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Go Back   SailNet Community > General Interest Forums > Learning to Sail
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Old 10-14-2009
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Start Now or wait for Spring?

I have recently decided that I would like to learn to sail. I am in the Northwest and was wondering if I should sign up for a class now or wait for the winter to be over and take a class in the spring.

Will I be able to practice sailing in the winter in Portland, OR?
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Old 10-14-2009
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You might consider taking a coastal navigation course.
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Old 10-15-2009
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Start now - you'll learn quite a bit that you can mull over during the winter and have a better idea of what else you need to learn in the spring.
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Old 10-15-2009
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I had the same questions for myself here in Minnesota but, I took the class and as jackdale is suggesting I am taking a coastal navigation class to get me through the winter. Possibly a weather and/or radar course this winter as well. I would take the class now just to get the experience though I have no idea about sailing in the winter there. I do know in MN it is a bit tough to sail in winter........
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Old 10-15-2009
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I've actually kicked this around for a few years now. seems when the time is right to go learn i end up talking myself out of it. this year I am committed to start the training in spring. most of the lessons here are all closed up and boats are coming off of the water.
I did take a few minor classes before over the winter season. marlinspiking and what not.
where would one go for a coastal nav course?
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Old 10-15-2009
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I live in Minnesota. A few years ago, I took ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat) in the fall. I knew I wanted to take ASA 103/104 (Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Chartering), but I didn't want to wait until the spring. I went south and took them in the winter, and am very happy I did. Of course, I couldn't sail once I got back to MN in the winter, but was more prepared come spring.
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Old 10-15-2009
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the USPower Squadron has free boating classes. you pay for the materials only. then if you join, they have seamanship, piloting,advanced piloting junior navigator & senior navigator which are celestial navigation. also engine maintenance, weather, electronics, cruise planing,etc. i have taken them all & taught some of them. it gives you a good background. the duluth sail and power squadron has these classes every winter.
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Old 10-15-2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by avenger79 View Post
I've actually kicked this around for a few years now. seems when the time is right to go learn i end up talking myself out of it. this year I am committed to start the training in spring. most of the lessons here are all closed up and boats are coming off of the water.
I did take a few minor classes before over the winter season. marlinspiking and what not.
where would one go for a coastal nav course?
You don't say where you're from. Try

Find a Sailing School - American Sailing Association

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Old 10-15-2009
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I'm from Wisconsin. I actually have the power squadron site for my area bookmarked. Haven't gotten down there to actually join yet. Maybe this is the perfect time to start getting my stuff in order.

Not sure why but I was thinking it would be better to have a boat before joining.
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Old 10-15-2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by avenger79 View Post
I'm from Wisconsin. I actually have the power squadron site for my area bookmarked. Haven't gotten down there to actually join yet. Maybe this is the perfect time to start getting my stuff in order.

Not sure why but I was thinking it would be better to have a boat before joining.
Just do it. Taking lessons is a lot cheaper way to find out if you're going to like boating than buying a boat.

I'm biased to ASA schools:


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