any Tampa Bay sailors?

[ByAirAndBySea]

My name is Jeremy. I am 34 and have a had a thing for the ocean since childhood. I have been a certified scuba diver for 16 years (cerified in the medditerranean, with 600+ diives all over the world, most of them in and around Guam), have held a pilots license for the last 10, and got a powerboat capt cert from the Navy (small boats of course).

For a while now I have read everything I could get my hands on about sailing. I love the idea and the adventure and freedom of non-petro based, wind powered sailing! My only problem is.....everything I have done was on a shoestring budget and usually involved a lot of trading time. Time rich cash poor that's me. At least until college is done (which I am finally getting back to).

My question is...is there anyone in the Tampa bay area..or even the east coast I guess (I live in the central florida, Lakeland/ winter haven/ lake wales area) with a sail boat that wouldn't mind a tag along that has a lot of book knowledge on sailing, practical knowledge on boating and navigation, but no practical hands-on knowledge of sailing? I can help with whatever u need help with...cleaning etc..I just want to learn sailing. Even if u are needing a hand for a couple days at a time I can arrange that (usually).

I have many skills, outstanding learning abilities and common sense. Any age, sex, color, creed, doesn't matter to me either... let me know and I will give u my contact info(or u can give me yours)... Thanks in advance!

[nolatom]

I don't know the Tampa area, but have found one of the quickest ways to get a ride is where there are racing fleets (Clearwater?), who are always looking for crew. Initially look for a larger boat where you're just "rail meat" (moveable ballast) and sailing experience not really needed, then you'll learn by watching, and pitching in more and more as you catch on. Racing's good because there's lots of boathandling, close-quarters situations, sailhandling, and discussion. And usually free beer afterwards on the way in, and maybe you get to steer.

As a pilot, you'll catch on to the science of why the boat with its two airfoils goes upwind, it's just getting the 'feel' of that science. i always found aviators easy to teach. And you're salty enough to have a powerboat ticket, so you're not the same as the average beginner to sailing.

And keep posting on sailing boards like this, you may get lucky there too.