SailNet Community banner
  • SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

New to Sailing

941 views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  bljones 
#1 ·
Where to begin....
Let's start at the beginning. my name is Bill coward, I have been forced retired from the Marines and looking to sail for the first time. I have been on many boats, but never have I sailed one let along owned one. However their is something about being out there on the ocean that really pulls me. I must tell you that I would not know the difference a main sail and a jib if it hit me on the head. Still I want to learn. my friends tell me it's impossible and I'm wasting my time, still I really want to do this. My dream is to sail to the South Pacific. I have set a time table of 5 yrs. I think I should be ready by that time. I'm hoping to meet a couple of "old Salts' to help me along in my quest. I cant take crap ... even from Navy, I just need a little help. Anyway that's my story, all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Bill:)
 
#2 ·
5 years is doable... but you should get cracking!
Yours is a very familiar story on this board, and shared by many... who have lived it all to some degree or another.

There is no WRONG way to start. But I do encourage you to avail yourself to classes. the ASA courses are very decent.

Sail on as many boats as you can as crew. You won't have a difficult time figuring out what it is you like in a boat, and don't. Also you'll have a pretty good idea of what makes a seaworthy boat within a couple years.

You might find that the journey trying to get to your goal is enough. Also you might find your goal might change. Sailing is in itself a destination... a hobby... a sport... and a recreation rolled into one.

Good luck, and thanks for starting it here with us!
 
#3 ·
SHNOOL thanks for the mail, I am at the point of who, what where and how. 5 years seams long but as you said ... get cracking... I'm reading everything I can get my hands on, and I'm currently looking for sailing intro's... do you have maybe other helpful ideas?

thanks Bill
 
#4 ·
Bill,

Welcome and thanks for your service! Hopefully you ended up with a little cash after all those years. One thing to consider as you look for a boat. Get some help from a reputable professional broker. One you can make friends with. It is a buyer's market but "deals" are often not what they appear to be. If you buy well you will be "parking" your money, not spending it.;) Time is money, too. Find a good boat that has already been outfitted and is ready to go if you can. A good broker's help can be worth every penny, especially if you know very little about sailboats. There is a lot to know.

Best of luck!!

Down
 
#5 ·
Marine,

May I be so bold to suggest picking up a large trailerable in the 23-25 foot range. Take classes (best) or just get out there and sail (good for some, me). There are many expenses to sailing that bite you. The cost is only part of it. By going trailerable, you minimize these costs while you learn and decide if you really like sailing. All at a fraction of the cost of buying one of the big girls. You can get a nice 23 footer on a trailer for less than $8000 and if your patient and lucky, less than $4000. Also, pick up a copy of The Complete Trailer Sailor by Brian Gilbert. Lots of great information including drawings, specs, pro and cons of 50 or so boat 15' to 28' to help you decide what you like, need and can't live without. We bought our 25 footer for $2200 (completely sail-away), started sailing and now spend most of our sailable weekends off the coast of Maine. Trailerable doesn't mean incapable.

Don
 

Attachments

#6 ·
Well, that's my dream too. Only I'm graduating with my Bachelors in about a year. When I graduate I'd like to move to california to get some crew work in. If I live in Utah, there's nothing I can do to prepare or learn here is there? Would boating one of our lakes help me at all or would it just be a different craft?
 
#7 ·
Bill,
Get down to your local marina/yachtclub/boatyard and find out what the beercan racing schedule is. Then wiht this handy info in hand, on the next race day, stop at the store, grab a six pack and walk the docks, looking for a ride- somebody will be happy to have another warm body, even if just as rail meat. This is the quickest, cheapest way to find out what sailing is all about and get some practical hands-on experience while looking for a boat.
Keep your eyes and your ears open and you will learn more in 2 or 3 months of crewing than you would in 2 years of DIY learning on your own boat.

Yeah, you might have to take a ration of crap occasionally- remember, you are back to being a know-nothing wet-behind-the-ears greenhorn again. Hold your tongue, take the advice in the spirit in which it is intended- to help you improve your skill set.

It will also open the door for you to the local sailing world- you'll find out what boats are for sale, have been for sale forever, which boats to stay away from, what boats are coming on the market, and lots of other advice.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top