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I've never sailed in my life... talk me into it.

8K views 48 replies 21 participants last post by  AncientTech 
#1 · (Edited)
So, I moved to the D.C. area about 2 yrs ago with my wife. A few months ago we we decided to stay here for the long haul and I began searching for boats (My wife's brother has a powerboat and I love going out on the Potomac).

After looking for a while I realized I wanted a sailboat more than a powerboat. I want a boat for cruising and grilling etc, hopefully building up to some decent length trips. I don't want a crappy used powerboat to just fly around and have no real fun.

Should I take a course at the local marina? What are your guys opinions for getting started?
 
#2 ·
I would consider joining something like the chesapeake boating club. They are associated with a sailing school to get you started. Joining the club gives you unlimited access to their boats and at higher membership levels you get access to the larger cruisers. Strikes me as a great way to get some experience and figure out what you want/need before you go all-in.

I believe there are other similar organizations around, and someone told me there is one in Alexandria, although I have no details.
 
#5 ·
Its not all cookouts and daysails. Its also equipment breakages, haulouts, and expensive marina bills. Try before you buy!
AGREED! Also, know before you buy. Take a weekend class to learn how to sail and learn the rules of the road, your legal responsibilities as a boat owner, ask questions about what to expect financially. Lurk around this forum (especially in the Learn to Sail and Seamanship forums). There is a lot of great information for new boaters.

Honestly, my first thought when I saw "...talk me into it." in your subject line was "Why? If you're reluctant, just don't do it." If you need to be talked into spending your free time doing repairs, upgrades, maintenance, learning about rigging, discovering just how expensive replacement parts can be, worrying about your boat during hurricanes, learning about what equipment is legally required, etc. then you won't be happy as a sailboat owner.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
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#6 ·
Try it ! Admittedly I'm biased since I coach here... The Sailing Academy and Captial Sailing Club located 30 minutes from the beltway in Tracy's Landing MD. We have basic to advanced and the sailing club is a great value..you can concentrate on learning to sail and try different boats without doing any maintenance and then make the leap to your own boat..... :)
There are also other places like ours so go visit them, meet the coaches and see the boats.....
enjoy
 
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#8 ·
You'll either love it or hate it, no middle ground. Sailing is great beacuase you are moving in harmony with nature, the ocean or river, the universe. When you actually get from point A to B using nothing but the elements and grace, you feel......well.... a wonderfull sense of accomplishment. You've done something a lot people either can't or don't have the patients to. It never ceases to amaze me when I sail into some place that "I actually sailed all the way here" It leaves you feeling a sense of connection with ancient man. Keep it simple. Good hull, stout rig, decent sails and a rudder that goes back and forth when you push and pull on the tiller. All these repairs and costs every body is whining about comes from all the pressure pumps, and electrical gadgets they fill their boats with to make it more like a house. They need water to come on automatically when they open the faucet. they need a.c. and gen sets to charge battery's for the electrical pump they need to move water automatically. Keep it simple! $4000 will get a good little sloop. A little catalina with a shoal draft or a macgreggor 26 on a trailer. Cheap and easy to handle and maintain. What do you have to lose? better to have tried and failed than never tried at all.
 
#10 ·
All these repairs and costs every body is whining about comes from all the pressure pumps, and electrical gadgets they fill their boats with to make it more like a house. Keep it simple! $4000 will get a good little sloop. A little catalina with a shoal draft or a macgreggor 26 on a trailer. Cheap and easy to handle and maintain. What do you have to lose? better to have tried and failed than never tried at all.
This helps. I don't need the boat to be a house. Just like when I go camping I bring only a tent and minimal supplies (I wouldn't even bring the tent if it weren't for the Mrs.) I have been looking at boats for about 7 months. In the last month or so I started realizing everything I wanted out of a boat pointed towards a sailboat. Then I realized everything I wanted out of boating aligned with sailing. The best part of going out with my brother in law was when we would get to the no wake zones and I could just take in the nature and feel the breeze and not be whipping through the water. What got me to post this was this boat: moving, must sell: beloved Windrose 24' sailboat, with dock slip it seems so perfect for what I want and the 5word month's of paid slip is nice. Too bad he's in a rush to sell because it gives me no chance.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Let's clarify some terminology- there is "sailing" and there is "cruising."
Sailing is fun. Cruising is a different kind of fun, requiring a different mindset.

Sailing is like driving a 10 000 lb. truck down a winding icy mountain road with bald tires and no brakes. if you know what you're doing, or believe you know what you're doing, it is a whole LOT of fun. If you're clueless, it can get real unfun real quick. At the very least, start by crewing on a boat during the local clubs regular weekly races. EVERY skipper is ALWAYS looking for fresh railmeat, either to replace crew or to simply find a greenhorn who doesn't know that the skipper is a moron.
If you like it, then consider buying a boat of your own, and take at least a basic keelboat course so you aren't a danger to yourself or others. You're boating in a busy area. Remember: big truck, downhill, icy, no brakes, bald tires.
Don't work backwards, and buy a boat then decide whether you are going to like it.
Once you're good with sailing, now it's time to find out how you feel about cruising.
How do you know if you'll like cruising?
Try a cruising simulation:
1.Empty your clothes closet and dresser into the tub. Turn on the shower for 10 seconds.
2. Remove clothes, pack in garbage bags, park them in corner of your kitchen.
3. stuff a phone book under one leg of the table and smaller books under one leg of each chair. Every couple of hours, move the books to different legs.
4. Make sure there are fewer chairs than people.
5. Remove the hot water knob. Leave hot water dripping slightly.
6. Remove three burners from the stove.
7. Unplug the fridge.
8. Remove the toilet seat. Take toilet seat to kitchen. Put toilet seat on 5 gallon bucket. With a book wedged under one corner. Bathroom is now off limits. Except for fully clothed cold showers. Twice daily.
9. Sleep on the countertops.
10. Set all timers and alarms in house to go off at random times.
11. At least once a day, tear up three $100 bills.
12. Carefully plan your meals. Remove all other food from kitchen. Take one quarter of your provisions and place in sink under dripping hot water.

Lock yourself and your spouse in the kitchen on Friday night. If both of you come out and at least one of you is smiling on Sunday night... you might like cruising.
 
#11 ·
Let's clarify some terminology- there is "sailing" and there is "cruising."
Sailing is fun. Cruising is a different kind of fun, requiring a different mindset.

Sailing is like driving a 10 000 truck down a winding icy mountain road with bald tires and no brakes. if you know what you're doing, or believe you know what you're doing, it is a whole LOT of fun. If you're clueless, it can get real unfun real quick. At the very least, start by crewing on a boat during the local clubs regular weekly races. EVERY skipper is ALWAYS looking for fresh railmeat, either to replace crew or to simply find a greenhorn who doesn't know that the skipper is a moron.
If you like it, then consider buying a boat of your own, and take at least a basic keelboat course so you aren't a danger to yourself or others. You're boating in a busy area. Remember: big truck, downhill, icy, no brakes, bald tires.
Don't work backwards, and buy a boat then decide whether you are going to like it.
Once you're good with sailing, now it's time to find out how you feel about cruising.
How do you know if you'll like cruising?
Try a cruising simulation:
1.Empty your clothes closet and dresser into the tub. Turn on the shower for 10 seconds.
2. Remove clothes, pack in garbage bags, park them in corner of your kitchen.
3. stuff a phone book under one leg of the table and smaller books under one leg of each chair. Every couple of hours, move the books to different legs.
4. Make sure there are fewer chairs than people.
5. Remove the hot water knob. Leave hot water dripping slightly.
6. Remove three burners from the stove.
7. Unplug the fridge.
8. Remove the toilet seat. Take toilet seat to kitchen. Put toilet seat on 5 gallon bucket. With a book wedged under one corner. Bathroom is now off limits. Except for fully clothed cold showers. Twice daily.
9. Sleep on the countertops.
10. Set all timers and alarms in house to go off at random times.
11. At least once a day, tear up three $100 bills.
12. Carefully plan your meals. Remove all other food from kitchen. Take one quarter of your provisions and place in sink under dripping hot water.

Lock yourself and your spouse in the kitchen on Friday night. If both of you come out and at least one of you is smiling on Sunday night... you might like cruising.
Eeek ha.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Don't get attached to any one boat or buy under time pressure. Watch the Annapolis/B-more/eastern shore craigslists for a month and you will see tons of good simple boats in you price range. Read the sticky thread about doing your own survey and go visit a couple likely boats - you will quickly see what looks well cared-for, as well as learn how to dig in the corners (how do the keelbolts look? Are the backings of the chainplates accessible? Bottom of bulkheads or portlights show signs of water?) Capt. Aaron's advice to keep it real simple is dead-on. Oh, and run the motor and sail before you buy.

Doing this summer as a club member and crewing on as many different kinds of boats as possible, then buying in the fall is a good idea.

What about my answer to the original question - "Talk me into it..."? No need. Sail once. If you're hooked, you're hooked :)
 
#14 ·
The best advice so far is to look into clubs, lessons, and shares. You'll get experience, make sailing connections, get to sail on different boats, and figure out what you do/don't like. Then you're already sailing, the pressure to "buy now" is off, and you can wait for the right deal at the right time.

As far as talk you into to... I can't do that. The wind either calls you, or it doesn't. If it doesn't no amount of cajoling will talk you into it. And if it does ... nothing can talk you out of it.
 
#18 ·
I jumped in. After 6 months of looking at boats and reading every training book I could find, I pulled the trigger. No regrets. One of the best things I have done for my inner Zen. Still learning and I hope I always will be. I would post more, but I am ditching this work computer and heading out to my boat. Good luck!
 
#22 ·
if you going to go looking for a boat to own, try this it has a lot of good info, How To Do your Own Marine Survey by a Marine Surveyor and if you get a boat read this as well Compass Marine "How To" Articles Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com and make sure to learn this Need Butyl Tape ?? Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com stuff, as per you own post your going to do it, i hope you like it and i hope you learn how to be safe on the water.

The above links are not my work and i take no credit for the content, they are the work of the owners.:)
 
#23 ·
Jesus Donna, way to crush his enthusiasm. ;)

Stego- Send me a PM. Come out to Annapolis sometime this week, or on a near-future weekend, and I'll take you and your "significant other" out for a day-sail.

We'll talk about the kind of sailing you think you want to do, maybe a little about your budget, and what kind of sailboats meet those criteria. Then you can bring that perspective to the forum and run it by some of the people here to get a broader spectrum of opinions.

Sailing is friggin' magical. Whether you race, day-sail or long-haul cruise, it's awesome. Someone earlier said "You'll love it or hate it". I agree with that. I love it, and I'm addicted. It's going on 3 years for me, and it's all I ever think about.

I visit my dock almost daily to check on the boat, sail, or just lounge on her, to put distance between myself and modern society's daily BS. The water is the only place that I really feel free.
 
#27 ·
If you haven't heard the warnings by now there's no hope, you are likely stubburn enough to make a sailor.
I recall leaning down into a bielge to ask a senior boatwright if I should buy another boat he had refastened some years earlier. He gave me a sort of mixed grumbling review so asked again: "Are you saying I should walk away from it sir?"
He rolled out from beneath the companionway covered in black. "No, not at all." He added most calmly. "I'm saying you should *#*+ing RUN AWAY FROM IT!!!" He yelled in all earnest.
 
#29 ·
Once you get through with the work and writing the checks, at the end of the day there's nothing finer than having fine food and your beverage of choice in a quiet anchorage watching the bald eagles soar above you and the rays play beside your hull as the sun sets.

But tranquility comes at a price. Whether it's the hours of learning in the classroom and on the boat or the cost of replacing all those things you thought for sure would hang in there one more year. For most people, sailing is a safe and fantastic pastime but you don't get something for nothing.
 
#31 · (Edited)
Hey, don't let anyone talk you out of buying a little sloop and sailing around on it. Some cruisers that have the horror story's probably just aren't that good at it. A lot of them got in to the game late, after a life time in the 'burbs and didn't have an apparent aptitude for it. Now that they have passed a huge and expensive learning curve, they are so proud of them selves they don't think some other dude can come along and just do it. Buy a little sloop on a trailer, keep in your drive way. If the standing rigging is rusty and has broken stands, go to the store and buy some wire and terminal ends. I'm a rigger by trade and belive me, it's not rocket science. Get a little macgregor, it's cheap for the running and standing rig. The boat allready knows how to sail itself, go out on a protected lake or sound and pull on lines till the sails stop flapp'n and you start moving. Take a boating safety class and join a sail club. Do you actually think that there are thousands of people out there doing it but for some reason you can't? Ofcourse not. Get a little japanese out board to get you out of trouble. it's so easy it's stupid. And if you keep it simple it's not expensive.
 
#33 ·
....... The boat allready knows how to sail itself, go out on a protected lake or sound and pull on lines till the sails stop flapp'n and you start moveing...................
That's funny all by itself... lol.
 
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#32 · (Edited)
Oh. and whatever you do, please don't enter the sailing community via the race crowd!! Having some dick wad in a blue fleece vest screaming at you to do something any self respecting sailor should be able to do them selves, and quietly, is likey to sour your experience and turn you a way from the whole thing.
 
#38 ·
Hey, I resemble that remark. (Except for the yelling) :D

I've gotten a few new arrivals to this forum into sailing by crewing for me. They seem to like it well enough.

Don't get me wrong, I love cruising too. It's one reason why I'm not winning more races- I can't seem to strip enough cruising crap off of my boat to lighten it up. I like using my fresh water system, my shore power system, my stove, my stereo, etc...:eek:
 
#34 · (Edited)
Ya, ya know, the boat is designed to sail, you start fiddl'n with stuff, it will tell you if you are doing something wrong or right. Once you get it going you could fall off and the thing will just sail right off with out you. Unfortunatly this actually happens from time to time. I stay strapped in when I'm off shore 100% of the time.
 
#35 ·
Really now, stego, you can't just run out and buy a sailboat the way you can buy a powerboat.

Sailing, more properly known as yachting, is an elitist sport and you have to be invited to participate. You'll need written letters of sponsorship from three respected sailors (for each of you) and be prepared to buy a round of drinks for everyone in the room when the committee discusses your sponsorship. While Topsiders are no longer required, you be expected to wear proper attire, as specified in the rule book.

Now, once you've been sponsored, you can show up at any sailing school and enroll for classes. You'll be given two chances to pass the exams, if you fail, your sponsorship will be cancelled and there is no pro-rated rebate on your membership dues. You'll have to wait a full two years before you can re-apply.

This may seem unfair, but really, it is the only way to keep the thronging masses from cluttering up the anchorages and putting wall-to-wall boats on the waters.

No, really... (VBG)

But I'd strongly suggest a US Power Squadrons or USCGAuxiliary boating safety class (usually ~$40 and one short day) which will get you an insurance discount on your boat and a quick introduction to safety, and to local boaters. Followed by a basic sailing class9es) because they'll bring you up to speed on how to "do it right" way faster than any other way. And again, introduce you to other local sailors.

Racing can be an exercise in TypeA personalities and the avoidance thereof, but it is also something every sailor should try. When you need bbq supplies and the supermarket in the next town is an hour away from closing, knowing how to get there quickly is a valuable skill. :)
 
#36 ·
Why sailing ?


Because it is one of the few sports activities that the entire family can participate in - a 80 year old Grandmother and her 6 year old granddaughter can enjoy sailing together.

Because there is a simple beauty of sunshine, wind, and water which can not be realized elsewhere

Because it can be thrilling and a challenge, we learn about ourselves each time we go sailing

Because it takes us into another world.

Because watch on watch off after after some days becomes a great way to live

Beacuse nothing can match the sensation of standing a 2 am - 6am night watch with the sound of the water and boat in harmony, the stars shining bright, and one of your friends dozing in the cockpit.

Because you get to see whales and dolphins up close, really close.
 
#40 ·
The best race race boat I ever sailed on was a beat up 30 footer.

On the last leg, we'd hoist the chute, one crew would go below and whip up some frozen drinks with a battery powered blender, the music would be turned on and life was good.

We even finished ahead of the occaisional boat.
 
#41 ·
Well, I no longer need to be talked into it... I went out today with BubbleheadMd (thanks again Rich!) I am sunburned as crap, but I left wanting to sail that much more and all we did was talk. Throw in any amount of "cookout/relaxing activities" and I would be in bliss. This is all in spite of getting my hopes of traveling down to the bay from Alexandria semi crushed. I don't care. It was awesome.
 
#45 ·
Cool, now you can buy my boat :D. We were the 23 footer you guys passed at the entrance to the Rhode River. I am itching for a bigger boat, but am forbidden from buying more til I sell one. In all seriousness, glad to see you had a good time out there, the wind was perfect for a sail. We hated coming in, but had a long drive up to PA.
 
#47 ·
Has anyone seen those Optimists carrying those new sailors /kids?
If one overboard, he first yells for a pick up but if he doesn't learn the civil voice his teeth may chatter for some time.
A good education at any price...Excellent time to start!!!
I know of schools that are dirt cheap for adults.
The beginning of this thread is rather ambiguous though...
"Other vices."
No skipper should impair his or her judgement to remedy boredom!!!!

If a kid smokes pot he or she may forget which day they were suppose to sign up. I think drugs and alcohol are for the recluse. Met but a few who were not psychotic and to interact on a clear basis nothing beats sober.
It takes six months after a joint to reinstate a healthy bounty of dopamine but well worth it.
BE HAPPY SAILING!!!
Not STONED OR DRUNK!!!!! YOU OWE THAT to those who share your boat and the water...
Donna, your boat's name is 'Halcyon' did you name it?
Are you familiar with the Greek myth?
How it relates to a star in Taurus?
It's really about a sea bird. Or maybe the center of the universe, then about good old days and now the coming end of the world according to the Hopi.
How about this:
Not from successful love alone,
Nor wealth, nor honor'd middle age, nor victories of politics or war;
But as life wanes, and all the turbulent passions calm,
As gorgeous, vapory, silent hues cover the evening sky,
As softness, fulness, rest, suffuse the frame, like freshier, balmier air,
As the days take on a mellower light, and the apple at last hangs
really finish'd and indolent-ripe on the tree,
Then for the teeming quietest, happiest days of all!
The brooding and blissful halcyon days!
Walt Whitman
(1819-1892)
 
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