[Newsailor]

I''m learning to sail too. I''m in my 50''s as well and want to have some fun and maybe look at some serious cruising in a few years. I started with some basic cruising courses and joined a local club where we share 24'' sharks and do some club racing.

Some of the best lessons that I''ve had were when I''ve taken raw novices out with me. I have to explain everthing and actually act like a skipper. One experience was a little scary. I had my oldest daughter and son-in-law out on the local lake in heavy winds for me - 15 knots with gusts to 20+ and direction shifts. I didn''t read the gusts very well and should''ve been running under main alone (I had the 110 jib up). We heeled way too far and ended up taking water into the cockpit. Later on we ran aground on a rock which we managed to ease off. I was humbled. A good lesson.