sailing schools-vs-seat of your pants learning to sail

[sonian]

Tybee,
Get a dink like a Sunfish out on a lake. Major lessons about the physics of sailing become clear in minutes. I aspire to cruising someday, but my first boat (purchased in February) is mere Hunter 170 daysailer. Didn''t stop me from getting a handheld VHF, reading up on rules of the road, and sailing the ICW at St Augustine, FL two days over Memorial Day weekend. Saw and learned firsthand about tides, scheduled bridge openings and leeway all in one moment. Seat of your pants sailing can be great, if you do it safely. Mike G.
Alachua, FL

[hrae]

i''ve been sailing for 3 years and i''ve tried a little of everything. i''ve read books which can be very interesting. but how far can you sail inside your head? i''ve taken classes which can be helpful. but the actual helm time you get is so short. they are more like a guided tour of what you need to learn.
i have found the best way to learn to sail is to invite someone who has a lot of experience onto a boat with you. and as soon as you are far enough from shore that they can''t swim for it...start asking a million questions.

[hrae]

oh, and when you get back, definitely buy them a cup of coffee or a stiff drink. whichever they need most.