Learning To Sail

[stevenmundial]

Good Day: I hope everyone is having a great week, I am 44 male and I live in South Orange County CA.near Dana Point. I struggled with alcohol for my entire and overcame that a few years ago. and since I was 7 I wanted to live on a boat and just go where ever, I have a darling daughter that has just started her first year of high school and we are very close I want to stay around until she at least finishes college. Here is the deal i have 8 years and do not know where to start with sailing classes we have orange coast college as well as a US sailing school where do I start and is 8 years enough time to learn what i need to to take off? I thank you for all your help did I mention I love my life

Steven

[imagine2frolic]

The safest, and easiest way is a structured lesson. Basic 1 & 2 will get you on the water, and going. Start out slow, and move forward as you learn. A structured lesson usually starts you with no bad habits, and it's easy to progress.......i2f

[SoulJah]

FWIW Steve, I just wated to congratulate you on your sobriety. You have the strength to overcome this most common of addictions. More power to you Bro. Your daughter has good reason to be very proud of you.
I recon the two of you could have a great time at the local sailing club, mucking around in the little sailing dinghys and such. Put your name / details etc. on the notice board there as well, there's often skippers looking for help, even newbies they will have to train.
Follow your heart and live your dreams.

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Orange Coast is one of the very best sailing schools around. I have a sailing friend that used to instruct there and it is known for being very thorough. US Sailing is good too but I'd opt for the former having instructed for U. S. Sailing and seeing how money hungry they are.
Yes you can learn everything you need to know it eight years and sooner if you apply yourself. Get your daughter involved. I did that with my daughter and before she graduated from high school she was checked out on Catalina 22s and 27s in Coronado.
kind regards,