Where should I start?

[RAGNAR]

I obviously don't know your specifics, but here's an option I've repeatedly heard great things about:

http://www.jworldschool.com/

Here in NY, some community colleges offer sailing courses.

[sailingfool]

I would make a distinction between learning to sail and learning to handle a small cruiser.

I think learning to handle a small cruiser can be approached by taking a class/hiring a captain/reading books/crewing/just doing it..or a combination of these or all...as the various recommendations above say.

Learing to sail is a different matter, All the above are good suggestions, but in my opinion best preceded by an intense period of time hands-on sailing a small boat. Look for a local sailing club where you can use a small boat for cheap, go out every afternoon for 2-3 weeks, and then you will be good to go. Thousands of others like myself have learned to sail at places like http://www.community-boating.org/, find something like it in your area. You can do only a tenth of the damage, to the boat or to a loved one, in a Mercury 16 that you might do in a Hunter 31.

I think learning to sail and learning to boat-handle at the same time on a 30 footer is a formula for disaster. It may work out fine for you, many sailors have done so successfully, then again you do create a real risk of injuring even killing someone that you love. ..how's it go, do you feel lucky today?

Learn to sail first, then learn the boat handling, and the risks in my opinion are far more manageable..

[GySgt]

Originally Posted by chucklesR

Flex
My first boat was a 86 Hunter 31, you can learn on it. First thing to do if find a friend who knows sailing and take him/her out with you. If you have any questions PM me. I've got friends in the Cleveland area.

Chuck

After your advice to Brittany Spears, I thought you lost all your friends

[SailSolomons]

Contact your local school and get some instruction aboard your boat. Depending on your skill and knowledge a couple of days should get you going for the season. Once you've practised and practised go back to your school for intermediate levels. Take your time there's a lot to learn.
Good luck

[Stillraining]

A bigger boat , to a point is arguably easier to sail ..IF you have the maneuvering room to do so..( And I did say sail not dock)

Every thing happens at a slower pace...However everything happens with much more power and force..and that is the basis most likely from the cautionary advice youve gotten so far...

It is more difficult to say, lay over a big boat , but death awaits improper downwind handling....

Take it slow, take it cautiously, avoid Gybing or getting more then off your quarter downwind and take out an instructor a few times like your planing and you will be amazed at how well you will be doing in a short time..

I personally feel that the older we get the more sense learning on a medium size boat make more sense..Old farts like myself would be hurt faster in a small very maneuverable learning platform then one of 30'...I just cant react that fast or duck and switch high sides that fast ( or low.. )anymore..

Finally...LUCKY YOU.....See God sill answers Prayer...

[sailingdog]

My friend's father-in-law is pushing 65 and sails Lasers at an international level and runs marathons...

Also, Minoru Saito is a Japanese sailor who has made over 260,000 miles of voyages under sail, and is prepping for an eight circumnavigation, which he plans to start this October, and he'll be 75 at the time.

Being old is more a state of mind IMHO than anything else.

I personally feel that the older we get the more sense learning on a medium size boat make more sense..Old farts like myself would be hurt faster in a small very maneuverable learning platform then one of 30'...I just cant react that fast or duck and switch high sides that fast ( or low.. )anymore..

[Stillraining]

And besides Dog most other people on this site are pretty nice..

[sailingdog]

Just pointing out that having a lot of calendar years on the counter... doesn't necessarily mean much. One of my friends, who I call old fart all the time can probably run me into the ground, since he runs marathons about three times a year for fun...

Originally Posted by Stillraining

And besides Dog most other people on this site are pretty nice..

[Stillraining]

I was making an average statement of fact..That as we get older we lose some mobility, thats all...For me it is quite a bit actually and I should preface my statements maybe a little better...I dont know what it is really like to be a normal 50 year old..I have stoved up a little earlier then most..

You have to admit your examples are more rarities then the norm to say the least...I can also list out a few admirable examples of rarity in the opposite direction also having little value as to the average young person... We know the family of a young 12 year girl who climbed Mt. Mckinley ( Denali )...most 12 year old girls I know can barely do a few push ups or carry much of anything up a 8 foot ladder..

Unless I'm obviously goofing around.. I always try to voice something that may help , encourage or offer another opinion that has worked or helped me to someone... not just a knee-jerk statement...If I have offended your youthful mobility at age it was not my intention believe me. I wish I had some of it...

I will preface my answers better from here on out..Will you also...

[artbyjody]

Originally Posted by Stillraining

I was making an average statement of fact..That as we get older we lose some mobility, thats all...For me it is quite a bit actually and I should preface my statements maybe a little better...I dont know what it is really like to be a normal 50 year old..I have stoved up a little earlier then most..

You have to admit your examples are more rarities then the norm to say the least...I can also list out a few admirable examples of rarity in the opposite direction also having little value as to the average young person... We know the family of a young 12 year girl who climbed Mt. Mckinley ( Denali )...most 12 year old girls I know can barely do a few push ups or carry much of anything up a 8 foot ladder..

Unless I'm obviously goofing around.. I always try to voice something that may help , encourage or offer another opinion that has worked or helped me to someone... not just a knee-jerk statement...If I have offended your youthful mobility at age it was not my intention believe me. I wish I had some of it...

I will preface my answers better from here on out..Will you also...

SR - he is a victim of the Seattle Freeze which contrary to most studies as it is not a human interest story.. He owns a GMC Denali that he bought on ebay from a climber that did the Mount (insert title here)...somehow - as a result - he picked up penguins... did a global warming circumspection.... and well in Seattle unless Bob Perry denounces he is not related to Steve Perry - a story to be told..