Howdy from Atlanta, GA

[Piglet]

I'm an "almost" 40 year old that grew up sailing small boats (Sunfish and such) that is looking to investigate this bigger boat thing. My wife and I are set up to attend an ASA 101 & 103 combined course in October down in Pensacola, FL. Hopefully this will give us an indication if this kind of stuff is for us or not.

I've been reading this forum for a couple of weeks now. Great stuff!

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
It's good to have you here. Sunfish are great little boats to learn on.
kind regards,

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Piglet.

[Lowcountry]

Hi there, Piglet. I'm also "almost 40," and I was born and raised in Madison, GA, about an hour east of Atlanta (GO DAWGS!!!). I found out that sailing was for me after buying an open 18' daysailer and learning how to sail it. Two boats later, I'm living aboard with no plans of coming off anytime soon. Best of luck to you guys. I'm pretty sure you're going to like sailing.

[Piglet]

Originally Posted by Lowcountry

Hi there, Piglet. I'm also "almost 40," and I was born and raised in Madison, GA, about an hour east of Atlanta (GO DAWGS!!!). I found out that sailing was for me after buying an open 18' daysailer and learning how to sail it. Two boats later, I'm living aboard with no plans of coming off anytime soon. Best of luck to you guys. I'm pretty sure you're going to like sailing.

Thanks for the encouragement. I have to confess though that we are originally from Baton Rouge, LA. (GEAUX TIGERS!!!).

We are pretty excited about getting on the boat in October. My wife and I are the only students in the class and we get to live onboard during the week.

Any tips on how to get the most out of the class are appreciated and I will post about our experience in case anyone is interested.

Thanks again to all!

Piglet

[rover88]

Hi Piglet and welcome.

We too are landlocked here in Atlanta with our boat 360 miles away, not far from Pensacola.

Do tread carefully, as you may find you like the "big boat thing" and it can become an all consuming addiction. Our boat has eaten a huge chuck of our money, time, sweat, emotions and even a bit of blood. In three decades of marriage the closest we have come to divorce was over the choice of curtains for the boat (no kidding.... a full blown argument with tears in the cloth store!!)

Ahhh... but what a wonderful addiction that we wouldn't trade for anything.

[Piglet]

Originally Posted by rover88

Hi Piglet and welcome.

We too are landlocked here in Atlanta with our boat 360 miles away, not far from Pensacola.

Do tread carefully, as you may find you like the "big boat thing" and it can become an all consuming addiction. Our boat has eaten a huge chuck of our money, time, sweat, emotions and even a bit of blood. In three decades of marriage the closest we have come to divorce was over the choice of curtains for the boat (no kidding.... a full blown argument with tears in the cloth store!!)

Ahhh... but what a wonderful addiction that we wouldn't trade for anything.

Thanks Rover,

I'm getting ahead of myself here, but did you do the Lake Lanier thing before based your boat in the Gulf? If we end up liking this stuff, I guess that will be one of the things we have to figure out.

[rover88]

Originally Posted by Piglet

Thanks Rover,

I'm getting ahead of myself here, but did you do the Lake Lanier thing before based your boat in the Gulf? If we end up liking this stuff, I guess that will be one of the things we have to figure out.

Straight to the ocean, or rather the Choctawahatchee Bay near Destin - a perfect learning environment with easy access to the gulf and intercoastal to PC and Pensacola.

Lake Lanier is so crowded these days and lake sailing is simply not the pleasure of the ocean. The downside is a five+ hour drive rather than forty five minutes to go sail, but we spent half the month down there prepping for the islands soon.

[TFrere]

Piglet,
I also grew up sailing small boats. Now I sail a 38 foot Morgan primarily on Lake Pontchartrain. You will find the ASA 101 very elementary.
Go Tigers.
T Frere
Lafayette, LA

[tropicalescape]

Welcome and good luck..I to started on small boats and have been thinking about going off to sea for many years and now Im doing it... be safe and keep an open mind and you will love it ...DVC

[Piglet]

Thanks for all of the replies and encouragement. I appreciate it very much.

Rover,

Which marina do you use? We spend every 4th of July in Miramar Beach between Destin and Sandestin. We love the area, and it would be a good selling point for the wife if we could base a boat around there. Getting way ahead of myself again...

Thanks again!