How did you get your start in sailing?

[Stryker72]

A friend took me out on his brothers Pearson 26 about 9 years ago for a quick sail on Lake Michigan, I loved it. Last year I decided it was time to sail on my own and bought an old Butterfly from a co-worker, read a book and then sailed. It was great, I joined a community sailing center and took a class towards the end of the summer. This year I bought a 14' O'day javelin to add to my little fleet and will introduce my family to the joys of sailing.

as an aside, I intend to give my two year old son the opportunity I didn't have and get him sailing as soon as it is practical.

[brak]

I never set foot on a boat before then. A friend bought a racing sailboat (Mirage 35, I beleive) and I went out sailing one day. And that was it for me. It was over 10 years ago. I bought my first sailboat - Beneteau 235, shortly thereafter, but steadily moved to cruising boats since (turns out I like working on them).

I did take ASA courses and probably still have my book with little stamps somewhere out there.

[Insails]

I started as a job with perks Worked on a 70ft Schooner with three others for 2 years as the owner wanted to "own his dream" She was traditionally rigged..Sailed the Gulf of Mexico,the Atlantic from the Islands to Newfoundland. Have always lived near the sea became a certified diver at age 14...

[wingNwing]

Had a kitchen design-remodel company in Colorado, wife's colleague had Catalina 24 & asked if I could relaminate the galley countertop. It was such a small job I was almost embarassed to charge for it. Having grown up in Kansas, I knew nothing about sailboats, so asked the colleague if instead of $$ he could take us out sailing for an afternoon ... HOOKED instantly!

[Giulietta]

at age 50, I had never sailed before after moving from Central Europe to Portugal, in fact I had never seen the sea before..and knew nothing about sailing..

So I came to sailnet, posted a really stupid question like what boat to buy with $45 US dolars, that was blue water and capable of liveaboard and go to Somalia...

I then got lot of good answers on what boat to buy...a Valiant built in 1325, with roller furler, mast winches, closed cockpit (no sugar scoops), and 10 anchors, all on chain...ahh the hull is 45 inches thick...a good thing....and off course, the all practical sailing quality improving wood decoration both inside and outside...bow sprit in wood optional...

I jumped in, and set sail, as I was recommneded by someone here...

[SantaSailor]

I was involved with power boats and canoes at a young age but no sails.
While in the military I got a 4 day pass with my crew and they dragged me onto a 22 ft catalina. I didn't think much of it but since they brought the beer and 2 of them didn't drink, (even had designated drivers back then) I went along. Once we killed the outboard, I was impressed. One of the crew was a licenced captain and he saw my interest and just started teaching me how to do it... Over the rest of my tour we tried to get in some sailing when ever we got a couple of days off. That lead to my buying a 30 ft S2 after selling my house in a divorce and have been living on it since. So I'm not sure if that is formal training or just going for it with friends...

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by Giulietta

at age 50, I had never sailed before after moving from Central Europe to Portugal, in fact I had never seen the sea before..and knew nothing about sailing..

So I came to sailnet, posted a really stupid question like what boat to buy with $45 US dolars, that was blue water and capable of liveaboard and go to Somalia...

I then got lot of good answers on what boat to buy...a Valiant built in 1325, with roller furler, mast winches, closed cockpit (no sugar scoops), and 10 anchors, all on chain...ahh the hull is 45 inches thick...a good thing....and off course, the all practical sailing quality improving wood decoration both inside and outside...bow sprit in wood optional...

I jumped in, and set sail, as I was recommneded by someone here...

Is that the boat you sold before you got the one you have now?