How did you get your start in sailing?

[twinsdad]

Back in 1973, I was at summer camp, and not particularly good at all the "usual" sports. They had a few sunfish, and it looked like fun. From there, started sailing on a 12 1/2 foot sloop (Montgomery '12). Did a little racing in college (NYU) and then didn't really have opportunities for a while. Eventually, I was thinking of getting a weekend house, but thought living on a boat weekends in Sag Harbor (Eastern Long Island) would be more fun. Bought a used Express 34 and it was a great time. Moved on to a cruising catamaran for the family, and still love getting out there.

[amyspins]

Twinsdad, looks like you are reviving an old post.

I got into sailing just last summer, 2011, at the age of 45. My dad gave me his old boat that he couldn't sail anymore. Because I did not live near, I was never able to go sailing with him. Instead of getting that boat sailable, I bought an old Catalina 27, launched it, and took a few lessons. Then I spent the summer sailing around in Fisher's Island Sound.

What a lot of time I've wasted! I love sailing- can't wait to get back out on the water this summer and expand my horizons.

[twinsdad]

Where do you sail out of? I'm not that far away, sail in Western Long Island Sound. The area by Fisher Island Sound is among my favorite places. Love visiting Mystic, Stonington, etc.

[amyspins]

I had my boat moored in Noank at Spicers last summer - plan to do the same this summer, assuming I get the boat. I love Mystic- it was a great place to learn to sail. Now If only I could learn how to dock-

I put an offer on a Hereshoff H-28 fiberglass - waiting for it to warm enough up in Maine for her to get surveyed- then I'll have to work on getting her down here! Not experienced enough yet to do that by myself.

[dacap06]

I learned the basics of dinghy sailing as a kid when I went to Summer Camp in Minnesota. They had their own program that taught us what we needed to know to do day sailing safely on small lakes, but were always accompanied by a counsellor. However, it was far from complete and was not certified by anyone. Then came a 20 year hiatus.

I am a big believer in getting some training before tackling something so I know what I am doing. I took two CYA courses while I was a NATO exchange officer stationed at the Royal Military College in Ontario. They had some small keel boats I could sail. The two CYA courses are equivalent to ASA courses, and you can in fact get credit for them in the ASA system (and vice versa). They had a couple of 17 foot day sailors with some sort of keel (O'Day, maybe?) and a Tanzer 22.

[LemonHead]

I guess there are a couple of boxes I could check...

I grew up sailing with friends at Boy Scouts and completed the sailing merit badge. Then when I was a little older I went to sail at the BSA Florida Seabase twice. I still have a lot of memories from those trips and recently decided to buy a boat and go for it. I also have a 5 year old who helped to influence that decision

[KnottyGurl]

I was a kid maybe 8 or 9 years old, father had a DS 16 that summer, next summer was a Challenger 23 then next summer was a mirage 26 then northern 29 at 13 I got a laser for my self which I would launch from the laser dock at our yacht club, that same year I took sailing school, was in youth racing program for the next 5 years, and sailed hobie cats from 14 - 18 feet along with the Wednesday night racing with Father.
Fast forward 20 years and had a boat offered to me for exchange for work, did the swap and haven't looked back since two boats later I am with current boat and can not wait to get her back in the wet stuff.

[MarkSF]

Like this :



Norfolk Broads, 1980. Major the border terrier is helping. Only now do I appreciate what a great boat that gunter rig dinghy was. Took seconds to get the mast and the sail up. The centre of effort of the sail is very low so the boat is very stable in a puff. No jib to worry about. In a puff you just leaned back, pulled on the sheet, and it would take off like a rocket.

[Parley]

Right on Plumper. I was about 11 I think when I went out on a small lake in a Sunflower which was a styrofoam contraption making a Sunfish look like a Club Swan 42. Those 2 hours more than 35 years ago did it for me.

Her's a link to a picture of a Sunflower... I can't believe they are still made!

OMG. There it is! I too learned on the Sunflower. Boy Scouts, Camp Kit Carson. Sailed one of those all over whatever lake that was in the Sierra Nevada some 35+ yrs ago.

[Parley]

Oops. Beginning was quoting CS271409. Still figuring out SN on iPhone. ;(