"Walking the docks"

[severnmd]

I am brand spanking new to sailing.....havent' even been out yet. Taking a class in B-more next weekend. But, I am dying to get out there and learn. I keep hearing to just "walk the docks" and ask around. Is it really that simple? I am a pretty nice guy, but I am kind of apprehensive of just walking up to total strangers and offering my services. ( so to speak! haha)

I will seriously do any crap job on a boat, I just want to get to Annapolis or Baltimore and get some experience to see if this really is for me. I love being on the water as I grew up near a pretty big lake, but now, I am ready to try my hand at sailing and hope it is something I really enjoy.

Thanks for any info and have a good one!

[imagine2frolic]

I believe most people making that reference are talking about getting crew positions racing. I know if you approached me on the dock. I would be thinking axe murderer. ..........i2f

[sawingknots]

cold beer is a good ice breaker,no sailor can pass up

[TejasSailer]

I think that if you walk the docks and simply say "good morning" or "good afternoon" to a few folks and if a conversation follows, there might be a lot to learn. I don't know all that much, but I've taken the time to talk to dock-walkers who seem interested and ask even basic questions.

[severnmd]

lol....thanks for the advice. I am looking forward to getting out there and seeing what it's all about.

[centaursailor]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

I believe most people making that reference are talking about getting crew positions racing. I know if you approached me on the dock. I would be thinking axe murderer. ..........i2f

Always plenty to time to have the craic with passers by here in Balbriggan harbour, was talking to a Russian gym instructor only yesterday.
Don,t get too many axe murderers but they probably don,t enjoy a relaxing passtime like sailing anyway.
Safe sailing

[imagine2frolic]

Taking the time to get to know someone is a wee bit different than just asking for a sail. Then again I come from the ghetto, and we grow up being a wee bit suspicious of everyone .........i2f

[paul323]

Most sailors are helpful to an interested novice such as yourself, so walking the docks is a good idea...another thing I would suggest is that in many places Wednesday 'beer can' races (typically informal, fun races) take place, and they welcome additional crew, even inexperienced ones!

[richardbur10]

Walking the docks is a good idea. An even better idea is walking around the boatyard and offering a hand to someone who is working on their boat. Strike up a conversation, offer to help out if needed. You might find a crew spot when the boat is launched.

[Sailormon6]

Walking the docks is probably best done between 5-6 pm Wednesday evenings, when boats are going out to race, or on Saturday or Sunday mornings, when weekend sailors are preparing to go out. Sailors love to talk about sailing, so feel free to strike up a conversation about sailing with the weekend sailors. Tell them you're taking lessons.

I have invited many people to sail with me, and introduced them to sailing in that way, and have enjoyed seeing them running down the docks 2-3 weeks later, excitedly telling me they bought a boat.