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03-06-2008
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1
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Learning to Sail in SE Ontario
Hello
My girlfriend and I are both students (mid 20s) and are hoping to learn how to sail this summer. We live in Guelph, Ontario and as we are both students don't have a lot of money to throw around. Can anyone suggest any schools that might be a good fit for us? Or if there is anyone looking for beginner crew members we would be delighted to join you onboard.
James
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03-06-2008
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Telstar 28
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New England
Posts: 27,073
Rep Power: 5
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James-
While I can't recommend a school or help you out by letting you crew, I would recommend that you and your girlfriend get Dave Seidman's book, The Complete Sailor. It is one of the best books for people interested in learning to sail IMHO, and is well written, easily read, with good illustrations. It's about $14 or so in the bookstore.
I'd also recommend you read this p post to get the most out of your time here on sailnet.
Welcome to sailnet.
__________________
Sailingdog
Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
If you're new to the Sailnet Forums... please read this POST.
Still—DON'T READ THAT POST AGAIN.
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03-06-2008
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Wandering Aimlessly
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Cruising
Posts: 7,159
Rep Power: 7
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You might want to google up a list of marinas and yacht clubs in the area and then visit them as the season begins. You can inquire if anyone is seeking crew, and possibly post a notice that you are available to crew.
__________________
John
Ontario 32 - Aria
Free, is the heart, that lives not, in fear.
Full, is the spirit, that thinks not, of falling.
True, is the soul, that hesitates not, to give.
Alive, is the one, that believes, in love. JCP
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03-06-2008
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Toronto
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Guelph is inland, but is more or less equidistant from Erie, Huron and Ontario, so if you can drive a bit, you have plenty of choice. Probably Hamilton is your best best: check to see if a Hamilton club has a "learn-to-sail" course. My club, National, has an excellent course, but I'm in downtown Toronto.
Our Adult Keelboat courses basically combine class room and dock lessons with the opportunity to crew on club racers (Racing is a steep learning curve, but is probably the best way to learn). Here's the info:
National Yacht Club - Toronto - www.thenyc.com
Other clubs of a certain size will have similar courses.
Many yacht clubs try to create future members by discounting learn-to-sail courses, but you can become a "crew" member at a fraction of the cost, and can simply race on other peoples' boats or take out the club's boats, like Sharks, etc. Some people stay crew for decades and are highly sought-after, because they frequently know more about sailing than the skipper! Ask any racing skipper here: it is quite common to never own a boat of one's own and yet to be very good on the water.
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03-07-2008
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 79
Rep Power: 1
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I took the Basic Keelboat Cruising course at Humber Sailing School last summer. They have two new Hunter 31's and the level of instruction is second to none.
It is a little on the expensive side (think it was about $649.00) but because it is through an accredited college, you can claim your tuition costs on your taxes.
I'm actually looking at signing up for the desiel maintenance course in the fall.
If you have any questions about the course, PM me.
Dave
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“Jesus is coming.....LOOK BUSY!.”
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03-07-2008
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sarnia ON
Posts: 325
Rep Power: 3
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Generally speaking if you are young and interested you can find a crew position on a club race boat. I am in Sarnia and there is an adult learn to sail program in the evening but that is 2 hours from you.
Find out where the closest racing is and then go down to the club once the weather gets a little warmer and sailors are working on their boats. Just ask around they will likely direct you to a well known racer that can help you find a spot.
Another option is to go to a sail loft, their customers are generaly looking for crew, bulliten boards can work as well.
If you were closer I could help.
Good Luck
Gary
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03-07-2008
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 79
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Further to my earlier reply, one of the benefits of completing the course at Humber is that you are automatically eligible for membership in the Humber Sailing Club. With your membership you would then have unlimited use of the club boats, J24's, Sharks, Hunter 31's and a new Catalina 309. Plus you would then be able to enter race nights as crew and gain valuable experience that way.
Hope this helps
Dave
__________________
“Jesus is coming.....LOOK BUSY!.”
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