Starting Out

[capt lar]

Michael - Well said ! Sounds like you are passing it on. That's the way it should be.

Larry

[swagman]

We too were never fixed into roles when offshore racing - everyone may specialise when the going gets tight - but all need to be able to do everything with competence or the boat will not perform.

And I'd also agree with keeping racing relaxed and would often pop a can of 'tactics juice' even before the start - and certainly after.

Anyway - race / cruise / or even sitting at anchor - it's all great.

Just get out sailing when you can and as often as you can.................

Cheers
JOHN

[bajamas]

I started off reading everything that I could get my hands on about sailing theory, terms, rules, points of sale, etc...
Once I understood everything and could sail well on paper , then my wife and I started with the ASA courses. We did the Keel Boat corse on a big local lake on a 25' Catalina for several days and had a blast. We both passed our certs with good marks and set up the second ASA Coastal Cruising course in the Bahamas on a 7 day charter. This was an interesting course since our Captain/Instructor was on the boat (37' Tayana) during the day teaching us and allowing us to do all the sailing, then had his wife pick him up in a chase boat and leave us on a mooring or at a slip for the rest of the day and evening with a 13' Boston Whaler dinghy so that we could explore islands, snorkel, etc...
Absolute best of both worlds. We really needed the experience and confidence that sailing a 37' gave us during that week.
My wife and I are in contract with our first sailboat, a 32' Pearson Vanguard and these classes gave us the knowledge and experience to feel confident in our plans. Of course we will continue to learn sailing our own boat but we now possess the skill and rules of the road NOT to go out there and become a danger to ourselves or anyone else for that matter.
I would highly reccomend at least the first 2 classes in the ASA certification program for anyone just starting out. If for nothing else than a great couple of days on the water to determine if this is right for you.

Bajamas