ASA 101 - Basic Keelboat and the "Plan"

[aqwert5]

Wanted to let everyone know that my son (14) and I just passed our Basic Keelboat certification last weekend.

I apologize for the longer post in advance.

Although I haven't been sailing before, I used to have a huge love for the ocean in my younger days. So much so that on my honeymoon, we almost traded the 32ft motor home that my dad gave me (old) for a 32 foot boat. The plan was that we would sail her to Houston where I had a job lined up. Well, the company called and said they wanted me right away forcing us to cut our honeymoon short and the trip never happened.

A few kids later and we're back in California (Bay Area) and after already having backpacked (extended trips), hunted, fished and ocean kayaked with the family (mostly with the older kids), we've decided that since our kids are at the right age now, we'd give sailing another try.

Long term plan: We'd like to circumnavigate in about 10+ yrs.

Medium term plan: Coastal cruising and chartering in the S. Cal, Channel Islands, Pudget Sound and Mexico.

Short term plan: Instead of jumping in and buying a boat, I've decided that as many members of my family as possible (likely the two older kids + the admiral) will learn to sail (and get the certs). Plan is to sail as much as we can for at least a year (at least once if not twice a week during our extended -8 mo - sailing season) on as many different boats as we can. This way, we develop our own tastes, likes and dislikes which would hopefully help in our boat buying.

After looking at different schools, I've settled on Tradewinds Sailing Club in Richmond as their class costs are reasonable, but most of all for their unlimited use for a monthly payment. The way it basically works is that you pay a day's rental fee on a monthly basis and get to take that size boat out as many times as you'd like.

Near term plan: Sail the Capri 22s for as long as it takes to have all the maneuvers ingrained (tacking, jibing, MOB...) so that it becomes second nature. I'm hoping that this will be 10 days (@ 10 hrs/day) if we can adhere to a practice plan whereby most of our outing is practice related. Which is likely possible due to the confined sailing area allowed by the club for these boats.

Once comfortable, we'll be taking the 102 class, and then the 103 when ready (probably mid summer). Not quite sure about the 104 and 105 class but I'm shooting to take them in the summer next year.

Since I'm leaning towards Cats as a possible boat purchase in 1-2 years, I'll likely get that cert as well.

Please note that this is just a plan and we reserve the right, and will most likely then not, to modify it as circumstances change.

Your comments/inputs are welcome.

-Dave

[smackdaddy]

Dude that sounds like a pretty brilliant plan to me. Very well thought out.

You guys have some fun times ahead!

[sailingdog]

Sounds like a well thought out plan.

One thing to consider is volunteering or working at the sailing club doing maintenance, since that will also give you a head start on the non-sailing side of the skills you'll need for cruising. Learning to deal with engines—both diesel and gasoline; fiberglass repair; electrical work; plumbing; etc, is going to be very useful when you get to the point of owning a boat. The more work you can do on it yourself, the lower the cost of ownership will usually be. You'll also have a better idea of how your boat is setup and how you can fix it when something goes wrong.

[BC100700]

+1 on the good plan.
I have a similar plan except for the circumnavigation part of it (yet), mostly cruising the Great Lakes in the summers. I am looking at some sailing schools here on Lake Michigan and would like to start them this summer. My kids are a little young still to take the courses, so it will be just my wife and I, whatever becomes of it, I see it as good quality time together.

I am also looking for a small boat for honing technique that I can use at my in-laws lake (found a pretty good deal on an Oday Javelin 14 that I will take a look at) and hopefully get the kids interested that way, and by spending weekends chartering.

Good Luck.

[sck5]

i like your plan too - but there is no ASA 102. The sequence jumps to 103 after 101. Why? Nobody I asked around annapolis had any idea. go figure.

[aqwert5]

Originally Posted by sck5

i like your plan too - but there is no ASA 102. The sequence jumps to 103 after 101. Why? Nobody I asked around annapolis had any idea. go figure.

You are quite right, that's what i get for assuming things. I guess is should have read: 103 and 104.

Thanks,

[Freesail99]

I'm sorry whenever I read "Long term plan We'd like to circumnavigate in about 10+ yrs" I roll my eyes. Why is it people who have barely stepped foot on a boat always are the ones who plan to sail around the world? Why is never we like to first explore the west coast of Mexico and Baja before possibly heading down to South America? Dream but be real, it's nice to be a little grounded. My .02 I been around this forum for a while.

[GeorgeB]

Don’t listen to Freesail! Proceed directly to the South Pacific. You won’t like Baja – anchorages too crowded, not enough shade and all the people speak some sort of foreign language. Trust me, Mexico is best left to guys like me.

But seriously, how do you like the Capri?I saw one couple of years ago at the boat show and fell in love. Was thinking of buying one and campaigning her in the Bay to go against the Tuna boats and Wabbits. How many Capris are in Richmond's program? Do you plan on learning to use the spinnaker?

[aqwert5]

Originally Posted by Freesail99

I'm sorry whenever I read "Long term plan We'd like to circumnavigate in about 10+ yrs" I roll my eyes. Why is it people who have barely stepped foot on a boat always are the ones who plan to sail around the world? Why is never we like to first explore the west coast of Mexico and Baja before possibly heading down to South America? Dream but be real, it's nice to be a little grounded. My .02 I been around this forum for a while.

I understand what you're saying. I actually meant to say that any long ocean crossing won't happen for at least 10 yrs if at all. Right now, we're approaching this whole thing as another "adventure" (i.e. fun thing) to do with the family, rather the a rigid plan.

But to tell you the truth, that's how I approach things, dream big, and lean and gain the necessary skills to do it if I choose to. Doesn't mean that I'll actually do it, but I'd be prepared to.

That's how I've approached backpacking, with my plan being that I may want to do the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) 2,600 miles when my oldest son will be 18. Will I do it then or later, or at all it doesn't matter. All the time spent with my family working towards the goal is the important part.

I've approached my professional career the same way. Without the ability to go to school (finances, marriage and other circumstances) I've decided that I want to be in high tech, and not just any but in telecommunications. My sights were on management. It took a lot of hard work and preparation, working my way up, but I've reached Director level and I manage guys with PHDs. It's not that I'm better, but I had a plan and determination to make it work. Some people operate better that way.

Regards,
Dave

[aqwert5]

But seriously, how do you like the Capri?I saw one couple of years ago at the boat show and fell in love. Was thinking of buying one and campaigning her in the Bay to go against the Tuna boats and Wabbits. How many Capris are in Richmond's program? Do you plan on learning to use the spinnaker?[/QUOTE]

You're not that lucky, I do plan to spend time down there, quite a bit actually.

So far I love the Capri, it's a sturdy and agile little boat. I was actually looking at buying one (~$5,000) but decided that I needed a bigger boat for the family. Wife can't stand the thought of staying home on weekends the whole summer. As such, I'd like to move up to a 28-32 ft boat sooner then later. Hence the "all out" practice plan on these 22s.

Tradewinds has 7 Capri 22s, decently setup at $160/day or per month depending which plan you choose. I think learning to Kite on these boats would be cool. I'll have to ask and see if they allow it. I haven't seen any classes teaching it though.

-Dave