Where's the best place to learn in one month...?

[capoeirista]

Hi There -

My husband and I would like to spend a month somewhere in the Caribbean learning to sail. While we don't care about fancy digs (really at all - we can rent a room in an apartment - and it doesn't have to be particularly nice), we need wifi. Eventually we'd like to liveaboard, but we'd like to take a month off and just learn what we can for now.

We're from the US, and unfortunately don't speak any other languages passably.

We need the wifi because this will be a working vacation. We'll be able to spend most of our time away from the wifi, but it will be important to be able to handle whatever happens back home if needed. Work has been a bit grueling for us, and we cannot stop completely but we really need to get away.

Does anyone have any suggestions? We'd very much love to be able to completely untether from land, but not this time. Perhaps we could learn enough so that we could go bareboating next time? I have some sailing experience, my husband has very little but learns very quickly and loves it.

Looking forward to hearing your suggestions.

-Lee

[painkiller]

I think Colgate and some of the other schools have "branches" in the Carib. You might look into doing a couple of their one-week sailing and cruising courses. Some charter companies offer sailing lessons and a sailing certificate with their charters.

If you're not stuck on the Carib, Annapolis is a great area to learn to sail and spend a month (unless you're looking to do it this winter). Plenty of sailing schools, plenty of great places to sail and sail to, and several options for renting/chartering.

[imagine2frolic]

Check into the Virgin Gorda Yacht Club in the BVI. The BVI is a great place for first timers.......i2f

[NotQuiteCapnRon]

If you are looking for a warm weather vacation/sailing school, I agree the BVI is an excellent learning ground. Check out Rob Swain Sailing School. Welcome to Rob Swain Sailing School They provide training from dinghy on up, right there in Nanny Cay, Tortola. You can check it out at the website. Some of the more advanced classes will put you on a boat for 6 days, but the prerequisites can be done land based. Just call or email Gina and tell her what you have in mind...I think they will likely be willing to work something out that accommodates your idea...small and flexible operation. You probably want to look at something like a basic keelboat class and then a bareboat class to get started. That, and some experience should have you chartering on your own in the not too distant future.

They have wifi in Nanny Cay. Although dialect is occasionally tricky, English is the language of the BVI.

Ron

[Zanshin]

I second the recommondation regarding the Rob Swain Sailing School and Nanny Cay. You can stay on a boat (they can arrange that in the school) or on land at the hotel next to the docks (the school can arrange good rates) or elsewhere.

[smackdaddy]

Great info guys. We've decided to do the BVI charter/learn route as well. I had been looking at the Swain school and like what they offer. Looks like a great way to go.

[NotQuiteCapnRon]

Zanshin,

Just checked out your web page....What a coincidence! We chartered Solitaire in 2004. I got my bareboat certs at RSSS on Segue in 2006. Unfortunately, the fuel pump failed on Solitaire while we were picking up a ball in North Sound....we were moved to another boat mid-charter. Small world.

Ron

[imagine2frolic]

Originally Posted by smackdaddy

Great info guys. We've decided to do the BVI charter/learn route as well. I had been looking at the Swain school and like what they offer. Looks like a great way to go.

When will you be doing this? We will most likely be passing through on our way to the canal in late spring ......i2f

[Zanshin]

Originally Posted by NotQuiteCapnRon

.....What a coincidence! We chartered Solitaire in 2004. I got my bareboat certs at RSSS on Segue in 2006...
Ron

Lol - a small world indeed! The replacement fuel pump never gave me problems ; but I did lose a rudder once...
I enjoyed "Solitaire" while I had her and have even had moments of seller's regret (usually when seeing the price tags for things on the bigger boat). I have seen "Segue" around the BVI since she left Rob Swain's school; that 43DS did have occasionally roller-furling issues but apart from that was a fun boat to sail.

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

When will you be doing this? We will most likely be passing through on our way to the canal in late spring ......i2f

Probably in March, spring break for the kids. But we haven't nailed that down yet.

The canal??? Where are you guys headed? Sounds like some serious fun coming your way.