Newbie w/ Old Salt Boyfriend.

[Cassparagus]

Although I grew up on LI, I have no sailing experience. I found this site on google and figured I could lean a thing or 2 to surprise my sailor boyfriend who I recently moved in with. So theres my intro, now to dive into the world of online sailing knowledge...

[hellosailor]

Find a library, or get a copy of "Chapman's" [Chapman Piloting & Seamanship] and you'll get a lot of useful information fast, especially the names of things on and off the boat, and proper procedures. One of the many books on knots will also let you surprise him.

Navigation and systems gets a bit more complex, and sailing itself is best learned "hands on" rather than through the confusion of new words in books. "Colregs", the Collision Regulations, which also include right of way rules, lights and shapes, is available directly online and if you learn that stuff--guaranteed he'll be surprised and pleased. If he races, there are racing rules also available online, and again, he'd be floored if you knew them.

[GordMay]

WELCOME aboard, Cassparagus.

Some resources to help you get started ...

On-line Boating Safety Course: Boating Safety Course Online

Sailing Lessons Online:

How to Continue to Enjoy Sailing : Fundamental Sailing Lessons Online | ExpertVillage Videos

Some Women's Sailing Programs:
Sistership Sailing School: British Virgin Islands Sailing School Vacations Lessons Learn to Sail British Virgin Islands
National Women's Sailing Association: Home
PacificSail Women's sailing classes: Pacific Yachting and Sailing - Women's Classes
Windlass Women's sailing organization in Florida: http://www.windlasses.org/
Boat U.S. Women in Boating: BoatUS.com Women in Boating
SheGear directory of Women's sailing resources: Womens kayaking equipment by Shegear

Chapman Piloting & Seamanship ~ by Elbert S. Maloney
Chapman Piloting & Seamanship - Google Book Search

[bobfnbw]

Don't forget your local power squadron. They are invaluable for teaching the fine aspects of navigation, and rules of the road, and a great bunch of people as well.
Some are more power oriented, some more sail, but either way, you can learn a lot.
Highly recomended.

[imagine2frolic]

Hopefully he will be a patient teacher, but that is rare in mates. Take some lessons, and learn the language of boats, and sailing. BEST WISHES in becoming a sailor, and enjoy the ADDICTION!!!!!!!

[Cassparagus]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

Hopefully he will be a patient teacher, but that is rare in mates. Take some lessons, and learn the language of boats, and sailing. BEST WISHES in becoming a sailor, and enjoy the ADDICTION!!!!!!!

yeah that patient teaching thing isnt happening. haha there is so much rigging and STUFF on this racing boat, even he dosent know what it all does.

[Paul Brown]

I live in ST. Pete and have a boat at the amrina. I use to belong to the St. Pete sailing center. They offer lessons and are cheap..

[johnar]

Welcome, You came to a great place, you will get good answers here and they dont make you feel stupid.

You can also watch video on U Tube of sailing, seen a few training videos there

John

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Cass,
Welcome aboard! Just learning the language and the names of parts and pieces of your boat is very helpful. Most any basic sailing book can help you with that. I really like the book Start Sailing Right! It has that and tells you how sails work and what maneuvers are necessary to sail a boat correctly.
Kind regards,
JohnL