Sugesstions on best place to learn on the Chesapeake

FlyGekko · #1 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008

Hey all
I am new to this forum and sailing as well. Just looking for advice on where some of the best places to take an intro to sailing course on the Chesapeake as well as to continue learning my hope is I will catch the sailing bug and learn the skills to bareboat charter in the future.

FlyGekko

zz4gta · #2 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008

What part of the chesapeake? I'd suggest getting rides, volunteer for crew. Then look into formal instruction. Lots of places in Annapolis that have classes. ASA 101 is something that I'd like to take. Good luck.

FlyGekko · #3 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008

Thanks for the reply
I live in Winchester VA so some where to sail on the west side or easier to get to from VA would be more desired but not crucial.
FlyGekko

SailorMitch · #4 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008

Annapolis Sailing School and J -World in Annapolis are both good. J-World tends more towards racing, however. There are others of course, with some good ones on the Eastern Shore. CHECk out their websites.

zz4gta · #5 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008

Keep in touch, I live in Leesburg and my boat is at the intersection of the St Mary's river and the potomac. When things slow down some I'll take ya out.

fendertweed · #6 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by zz4gta

Keep in touch, I live in Leesburg and my boat is at the intersection of the St Mary's river and the potomac. When things slow down some I'll take ya out.

Hi ...

My boat's on the Occoquan/Potomac at Mason Neck ... I'm planning on heading downriver as far as St. Mary's in late Sept. and then back up via Kinsale - Cobb Island.

I haven't made the trip yet ... How much of a haul is it from Cobb Island to St. Mary's? The run from where I am to Cobb Isl. will require a long day (~50 miles?) of motoring/motorsailing (w/ my Merc 15 4 stroke) to get in on time. I'll probably head out to St. Mary's the next morning.

Any thoughts, etc., on how long I should allow for that trip dep. on tide/wind etc. (I'll try to go with the outbound tide)... my goal will be to sail whenever I can but i realize I may end up doing a lot of motoring dep. on wind & tides.

I'm debating between either pulling in at Dennis Pt. Marina (could just stop for gas & portpotty emptying I suppose), St. Mary's City (no docking there, have to anchor?) or in one of the creeks off the St. Mary's across from Carthegena Crk./Pt. Dennis Marina ... any recommendations on any of that? I have minimal creature comforts on the boat, it's boat camping basically (w/ mosquito nets, LOL).

Thanks,
Jon

Pearson 26 #1200
Catalyst

WouldaShoulda · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008

I had good experiences with both the Chesapeake Sailing School at Port Annapolis Marina learning on a 22ft Tanzer keel boat and Mariner Sailing School on the Potomac River at Belle Haven marina on Flying Scots.

Both these schools have a laid back yet thorough approach for teaching new sailors the basics.

badsanta · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008

I took some classes at the annapolis sailing school. I really liked the diesel and electrical class. Also the Maryland school of sailing and seamanship Maryland School of Sailing; Chesapeake, Caribbean, Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda was great. week long class stay on the boat at night saves hotel bills. I am in Winchester Va and just leaving for the boat in Colonal beach as we type. There are few sailors here, but they offered a sextant nav class at handley a few years ago and 30 people showed up. I go to my boat every few weeks and still plan to sail till its to cold. Keep in touch.

pdqaltair · #9 (**permalink**) 11-18-2008

Start with a small boat, like the Flying Scott suggestion. That is where you get a feel for what big boats do when pressed really hard. No other place to start. IMHO. Go out in a small boat and get thrown around - it is good to learn that you can loose, and how to avoid that.

Big boats have a whole other skill set, just as important... but different.

If you think you will like catamarans, start with a beach cat. Learn how to sail off the wind in a blow. It is a little different.

ttk104 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-08-2008

I took the basic keel boat classes at the Annapolis Sailing School and found them very useful. I know some people who attended JWorld classes too and very happy with them (though they are more geared to racing as mentioned above).

Once you have a little understanding of what's going on another great way to learn is to crew in Wednesday night races. Put your name in the database on Spinsheet.com. I'd be frank about your level of experience but there are some captains out there who are not terribly competitive that can teach you a bunch.