new to sailing, really want to learn

[sc2]

Hello, I'm Stan Creech and I want to cruise on a sailboat. I've had a couple of lessons in the past and they went well but I can't afford any more at this time. I was told that I had a good feel for the helm. That was a few years ago in Maine, where I also attended boatbuilding school. I am quite serious when I say that my goal is to live on my own cruising yacht. I have no resources now so this is going to take a while, and in the meantime I read everything I can find and am anxious to get on the water- any boat, any size, anytime.

I am presently located in the San Francisco Bay area, east bay,Hayward. I don't have a car right now, but I will try to get to any location for a chance to get some experience. I will be glad for any opportunity to be around people who know sailing. I could help out around races, whatever. I also would have time to get involved in repair/restoration projects.

Will try anything!

stan

[CharlieCobra]

Post up on all the forum's "Crew Available" areas. Many local racing yachts or yachts that race for fun will give a newbie a ride...

Here ya go from SA: I need a fill in for tonights beer can, can anyone make it to the Bay Club by 5pm? Dave six one nine-eight oh eight-three six five oh (number edited for bots) Good luck...

[CharlieCobra]

Meh, why do I bother?

[sc2]

Hoping for contacts, I saw something in the rules about my having to post 10 times before I can send a private message which is one way I might communicate with anyone who could use my help or who has good advice. So here is post #2.

I'm not sure if the classifieds are the way I should go with my limited geographical range and very limited experience but I may decide to try putting out an ad anyway. Right now I'm just hoping that a yacht club or someone else in the SF area could use an extra hand with just about anything.

Another way to contact me is at (510) 732-9594, ask for stan

P.S. Charlie that message wasn't for me? Beer can sounds like something they probably have everywhere and your signature says Bellingham

[Stillraining]

It was for you ...Bay club is San Francisco.

[CharlieCobra]

sc2, it was in the Bay Area. I have contacts everywhere and saw this request. Maybe you should call the guy anyway to set up a ride.

[sailingfool]

If you poke around here Northern California PHRF you should be able to find various crew list links. say Yacht Racing Association of SF Bay or information about race venues. Putting a card up on the nearby club boards will get action as will hanging out at a club's dock the morning of a race. This is an easy way to get invited, lots of somebodies' usually need more bodies. Next thing you know you have all the sailing you can handle, plus 10 new best friends.

[fixxxer0]

plenty to learn here... ive been lurking for years haha

welcome!

[sc2]

Ok, sorry guys. Truth is I didn't see that reply til almost 5 anyway, then wasn't sure because of the Bellingham address. Now I see that it was being forwarded to me. Thanks to Charlie, and I should have seen what he was saying. I will try that #. I'm not in the habit of spending long hours at the computer, I'll be checking once or twice a day for 20-30 minutes at a time so in the beginning I'll need at least a day of lead time. First I need to get to know where the clubs and marinas are at, then I'll probably be using public transportation- BART and buses, ect.

Met a guy at Point San Pablo YC (on Woodenboat forum) who invited me out rowing and we discussed lots of other things, refurbishing their dinghy fleet, maintenance of the facilities, and sailing on his 40 footer and I thought I'd be busy by now but I'm still waiting -so I'm back out here on the net trying to meet more people.

All of your replies are most welcome. Like I said, I'm willing to try anything, and a little hands on work might relieve my boredom.

P.S. I won't be back online til tomorrow afternoon.

stan