Hey Hey Hey

[SpeedoApe]

So, im totally new and lurking so i thought i would say hey!
Little back ground, im 38 and entering into my mid-life crisis. and the dream of living on a boat is rearing its head again. a few years ago before we built our house i approached the wife with the idea, and was promptly shot down in flames. so i tried again a few weeks ago with the same result. not even living on a boat, but just learing to sail.
so im thinking about taking lessons on my own. being a total greenhorn i have no clue what to do first. so i am fishing around here for now.
nice to meet you all!
SpeedoApe

[km2x]

Where are you located?

[SpeedoApe]

Hello km2x, i live south of houston tx. in friendswood. about 25 mins from Kemah. Kemah has several sailing schools that i want to check out.
S.A.

[km2x]

I learned by showing up to crew at a yacht club. Quick easy and fun

[sailingdog]

Taking a basic class (like ASA 101) can't hurt... since it will give you the foundation and language to speak somewhat intelligently to other sailors... a good class will teach you the difference between halyards (used for raising sails) and sheets (used for controling the end of a sail). Also, it will give you the fundamentals of how a sailboat works, and how to "balance" the sails and trim them.

Once, you've done a basic class... then spending time sailing, even if it is just as intelligent ballast on a racing boat, will help. I also recommend you get and read Seidman's The Complete Sailor.

[canadianseamonkey]

Welcome SpeedoApe. I think I would have to leave my wife if she didn't want to sail with me. Why don't you bring her sailing on a dinner cruise thing, and watch the sunset. She may get hooked on the romantic side of it. Worth a try.

Are you saying that in a few years I'm going to enter my mid-life crisis. Oh man!

[SpeedoApe]

Originally Posted by canadianseamonkey

Are you saying that in a few years I'm going to enter my mid-life crisis. Oh man!

yea...since it was no to sailing, i got a Harley. So know i have a big payment on something i dont really ride. nice huh?
hey when people say take the 101 class, i get that. then they say, then go sailing. where? can you rent little boats? how can a total newbie just up and Go Sail?
S.A.

[soul searcher]

Trade the harley for a boat and go to it.

seriously you can join a yacht club or sailing club they usually have small boats you can learn on and classes. or get a small day sailor and go out and sail it. Its not that hard to make the boat go. what you will get into after you learn to make it go is more technical but really is just refining how you make it go. so you go faster and more in control.
get a sailing for dummies book (no offence we have a copy)and go go go.
then hang on because its goin to get real expensive. you just think that harley cost a lot.

P.S. PLEASE don't post pics of the speedo you'll scare all the kids.

[STARWINDY]

if you have Never sailed at all, check out your local paper, craigslist, boat shopper. Get a small laser or other tiny boat...you will learn alot of the "craft" of sailing from that. If you subscribe to Netflix or Blockbuster..they have a good deal of sailing videos (however..i find them a bit corny). Good luck to you...you found a good place here at Sailnet!!!

[Nauticat38]

Just bought a 36' Nauticat Motorsailer named "Finlandia". The plan was to have my midlife crises at 40 and do this then, but I got married and built a house instead. Been telling everyone ever since that I am living in my sailboat.
Turned 58 and bought a Ducati ST3 (motorcycle). Though it was (and still is, a thrill) that didn't do it either. Just turned 60 and said "now is the time!" My wife didn't want to go either, so I flew off to St. Vincent to learn to sail in the islands, came back and bought the boat. Am picking her up (the boat, not the wife) in New Bern, NC on Wednesday. Will take her out and learn how she and I get along. Will either work or there will be a 36' Nauticat on the market in a couple of months.
Anyone interested in crewing with me up the ICW in a couple of weeks?
Wish me luck!!