat everything up north..... If, by then, you still want to sail your own boat around the world, well, save some cash, or find a rich chick and go for it. This exact format worked for one of my newbie crew (and good friends)He was born and raised in colorado of all places but wanted to sail. He was 18 when he started with me, is 23 ish now and has 1 Transpac, 1-2 transpac deliveries, 2 summers in Hawii and a summer as a BN racing in Florida under his belt.

Oh yea, Where are the hogans????

 

[grouchyIRL]

Start small. Big boats can run on momentum for a while and you won't instantly feel the effect of a wind shift or whatever. People who learn in dinghies learn to sail by the feel of the boat. Sailing by the seat of your pants, if you will. On a big boat you simply won't understand the sail-steering interaction for a long time. So get a dinghy. Sunfish if you must, they're nice on a reach, but I'd be more partial to a laser myself, or even a pico seeing as it has a jib and is basically indestructible.

The great thing about taking a dinghy out on a small lake is that if you want to know the effect of something, you can take it off and see the difference. For example, kid I was teaching simply didn't believe me when I said the dagger board was needed (lol). So I said okay, take it out. I put it in the motorboat with me and told him to head for shore. Which he intended to do... except he couldn't tack... So he tried to build up some speed and try tacking then. Still didn't happen for him plus he realized that he was just being pushed sideways by the wind and wasn't really going forwards a whole lot. He gladly put the dagger board back in and went away from that lesson being fully aware of why sailing boats have keels/daggerboards/centreboards.

The other thing about a dinghy is that you can learn to sail rudderless. Nothing will teach you more about sail trim, boat trim, heel and steering than taking your rudder off.

Seriously, if you want to do some ocean sailing you can't afford to have sub standard sailing skills. Once you actually know how to sail then you can talk about getting onto big boats and doing some delivery trips and learning the navigation theory. No point putting the cart before the horse.

 

[6924]

every single blue water sailor I have sailed with that did not start sailing on little boats...doesn't have any sense of sail trim, boat handling, nor dare I say knows-how-to-sail.

 

[Black Jack]

Learn how to sail a small boat with a jib proficiently. Sail on some beer can races. Get some offshore equipment. be physically fit, mentally alert, continue your education and abstain or limit drinking. be outwardly friendly, open to lending a kind hand and offer and entertain only positive engagements. At 24, you do not want to own a large boat. owning personal boat is overrated. You can crew on someone else's vessel even make some cash on the side or as crew as you see the world on someone else's dime. You will get to be a superior sailor, bag the hottest women and have the best stories that will round you out to be a better man. In the end it is about being the best man with the most friends who happens to be a terrific sailor.

If I was to start this path - Being an excellent waterman can happen anywhere. California or Florida. if you were ready I would suggest a Baja Ha ha and you would off on your adventure next month with a host options in weeks or months soon after. Now that would be On the job training with a destination with someone else picking up the fees and food.

 

[FLICK OFF!]

If—
BY RUDYARD KIPLING


(‘Brother Square-Toes’—Rewards and Fairies)

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

 

[Great Red Shark]

Variety. Lots of it.

Every boat you sail on, every different condition and every venue will have something to teach you. If you let it.

Crew for everyone you can - learn from the good and bad things they all do, learn about preparation from the cruisers and boat-handling from the racers.

Don't go buy your own boat at this point - attractive as it sounds it will mostly serve to insulate you from the greater experience of sailing with others.

You might not be ready for some of the lessons as they come - but you can still pick things up even if you are way over your head on a race crew and just working the topping lift - and no, you don't have to KEEP doing just that, but learn to learn - for at this stage there is a LOT of software to upload. (btw, a good racing program will give you some helm time, even if it's not on the race course)

But you'll get it, and when you do it'll be worth it. Totally.

One under-appreciated aspect of being master of your own vessel is that when you travel afield, YOU need to be responsible for the darn boat, everywhere, all the time. Not to say it's like a prison sentence...but it can feel that way at times.

CREWING for someone that appreciates solid crew with manners and a work ethic will get you to a lot of far-flung ports, AND some well-deserved shore leave to 'see the world' -- what I'm trying to say is: Keep your options open.

Meanwhile, everything from a windsurfer to a schooner is a learning opportunity. I almost envy you. Last thing - much like mountain sports, remember you aren't playing with a sailboat. You are USING the sailboat to play with the weather, which is Big. Very Big - don't get into arguments with it, the atmosphere wins.

best luck, guys.

 

[davidprobable]

Hey guys, I'm a 23 year old guy who loves boating and kayaking. I also fix (most things) that go wrong with the engine side of boats. I'm about to expand to sailing and I just want some tips from people who do it!

My friend and I are both about to be 24 and really want to hit the ocean in the future. I realize we have a ton of preparation. We've done everything from being snowboard instructors in the rockies to working on small yachts off the coast of Queensland over the past few years. We have determination to do what needs to be done.

With that being said, we want to learn to sail in the most cost efficient way possible. We both live in Arkansas and own lakehouses here on a fairly large lake. Where should we start? Small boat on the lake? Pay for lessons at our local "sail club"? Move to Florida and just learn there helping a local out on his boat? (I have a friend in Navarre with some contacts)

I also know ocean sailing is much different, which is what we want to eventually do. Probably will buy a cheap boat and fix it up eventually. BIG PICTURE: Our main goal is to sail the world. However, before that we'd like to go from the keys to the Bahamas then the caribbean. Again, I realize that will take time and knowledge.

So if you were me, where would you start?

Thanks everyone

Give your head a shake and get out of it and run for the hills.......do not go near the Ocean......find a basement and hide in it.

 

[Black Jack]

Thinking about this - Stay away from the sauce and owners wife. Sail with folks who serve good food. Don't sail with lousy drunks, assholes and jerks. You will be known by the people you sail with. be aware of your surroundings for your safety. dress for the weather but have a change at the ready when it does. Use sun screen, sun block clothing and a hat. wear a life preserver, carry (store) your cell phone safely in a double ziplock and wear a knife on a carabiner.

 

[DarthSailor]

Word of advice-----the difference between a 'large' lake and the 'Ocean' is beyond fuking huge. Like waaaaay beyond. A lake can kill you----but the ocean can kill your entire family.....plus the guy who does your oil changes.

Respect. The. Sea.....

There are five or so lakes in the upper mid-west that get a little "ocean-y" when they set their mind to it. Otherwise I would second the notion that the gap between the trouble you can get in on a lake and the danger in the ocean is very very large.

 

[davidprobable]

Word of advice-----the difference between a 'large' lake and the 'Ocean' is beyond fuking huge. Like waaaaay beyond. A lake can kill you----but the ocean can kill your entire family.....plus the guy who does your oil changes.

Respect. The. Sea.....

There are five or so lakes in the upper mid-west that get a little "ocean-y" when they set their mind to it. Otherwise I would second the notion that the gap between the trouble you can get in on a lake and the danger in the ocean is very very large.

Not according to Ted Turner during a Chicago Mackinac race years ago........not sure if he was in Tenacious but he said the ocean was dog shit by comparison.

 

[ovb]

I took a sailing class from parks and rec. it gave me basic tools so I could crew on other folks boats...talk to folks and offer to help out....a lot of guys dont like to single hand and if a dude shows up with a sixer.......

 

[El Mariachi]

Word of advice-----the difference between a 'large' lake and the 'Ocean' is beyond fuking huge. Like waaaaay beyond. A lake can kill you----but the ocean can kill your entire family.....plus the guy who does your oil changes.

Respect. The. Sea.....

There are five or so lakes in the upper mid-west that get a little "ocean-y" when they set their mind to it. Otherwise I would second the notion that the gap between the trouble you can get in on a lake and the danger in the ocean is very very large.

Not according to Ted Turner during a Chicago Mackinac race years ago........not sure if he was in Tenacious but he said the ocean was dog shit by comparison.

I may have to amend my thoughts on the lake thing, given that I just got back from ten days in the Milwaukee/Racine area and finally got a chance to see that Lake Michigan thingy. Holy FUK but is that thing huge. Couldn't even see where the end of it was---or if it even has an end. Though it was like 80 degrees and dfc there I picked some of the locals for horror stories on just how fucky it can get out there. Trust me, but it turns out it can get VERY fucky out there, very fast.

Respect to those of you who go out there when it's not all tropically and shit.....

 

[coyotepup]

Word of advice-----the difference between a 'large' lake and the 'Ocean' is beyond fuking huge. Like waaaaay beyond. A lake can kill you----but the ocean can kill your entire family.....plus the guy who does your oil changes.

Respect. The. Sea.....

There are five or so lakes in the upper mid-west that get a little "ocean-y" when they set their mind to it. Otherwise I would second the notion that the gap between the trouble you can get in on a lake and the danger in the ocean is very very large.

Not according to Ted Turner during a Chicago Mackinac race years ago........not sure if he was in Tenacious but he said the ocean was dog shit by comparison.

I may have to amend my thoughts on the lake thing, given that I just got back from ten days in the Milwaukee/Racine area and finally got a chance to see that Lake Michigan thingy. Holy FUK but is that thing huge. Couldn't even see where the end of it was---or if it even has an end. Though it was like 80 degrees and dfc there I picked some of the locals for horror stories on just how fucky it can get out there. Trust me, but it turns out it can get VERY fucky out there, very fast.

Respect to those of you who go out there when it's not all tropically and shit.....

Here's a thing on the storm that hit the Chi-Mac a couple years ago.

http://www.lakeeriewx.com/CaseStudies/ChicagoMac/Initiation.html

There's a graph of wind observations at a buoy that shows 45 knots, 10 minutes after it showed 15 knots.

I've sailed on the lakes (ok, Huron and St. Clair) and on the ocean and my very anecdotal opinion is that the ocean's fury has a lot more staying power and can wear you all the way down, but it gives you more warning. The lakes will just say "here I come, ready or not."

 

[El Mariachi]

Our son just got married last week but somehow they managed to buy an old house in Cudahy less than two blocks from the lake. a week before. (Wfd, Son!). Anyways my last day there I was soaking up rays in his back yard at noon, sucking on a Pacifico and a cigar, in 80 crystal clear, dfc weather. Less than 60 minutes later it had dropped to 44, wind was over 30k's and blowing cold-assed mist droplets rain thingys on a 45. Weird shit over there....

 

[shaggy]

Word of advice-----the difference between a 'large' lake and the 'Ocean' is beyond fuking huge. Like waaaaay beyond. A lake can kill you----but the ocean can kill your entire family.....plus the guy who does your oil changes.

Respect. The. Sea.....

There are five or so lakes in the upper mid-west that get a little "ocean-y" when they set their mind to it. Otherwise I would second the notion that the gap between the trouble you can get in on a lake and the danger in the ocean is very very large.

Biggest bunch of horse shit ever said on this site..... please look up ted turner and get back to us.... sad really.....

 

[El Mariachi]

Word of advice-----the difference between a 'large' lake and the 'Ocean' is beyond fuking huge. Like waaaaay beyond. A lake can kill you----but the ocean can kill your entire family.....plus the guy who does your oil changes.

Respect. The. Sea.....

There are five or so lakes in the upper mid-west that get a little "ocean-y" when they set their mind to it. Otherwise I would second the notion that the gap between the trouble you can get in on a lake and the danger in the ocean is very very large.

Biggest bunch of horse shit ever said on this site..... please look up ted turner and get back to us.... sad really.....

Care to expand/expound on that one?....

 

[mad]

Word of advice-----the difference between a 'large' lake and the 'Ocean' is beyond fuking huge. Like waaaaay beyond. A lake can kill you----but the ocean can kill your entire family.....plus the guy who does your oil changes.

Respect. The. Sea.....

There are five or so lakes in the upper mid-west that get a little "ocean-y" when they set their mind to it. Otherwise I would second the notion that the gap between the trouble you can get in on a lake and the danger in the ocean is very very large.

Not according to Ted Turner during a Chicago Mackinac race years ago........not sure if he was in Tenacious but he said the ocean was dog shit by comparison.

I may have to amend my thoughts on the lake thing, given that I just got back from ten days in the Milwaukee/Racine area and finally got a chance to see that Lake Michigan thingy. Holy FUK but is that thing huge. Couldn't even see where the end of it was---or if it even has an end. Though it was like 80 degrees and dfc there I picked some of the locals for horror stories on just how fucky it can get out there. Trust me, but it turns out it can get VERY fucky out there, very fast.

Respect to those of you who go out there when it's not all tropically and shit.....

Oh yeah, it does. Been there and ticked that one off the list, as well getting bitten to shit by flies on the return trip.

Only bonus is, it's fresh water

 

[El Mariachi]

But everyone knows fresh water is slower.....

 

[triciarob]

The first and MOST important thing is to get yourselves a 'Gofundme 'page

The second is to get a Tracker.

You'll find the rest will just naturally fall into place.

Rob

P.S. Just taking the piss ! Learn to sail a dingy with 2 sails, lost count of the people I have met who have sailed round the world who couldn't trim their beard let alone the fucking sails.

Always a space available for competent crew and Backpackers with big tits (or even a pulse.) at most of the cruising crossroads.

 

[dacapo]

This place has completely jumped the shark.

the pussification of Amerika.......