Help! Where to start???

[sailin23]

Michael-DEFINATELY AN OUTBOARD! inboards are fine, but it is SO much easier to fix an outboard, or find out what''s wrong with it, or whatever. If it''s your first boat I''d go with used, but take an experienced sailor with you when you look at the used boat to buy it, because some rude people DO try to rip you off out there! Good luck & happy sailing!

Lane

[Jeff_H]

Actually I have always found inboards easier to diagnose and to work on, especially in an emergency. This is one of those subjects where there is a real diversity of opinion. If you are handy and expect to do your own work, then inboards are way more reliable, the parts last much longer and regular maintenance tasks are less of a chore.

If you need to count on others to work on your engine then it is nice to be able to drop the engine off at a repair place and have them fix it.

Jeff

[neilstainton]

Good day

I want to learn how to sail and have never sailed before. I come from a country called Namibia, in Africa. We have almost no inland water sources that are big enough for sailing(Only two to be exact.) This means that I will have to learn to sail on reasonably small lakes. First question, what boat do you suggest that I learn on and secondly, basically what sould I do?