New to Boating

21feetofnewb · #1 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009

Hi,

My name is Brett. I just moved here from southern Indiana roughly 6 months ago and I have come upon a Kells 21 fo almost nothing that is water safe lol...just needs a bit of work and some TLC. I have dreamed of owning a boat since I was 14 and spent my first weekend on the water. Granted it was the ohio river lol, but it was great none the less. I finally have the latter but I don't have any sailing experience and I was hoping there was someone around the Tampa area that would be willing to take me out for a day on a boat thats roughly the same size. I'm under the impression that its hard to get used to heeling and certain things like that and I would like to spend a day with someone who knows what they are doing. I just don't want to pay for a class. You will find I am a quick learner and Im not just looking for a free trip on a boat I just want to learn enough to atleast stay out in the bay for a while and learn enough to maybe head out to one of the islands on the gulf ^_^ let me know if anyone is up for this. Thank you!

Brett M. Harding

NOLAsailing · #2 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009

Hi Brett,

Congrats on the new boat and welcome to sailing. My recommendation would be to find an active yacht club that host's weekly "beer can" races. Skippers are always looking for crew and you can get a great intro to sailing for no more than the cost of a 12 pack of beer.

Also, don't be afraid to ask around the marina if some of the more experienced sailors would like some crew or if they would be willing to go out with you for a couple of hours.

Good luck and have fun!

21feetofnewb · #3 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009

Thank you for the reply. I have actually looked at a couple in st. Pete my only worry with that is being so young, and not well off, that the boating community of Tampa would hold themselves a little beyond me lol. I posted and add on craigslist looking to crew a boat as well but I don't want to get used to being on something 35-40+ foot and have to single man my 21 foot lol well my fiance' doesn't count lol

NOLAsailing · #4 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by 21feetofnewb

Thank you for the reply. I have actually looked at a couple in st. Pete my only worry with that is being so young, and not well off, that the boating community of Tampa would hold themselves a little beyond me lol. I posted and add on craigslist looking to crew a boat as well but I don't want to get used to being on something 35-40+ foot and have to single man my 21 foot lol well my fiance' doesn't count lol

DON"T WORRY ABOUT IT. There are lots of boats that would be happy to have you and your fiance. The principles are the same 21 ft or 40 ft and you can learn a lot fast.

21feetofnewb · #5 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009

Thanks a ton then! Ill get right on it!

raisin56 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-02-2009

Brett
I am boatless right now or I'd take you out on mine. Davis Island Yatch Club usually start up their summer Thursday night races in March. The club opens it's doors to the public those nights and you can go in and volunteer at the bar to crew for someone. If you can get down to Apollo Beach to the Tampa Sailing Squadron (TSS) they take visitors on the weekend, they are a very friendly group and I'm sure you can find help there.

Dan

lans0012 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009

Hey Brett,

I moved here from MN about 9 months ago with my girlfriend. We live in St. Petersburg. I had some experience sailing but didn't have a boat. I convinced my gf to go get ASA 101 certified over one of the weekends. Anyhow she likes sailing now and I have a Ranger 22 that I keep in the St. Petersburg Municiple Marina. I was lucky and found a well built boat that was very dirty and cheap. I spent a couple of weekends cleaning, cleaning and cleaning and some painting on the inside and ended up with a pretty nice boat for about $2500. There are so many boats for sale around here but the catch is where to put it oince you buy it. There is a ton of junk boats that should be hauled off too so in case you haven't bought one or sunk a boatload of $$$ into one keep looking. Slip space for that sized boat...if you can find a slip is about $250/month. You can anchor in a bunch of areas but I wouldn't cause I;m a puss. Drop me a PM and I'll let you know next time I need a hand if you still want some practice. I need lots of practice too but I can handle the boat for daysailing if it's not too windy

I get out on the weekends and sometimes the gf would rather shop than sail so I go out alone a lot too.

rk6johnson · #8 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009

You might try the St. Pete Sailing Center. I believe they have a good, low cost program to encourage and train sailors so long as you live in the area.
St. Petersburg Yacht Club*Sailing Center

chuck5499 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009

i kinda agree with ians0012 - take a asa course - we took ours at brunt store marina from sw fla yachts - the instur. made us work as a team and not a cap'n and crew - we took the course in 2002 and we had never been on a sailboat or any boat of any kind before that and bought our boat in 2003
we sail a jeanneau ds40 and are full time cruisers now - we are still learning to sail and will never quit learning -
so take a course and then go out and make your own mistakes - join a sailing club and race and learn -
good luck and take the lady with you to the course and become a team sailing your boat
chuck patty and svsoulmates
on the hook cape may nj waiting on a weather window