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Learning to Sail DVD

5K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  Bill-Rangatira 
#1 ·
Can anyone suggest some "how to" DVDs that would help a totally new and inexperienced person learn some of the basics of sailing?

Are there any "courses" for learning available on DVD?

Thanks
 
#2 ·
i went to netflix. they have 4-5 dvds available, do's and don'ts, how to's, safety, rough weather, etc. but at the end of each they recommend a sailing course --hands on type. i'm talking with a lot of people about their boats and picking up the sailing language as i go. i'm either going to buy a daysailer or crew this year if anyone will have pity on a newbie. good luck.
 
#3 ·
Good basic sailing courses are taught by many local Coast Guard Auxiliaries, the American Red Cross, and the American Power Squadron. Costs are nominal, and sometimes they include on-the-water training with a small boat, like a Sunfish. I think you'd get much more out of one of those courses than any "How to" DVD, because you'll be able to ask questions of an instructor. They're equally helpful for people who are planning on taking courses from the good commercial sailing schools, because you'll learn some of the "language" of boating before you get to the sailing school.
 
#4 ·
Sailing DVDs and Videoa

I agree with the comments above that a DVD is no replacement for an ASA or similar course.

Just before we took our first certification course, we did watch most of the DVDs about sailing at Netflix. By far, the best was "Sailing in Heavy Weather" (http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=70009643&trkid=181036&strkid=13819925_2_0), although it's not really for beginning sailors. (Worth seeing, though.)

"Sailing with Confidence" (http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=70016469&trkid=174833) is probably the best they have for beginning sailors, although I'd caution you to keep your expectations as low as possible. It was fun that they were using a Rainbow 24, which I later sailed on the Chesapeake.

We also saw most of the Annapolis Book of Seamanship videos, and there were parts of the first that were enjoyable, but in it and others there were some relatively serious sleep-inducing sections.

Last, but not at Netflix, we saw a Learn to Sail with Steve Colgate video that was pretty humorous because it had some B-list hollywood actors as the sailing students. Love that "Big Hair" of the eighties!

So, some parts of the videos/DVDs were good at illustrating concepts, but don't try to stuff your brain too much before your classes.

Good luck!

Jim H
 
#5 ·
Learn the basic rules of the road and hit the bay. at the harbor entrance Red on Right Returning and Green on right going out learn to tie a bolan knot and to read a chart the little numbers mean how deep ect. But really if you have a boat take her out slow and back slow never get in a hurry at the dock or everything will go wrong.Also some local yacht clubs race on Wed afternoon fun run stuff and they usually need crews ask around. Tell them you know nothing dont lie you will be better off telling them your a newbee. Don't jibe the boat unless you know what your doing. Ahhh what is a jibe well learn the language and have a blast.
 
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