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Where should I start?

8K views 32 replies 21 participants last post by  SimonV 
#1 · (Edited)
Hello all. I’m sure someone can help me here. I just inherited a 31’ sailboat and would like to learn to sail it. I have been on the boat a few (four) times and have a very basic understanding of sailing. My question is how should I approach learning to sail this boat? I have been told everything from go by a book to hire an instructor for a few days. I have also been told that this is too much boat to handle for a beginner and I should learn on something half the size. I just want to get some input from some people who know sailing. Thanks.
 
#3 ·
I can tell you that I started out by trial and error. This is NOT the way to learn. Especially on a bigger boat. Things can go wrong fast. Take some basic sailing classes. They are usually quite affordable and really informative. I had been sailing quite a bit and took a class, I was surprised by how much I took away from that class. Just learning to dock 31 feet in the wind is worth the class. Make sure your having fun also!!
 
#4 · (Edited)
Flexible, I would recommend starting in optis at age 7 as the ideal way to learn to sail. But I'm assuming that age has passed you by eh?

Since you have the boat you have, and you are the age you are I would recommend getting an instructor or experienced sailor to show you the ropes for a few days as the fastest/safest path to sailing nirvana. I'm not saying you can't learn to sail on your own, or that that isn't hella fun, just that in your current position getting good instruction is gonna be the fastest/safest path. The advantage of an instructor is that you may be able to get a certificate from ASA or USSailing at the end of it, which is actually helpful for insurance, or chartering (not required, helpful). The advantage of a experience sailor is they may bring beer and have other good qualities. Both will be able to teach you the four things you absolutely need to know - getting in and out of the marina safetly, anchoring, not going out in bad weather or what to do if you get caught out in it (reef early, reef deep), and what to do in COB situations.

I would also recommend making lots of boating friends, these are the people you will sail with, as you will soon discover that most people in your life will like the _idea_ of sailing, but aren't that keen on actually _doing_ it.
 
#5 ·
Buy a book/video/dvd and just get out there and learn would be 1 option.

I would suggest taking one weekend class and getting a book/video etc.

Take your time. Do not try to impress anyone. Practice the awkward stuff.

Docking can be enough of an emotional strain to ruin a day of sailing. So practice leaving the slip and coming back into the slip.Same with raising and lowering your sails,anchoring, etc. If you get comfortable with these thing I think it will make learning the good stuff easier.

The gentleman with the #2 post has some good videos. Wear a PFD until you get comfortable with sailing and always assume the other boaters do not know you have the right of way.

Welcome to the seas.Enjoy!
 
#6 ·
Flex
What kind of (31 footer)?
The four times you were out did you (do) anything related to sailing the boat? Or were you just along for the ride?
Getting out of the marina or off the mooring and docking when coming back are the touchiest times. Reading the weather/wind are also very important BEFORE you go out are something you need to learn. They are best learned from an experienced sailor.
Checking out the advise from this forum is a good start. Watching the above videos will also be very helpful
Good luck. DS
 
#7 ·
No reason you shouldn't be able to learn to sail on a boat that size. A smaller boat would give you a bit better feedback in terms of sail trim and boat balance, but that shouldn't affect your ability to learn on your boat. I'd highly recommend that you take, at minimum, an ASA 101 type basic keelboat handling course, since that will give you the basics and give you a pretty good idea of what you need to learn to at least get safely started.

I'd also recommend you get Dave Seidman's The Complete Sailor, which is by far one of the best books for novice sailors, and is quite easy to read, yet covers a fairly broad range of sailing topics.

I'd also recommend you read this post get the most out of your time on sailnet.
 
#9 · (Edited)
I recommend having the "Chapman Piloting & Seamanship book, above any. It is the bible so to say...

I taught myself how to sail when I bought my Catalina 27. My approach was learning the systems so that I could answer basic "my life is threatened" questions such as - flooding, where are the cut-off valves for the seacocks all at, fire - where are the extinguishers and other safety issues. Followed by understanding the maintenance required..

Then came the docking and un-docking and getting to know the boat under power...

Then came learning how to sail....

It can be done - plenty of books out there and if you are willing to make friends with other sailors - its ok to ask them - "hey could you come along and show me a few things" or ask to sail with them and supplement and question your knowledge based on what you read and other experiences...

Know your boat, do not be afraid of making a mistake (you'll panic at times, and get it all wrong, but you'd do that anyway with a new to you boat)..- and most of all enjoy the experience...
 
#10 ·
While Chapman's is a great reference book, it's not very readable. The Annapolis Book of Seamanship is probably a bit more applicable to sailors IMHO. Seidman's book, The Complete Sailor, is far more readable than either, and explains things much better at a basic level IMHO.
 
#11 ·
An addition to the great advice above. Join your local yacht club,lots of free advise, crew and captains willing to help.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Well thank you everybody for all the responses. I was not expecting so many. I picked up Seidman's The Complete Sailor this morning and also ordered some videos from our local library system. I think when the season rolls around I will end up taking a class or two and hiring an instructor for a few trips. Most of the time it will be just me and my wife on the boat and I was concerned that it would be too much to handle. I don't want to end up hurting someone else or ourselves.
 
#17 · (Edited)
Flex, 31 ft is not too much to handle, we sail our Dehler 33 without any problems and it is our first boat. In addition to the reading material, which is a must, I also recommend a weekend or three day basic sailing class, which both you and your wife should attend - it will make things easier and more fun as it will mostly be the two of you on the boat. The last thing you want is for your wife to be 'afraid' of the boat, which can happen if she does not know the basics and you are an inexperienced captain. I would also recommend having a knowledgeable friend or instructor go out with you on your boat a few times, talk not only about sailing but also about seamanship, managing the boat, talk about local conditions, things you should know, ets. This will be good as he/she can explain things and show you things on 'your' boat, and will be available for you to ask questions.

I would have a rigger go over the rig with you, make sure it is in tune, and that nothing needs to be replaced, have a sailmaker check out the sails and give you an evaluation of the condition, a blown out main or jib will induce a lot of heel and makke the boat not fun to sail, and have a mechanic go over the engine, check the fuel filter, etc., you want the engine dependable, and answer any questions you may have.

Last, ask us any questions you may have, we are here to help. My best wishes with the new boat.

Oh, as you are new here, pictures are in order.
 
#19 ·
Flex;

My wife and I purchased a 30 foot sailboat about 4 years ago. I had a fair amount of experience sailing dinghys and a few keel boats - 30 years previous.

What I did was find a week long course and took a learning vacation. It was awesome. When I steped on our boat I knew enough to make it move, be safe and dock, etc. It was a great investment and made our first season with the boat much more enjoyable.

If you can spare the time and the dime I would seriously consider a long course from ASA or US Sailing. The costs are similar so pick a location you would like to visit. I went to Blue Water Sailing School in FL. Basically we went cruising for a week and learned a whole lot. You'll be much further ahead with boat systems, navigation and rules.

Best of luck in your new adventures.
 
#22 · (Edited)
I would make a distinction between learning to sail and learning to handle a small cruiser.

I think learning to handle a small cruiser can be approached by taking a class/hiring a captain/reading books/crewing/just doing it..or a combination of these or all...as the various recommendations above say.

Learing to sail is a different matter, All the above are good suggestions, but in my opinion best preceded by an intense period of time hands-on sailing a small boat. Look for a local sailing club where you can use a small boat for cheap, go out every afternoon for 2-3 weeks, and then you will be good to go. Thousands of others like myself have learned to sail at places like http://www.community-boating.org/, find something like it in your area. You can do only a tenth of the damage, to the boat or to a loved one, in a Mercury 16 that you might do in a Hunter 31.

I think learning to sail and learning to boat-handle at the same time on a 30 footer is a formula for disaster. It may work out fine for you, many sailors have done so successfully, then again you do create a real risk of injuring even killing someone that you love. ..how's it go, do you feel lucky today?

Learn to sail first, then learn the boat handling, and the risks in my opinion are far more manageable..
 
#24 ·
Contact your local school and get some instruction aboard your boat. Depending on your skill and knowledge a couple of days should get you going for the season. Once you've practised and practised go back to your school for intermediate levels. Take your time there's a lot to learn.
Good luck
 
#25 ·
Once you know how to sail

A bigger boat , to a point is arguably easier to sail ..IF you have the maneuvering room to do so..( And I did say sail not dock)

Every thing happens at a slower pace...However everything happens with much more power and force..and that is the basis most likely from the cautionary advice youve gotten so far...

It is more difficult to say, lay over a big boat , but death awaits improper downwind handling....

Take it slow, take it cautiously, avoid Gybing or getting more then off your quarter downwind and take out an instructor a few times like your planing and you will be amazed at how well you will be doing in a short time..

I personally feel that the older we get the more sense learning on a medium size boat make more sense..Old farts like myself would be hurt faster in a small very maneuverable learning platform then one of 30'...I just cant react that fast or duck and switch high sides that fast ( or low..:p )anymore..

Finally...LUCKY YOU...:D..See God sill answers Prayer...:D
 
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#26 ·
My friend's father-in-law is pushing 65 and sails Lasers at an international level and runs marathons...

Also, Minoru Saito is a Japanese sailor who has made over 260,000 miles of voyages under sail, and is prepping for an eight circumnavigation, which he plans to start this October, and he'll be 75 at the time.

Being old is more a state of mind IMHO than anything else.
I personally feel that the older we get the more sense learning on a medium size boat make more sense..Old farts like myself would be hurt faster in a small very maneuverable learning platform then one of 30'...I just cant react that fast or duck and switch high sides that fast ( or low..:p )anymore..
 
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#27 ·
Flexibal

And besides Dog most other people on this site are pretty nice..:D
 
#28 ·
Just pointing out that having a lot of calendar years on the counter... doesn't necessarily mean much. One of my friends, who I call old fart all the time can probably run me into the ground, since he runs marathons about three times a year for fun...
And besides Dog most other people on this site are pretty nice..:D
 
#29 ·
Sailingdog

I was making an average statement of fact..That as we get older we lose some mobility, thats all...For me it is quite a bit actually and I should preface my statements maybe a little better...I dont know what it is really like to be a normal 50 year old..I have stoved up a little earlier then most..

You have to admit your examples are more rarities then the norm to say the least...I can also list out a few admirable examples of rarity in the opposite direction also having little value as to the average young person... We know the family of a young 12 year girl who climbed Mt. Mckinley ( Denali )...most 12 year old girls I know can barely do a few push ups or carry much of anything up a 8 foot ladder..

Unless I'm obviously goofing around.. I always try to voice something that may help , encourage or offer another opinion that has worked or helped me to someone... not just a knee-jerk statement...If I have offended your youthful mobility at age it was not my intention believe me. I wish I had some of it...

I will preface my answers better from here on out..Will you also...;)
 
#30 ·
I was making an average statement of fact..That as we get older we lose some mobility, thats all...For me it is quite a bit actually and I should preface my statements maybe a little better...I dont know what it is really like to be a normal 50 year old..I have stoved up a little earlier then most..

You have to admit your examples are more rarities then the norm to say the least...I can also list out a few admirable examples of rarity in the opposite direction also having little value as to the average young person... We know the family of a young 12 year girl who climbed Mt. Mckinley ( Denali )...most 12 year old girls I know can barely do a few push ups or carry much of anything up a 8 foot ladder..

Unless I'm obviously goofing around.. I always try to voice something that may help , encourage or offer another opinion that has worked or helped me to someone... not just a knee-jerk statement...If I have offended your youthful mobility at age it was not my intention believe me. I wish I had some of it...

I will preface my answers better from here on out..Will you also...;)
SR - he is a victim of the Seattle Freeze which contrary to most studies as it is not a human interest story.. He owns a GMC Denali that he bought on ebay from a climber that did the Mount (insert title here)...somehow - as a result - he picked up penguins... did a global warming circumspection.... and well in Seattle unless Bob Perry denounces he is not related to Steve Perry - a story to be told..
 
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