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Start Now or wait for Spring?

2954 Views 17 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Waltthesalt, Oct 16, 2009

djf123

Discussion Starter · Oct 14, 2009

I have recently decided that I would like to learn to sail. I am in the Northwest and was wondering if I should sign up for a class now or wait for the winter to be over and take a class in the spring.

Will I be able to practice sailing in the winter in Portland, OR?

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

jackdale

· #2 · Oct 15, 2009

You might consider taking a coastal navigation course.

johnshasteen

· #3 · Oct 15, 2009

Start now - you'll learn quite a bit that you can mull over during the winter and have a better idea of what else you need to learn in the spring.

cb32863

· #4 · Oct 15, 2009

I had the same questions for myself here in Minnesota but, I took the class and as jackdale is suggesting I am taking a coastal navigation class to get me through the winter. Possibly a weather and/or radar course this winter as well. I would take the class now just to get the experience though I have no idea about sailing in the winter there. I do know in MN it is a bit tough to sail in winter........

avenger79

· #5 · Oct 15, 2009

I've actually kicked this around for a few years now. seems when the time is right to go learn i end up talking myself out of it. this year I am committed to start the training in spring. most of the lessons here are all closed up and boats are coming off of the water.
I did take a few minor classes before over the winter season. marlinspiking and what not.
where would one go for a coastal nav course?

legarots

· #6 · Oct 15, 2009

I live in Minnesota. A few years ago, I took ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat) in the fall. I knew I wanted to take ASA 103/104 (Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Chartering), but I didn't want to wait until the spring. I went south and took them in the winter, and am very happy I did. Of course, I couldn't sail once I got back to MN in the winter, but was more prepared come spring.

captbillc

· #7 · Oct 15, 2009

the USPower Squadron has free boating classes. you pay for the materials only. then if you join, they have seamanship, piloting,advanced piloting junior navigator & senior navigator which are celestial navigation. also engine maintenance, weather, electronics, cruise planing,etc. i have taken them all & taught some of them. it gives you a good background. the duluth sail and power squadron has these classes every winter.

ottos

· #8 · Oct 15, 2009

avenger79 said:
I've actually kicked this around for a few years now. seems when the time is right to go learn i end up talking myself out of it. this year I am committed to start the training in spring. most of the lessons here are all closed up and boats are coming off of the water.
I did take a few minor classes before over the winter season. marlinspiking and what not.
where would one go for a coastal nav course?

You don't say where you're from. Try

Find a Sailing School - American Sailing Association

USPS Educational Department

avenger79

· #9 · Oct 15, 2009

I'm from Wisconsin. I actually have the power squadron site for my area bookmarked. Haven't gotten down there to actually join yet. Maybe this is the perfect time to start getting my stuff in order.

Not sure why but I was thinking it would be better to have a boat before joining.

ottos

· #10 · Oct 15, 2009

avenger79 said:
I'm from Wisconsin. I actually have the power squadron site for my area bookmarked. Haven't gotten down there to actually join yet. Maybe this is the perfect time to start getting my stuff in order.

Not sure why but I was thinking it would be better to have a boat before joining.

Just do it.

Taking lessons is a lot cheaper way to find out if you're going to like boating than buying a boat.

I'm biased to ASA schools:

Wisconsin

Bayfield Northern Breezes Sailing School Welcome to Sailing Breezes Online Magazine (763) 542-9707 F (763) 542-8998
Green Bay Explorer's Guide LLC http://www.explorersguidellc.com/ | Course, Online, Courses, Uscg, Application (800) 487-6029
Racine SailTime Milwaukee Fractional Sailing-SailTime Has Rewritten the Book on Sailing Clubs (262) 960-1470
Milwaukee Performance Yacht Services index (414) 788-0990
(800) 487-6029
green dot Racine SailTime Milwaukee Fractional Sailing-SailTime Has Rewritten the Book on Sailing Clubs (262) 960-1470
Milwaukee Performance Yacht Services index (414) 788-0990

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jackdale

· #11 · Oct 15, 2009

I would agree with the ASA bias.

Avenger should be looking at courses that have a practical, on-the-water component. I am know that the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons do only classroom based teaching. Not sure about the USPS.

avenger79

· #12 · Oct 15, 2009

I've looked at Milwaukee sailing club, sailboat inc (up in bayfield) as well as the power squadron.

I'm printing off the info for the two power squadrons closest to me. Have to get in touch with them and decide which would work best. I live near Madison but work in Milwaukee, would depend on class scheduling and what not as to which would be better.
I'm very interested in taking their marine elec courses. could be very beneficial for me as I currently work in elec design field.

djf123

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 15, 2009

Thanks for everyones help. Sounds like I should just get started ASAP with an ASA class. I was also thinking of joining a local sailing club so I could meet people, have access to boats if the weather is ok and not have the full investment of buying a boat...any advice on whether a sailing club is the way to go?

ottos

· #14 · Oct 15, 2009

Clubs can vary a great deal - some good, some not so good. I would certainly explore the possibility!

doubleeboy

· #15 · Oct 16, 2009

Hello djf123,

Talk to the boat dealer in Portland, Sailing Life. I believe they do ASA classes or could surely clue you in to the local sailing scene. There is sailing all year round on the Columbia. If you can't find what you want there, classes are available in Seattle at Shilshole Marina from ASA and USSailing Schools.

michael

michael

djf123

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 16, 2009

Thanks for the advice Michael, I have actually looked at their website. I was thinking of joining Island Sailing Club - so I would have access to boats without having to buy one. Have you ever heard of them? Do you think it would be worthwhile - I think they are in Kirkland and Olympia too.

Again, thanks for the help!

Dan

TxLnghrn

· #17 · Oct 16, 2009

Although not a substitute for on the water training, I met the owner of this company a while back and he has an interesting approach to sail training. Might help you get through the cold winter months.

(I am in no way affiliated with the company).
Learn to sail with online sailing lessons. Your online sailing school.

Michael

Waltthesalt

· #18 · Oct 16, 2009

I live on Puget Sound. We can sail all year round unless polar air comes down. It may be more severe however in Portland with cold inland weather coming down the Columbia River. That's usually during Jan and Feb. Here water temp isn't much different summer or winter. Summer can have really light winds on Puget Sound but I think you have relaibly good wind down there. It depends more on how you feel about going out in raw and possibly windy weather. If there are classes available then it's likely the instructors feel comfortable with the weather that time of year. As the saying gows there's no bad weather only bad cloths. For a course this time of year or in the spring you'll need a good set of foul weather gear and boots. I second the recommendations for classes run by the power squadrons or similar groups. They're usually abundant in the winter.

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