Jacob,
I have had a great experience with Sailtime-Norfolk and I recommend it without reservation.
My son and I joined last year as co-captains, having had some experience sailing mostly through
ASA classes at the
Maryland School of Sailing (which I also highly recommend). Our goal is also to be able to take extended cruises on sailboats. We needed to have lots of sailing experience to get there so we were referred to Sailime and Norfolk was the perfect location for us, halfway between our two residences.
Dave Wilbar, the manager of the outfit there, took us out for 3 days when we first joined as part of the normal
membership process to make sure we knew the basics of sailing and could handle the boat we were joining for, a 33 foot Hunter. Dave was very patient, very thorough, very knowledgeable and experienced, and was an excellent teacher. He is very passionate about sailing, and making sure his members know how to do it the right way. It is very important to him that we know how to do things the right way. After those three days we felt very comfortable taking the boat out. He has given us help after the intro class, and lets us know he is always there to help. He is a great asset and a great resource.
The marina is off a very nice bay (Willoughby Bay) where you can practice in protected waters, and when you're ready the Chesapeake is an easy 20 minutes motoring away. Both the protected bay and the Chesapeake are great places to sail. The boat is a dream to sail for us, responsive, with a well laid out boat plan,
furling main and
jib which make things very easy, comfortable quarters, and easy use of all the lines and controls. You can arrive at the
dock and be out on the water in a very small amount of time. The boat is always clean, gassed up, pumped out, and ready to go. A further benefit of being in this club is that the other members all take care of the boat, and help each other out with scheduling.
I recommend this club highly,and without reservation. It has been everything we were hoping for. I wish you great sailing!
DCampbell