FREE training

[Sinker]

Anyone got any suggestions for FREE training in how to sail my newly acquired 32' stone boat - 'Sinker' - on Sydney Harbour?

It has an inboard perkins diesel motor which makes getting about a breeze - but I really would rather learn to sail the bloody thing.

Ciao, Sinker.

[NoTies]

Join a yacht club (the cruising kind not the racing kind)

[Boracay]

When I had my 32' ferro on Sydney Harbour about 30 years ago I found I had lots of friends who loved to help me.

It really helps if you have someone on board who knows how to sail (my first mate was me best mate and knew more about sailing than me).

Now I'm old and ugly I have to train my wife.

A couple of pointers.
1) Don't let anyone put a part of themselves between the boat and a hard place
2) Those large mooring buoys don't give way.
3) Neither do those large fast ferries and container ships
4) Find out what a call of "starboard" means
5) And what three toots on a horn means
6) Unless you totally trust the helmsman don't be more than half a heartbeat from the helm
7) Propellors in Sydney Harbour need antifouling
8) Guests sunburn really quickly
9) Lane Cove River gets shallow really quickly
8) Danforth (now Fortress) anchors don't hold well in Sydney Harbour
10) There is nothing quite as nice as a warm cabin on a cool afternoon on Sydney Harbour

[mudnut]

Ow ya going sinker,Try rushcutters bay,I have heard and read some funny things about (Learning to sail) over there.They will teach you on their boats and then ya just transfer the knowedge to ya FC.Wilf O'kell rocks.So do FC's.You'll also learn to look out for submarines.Mudnut.

[hellosailor]

Free! Go down to the harbour and watch others.
Monkey sea, Monkey Due.

Almost free! Go to the public library and read up. "free" except for however you fund them, taxes most likely already paid anyway.

Cheap! If the library has no videos, rent some.

Not free but no cash out of pocket: BARTER. Put up some notes at local yacht clubs or tell the dockmaster, you'll let someone use your boat in exchange for giving you sailing lessons. Plenty of folks know how to sail, but don't own boats. No guarantee they'll teach you right or well, but you'll get takers.

[SkiprJohn]

Our club offers free sailing lessons once a month for $24 annual membership (off island resident) fee. Might be expensive to get here each month though. Hope you enjoy your boat. Perkins engines are great!
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[Sinker]

Thanx folks - lotsa salty wholesome advice there, particularly from Chris & esp. 'HelloSailor'; having inspired me to think longditudinally, what I'll do is run a crafty ad. in 'Afloat' mag: "FREE yacht charter on SydneyH. - deckhand (mature) provided to approved customers", he, he, he!
www.afloat.com.au/

Ciao, Sinker.

[emmo]

Good to hear from another local [almost] footpath owner.
If you were on this side of the country I'd gladly show you the ropes.
Try some of the less flashy clubs, often their cruisers are in need of crew, no fancy whites required.
Good luck and enjoy.