Sailing Mentor Needed - NYC

wormly81 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006

Greetings Everyone,

I'm searching for someone to teach me to sail. I just turned 25 today and will be working and living in NYC starting Monday. I spent most of last summer sleeping on the ground up in New Paltz so that I could rock climb as much as possible. Given my graduation from business school and the move into NYC for work, I'm feeling the need to find a hobby that is less travel intensive and more conducive to city life. I am very goal oriented and see myself wanting to race and sail long distances in the future.

In return for guiding me into the sport, I will teach you anything I know. My competencies are rock climbing, accounting, finance... uh oh I was hoping I had more to offer.

I would appreciate someone that could...

1. Point me towards the best books and resources for learning to sail.
2. Bring me up to speed with the culture of sailing and its history.
3. Demonstrate good sailing techniques/theory and teach from vast personal experience.
4. Allow me on their boat in return for hard work, after sailing brews, and whatever else I can offer.

Looking to get out on the water most weekends this summer. I looked into sailing schools and am a little skeptical that is the path for me right now. I learn best by myself with the guidance of a mentor whom I respect and is willing to share. (plus, establishing myself in the city has put me in a little bit of a cash crunch for the time being.)

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, throw me a message and I'll be in touch ASAP.

Best,

Jeff

PS. Climbing took me places like this... Im wondering where sailing can take me next.

PBzeer · #2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006

One book, I think you will find invaluable, is Nigel Calder's The Cruising Handbook. It's a good primer for learning about sailing and boats. There are other, more specific books, but this one would be a good start to show you what's involved.

I don't know how sucessful you'll be finding one specific mentor, but one thing you can do is check for crewing opportunities at the yacht clubs and marinas in your area. This should put you on a variety of different boats, and with different skippers, giving you some sense of comparsion. Also, you'll learn if sailing is what you think it can be.

Regards,

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006

Another excellent book is "The Complete Sailor" by David Seidman. Well-written, easy to understand and digest, amusing drawings, and covers a wide breadth of materials. It is the book I give to newbies who will be crewing with me.

Surfesq · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006

Are you sure you two should be mentoring this guy?

Pirate's Booty · #5 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006

...and I will consider mentoring you out of my vast stores of sailing knowledge and experience!!!

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surfesq

Are you sure you two should be mentoring this guy?

Please note, that I never said I'd mentor him...just suggested a book to read.

kimberlite · #7 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006

drop me an e-mail i am always looking for crew
boat is currently in huntington.
where was that photo taken?
kimberlite@optonline.net
eric

Surfesq · #8 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006

lol...I know just having fun. You recommended a good book by the way.

sailingdog · #9 (**permalink**) 07-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surfesq

lol...I know just having fun. You recommended a good book by the way.

Yes, I know... That's why I use it... I really can't mentor someone who'd have to drive four hours or so to be mentored... Just doesn't work very well.

I'm amazed I have cell signal on my boat at the moment.

Cell phone to laptop via bluetooth... Technology rocks.