Starting out questions

max924 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-15-2010

Hello all, I am looking to get into sailing. I live on Lake Huron in a small town called Port Elgin on the Canadian side. I have taken a very basic sailing course which gave me a white sail 3 qualification and now would like to buy my own boat.

My question is what type of boat is best for me to learn. From reading other threads it appears a laser or similar will give me the best experience which is what I am looking for. I would like to sail a hobie or similar catamaran but am unsure if it will provide the same sailing experience. My goal down the road is to get a keelboat cruiser or cruiser catamaran.

To help sum up I am 26 yrs old, in good shape, willing to get wet, have very basic sailing skills, and will be sailing on Lake Huron, what kind of boat would you recommend!

Thanks in advance, Max

puddinlegs · #2 (**permalink**) 05-15-2010

Laser... there you go! Have fun! (Great boat and raced at very high levels for people weighing up to about 180-185 lbs. If you're more, it's still a great boat to learn on, you just won't be fast if it isn't blowing.

CrazyRu · #3 (**permalink**) 05-16-2010

I think that sailing catamaran is some sort of genetic disorder. However if you feel strong urge to get two hulled boat, don’t suppress it. Catamarans are fun. Hobie Wave is entry level catamaran. It can be boring, stable and predictable; however it is as fast as Laser. Or get yourself Mystere 4.3 . The boat is popular in your region and it is built in Canada. It has all goodies. It can be sailed solo with mainsail only, or as sloop, or, for learning some exciting stuff, with gennaker. Boat is small enough to be not much intimidating for novice crew.

cb32863 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-16-2010

If there is a local boat club that for your membership fee you can use their boats, that is a good way to get exposed to sailing. Find a local club or meet up also as they will generally have people looking to get together and sail. I have taken this route and it has worked well for me. Talk to folks at the docks and see if you can go out sometime with them and crew. Good luck and welcome!

ssneade · #5 (**permalink**) 05-16-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb32863

If there is a local boat club that for your membership fee you can use their boats, that is a good way to get exposed to sailing. Find a local club or meet up also as they will generally have people looking to get together and sail. I have taken this route and it has worked well for me. Talk to folks at the docks and see if you can go out sometime with them and crew. Good luck and welcome!

good advice, cb. it really depends if ya wanna race, or cruise. some good solid sailing with an experienced skipper will show you a lot of what goes into the art. but if yer just wanting to cruise, and ya got a pair, go by yerself a keelboat and be done with it. motor out where you can safely practice, and have at it. with what you learned, you should be able to make her go. the rest is finesse. be bold. be brave. be careful.

good luck and welcome to our world......

max924 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-16-2010

Thanks for the advice! I shall definitely look into any local sailing clubs. I've always had a small attraction to catamarans... it must be genetic, but I think I am leaning towards a laser if I go the route of getting a small boat first.

Max

KRCSWO · #7 (**permalink**) 05-17-2010

I would suggest that you get a small boat (laser, hobie cat, etc) that you can sail yourself for fun/practice and would also encourage you to check with local yacht clubs and see if you can't become part of a race crew for their weekly races.

If you can show up consistently, are able bodied and want to learn it should be hard to find a ride.

If you help prep the boat before going out and help put everything back in order after the race (and maybe bring beer occasionally) then you should be able to race as much as you like.

It's a great way to get experience on keelboats.