Where to Go for First-Ever Day Sail ?

[stormydog]

Hi everyone,
My husband and are are going to be taking some sailing lessons this winter in the BVI. We are sailing with Sistership sailing school and will complete ASA 101 and 103 during the week.
The first chance we get to try out our new skills will be about 4 months later and we are wondering how to go about this. We would like to stay on land and then go out on day sails as often as possible during a weeks vacation somewhere. the big question is where?? We are hoping to not fork out too much money on airfare to go somewhere - any suggestions of a good place for first time sailors to give this a try?
Thanks for your help!
Lori

[zeehag]

where are you located

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum

[svcambria]

Originally Posted by zeehag

where are you located

Yeah, where you are is pretty important to where one could send you for inexpensive sailing...
Or as they say in New Orleans - "Where you at?"

Michael

[zeehag]

oops bad manners-- welcome to cf...... but where ye located

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by stormydog

Hi everyone,
My husband and are are going to be taking some sailing lessons this winter in the BVI. We are sailing with Sistership sailing school and will complete ASA 101 and 103 during the week.
The first chance we get to try out our new skills will be about 4 months later and we are wondering how to go about this. We would like to stay on land and then go out on day sails as often as possible during a weeks vacation somewhere. the big question is where?? We are hoping to not fork out too much money on airfare to go somewhere - any suggestions of a good place for first time sailors to give this a try?
Thanks for your help!
Lori

Once again I'm going to recommend the Tampa Bay area. There are places you can charter boats here and tons of day sail opportunities. Really study the charts if you come here, though, because there are some very shallow areas.

[boatman61]

Poole Harbour.... its huge and sheltered... 4 islands... lots of little anchorages... you can be as social/solitary as you like...
And if your feeling daring... pop outa the entrance and sail to Studland Bay... or start the engine and chug upriver to Wareham town...
Keep you happy for a coupla years at last...

[stormydog]

Thanks everyone!
We are in London, Ontario Canada. Close to Lake Huron and Lake Erie....a bit farther to Lake Ontario.
We are willing to do this while on vacation - Florida or elsewhere in the states that's not too far. We have wondered about chartering a sailboat and taking it out everyday on day sails for practice, but still coming back to the dock at night and staying on the boat.
Does this sound realistic and is it affordable? I haven't checked into pricing for a rental yet.
Thanks,
Lori

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by stormydog

Thanks everyone!
We are in London, Ontario Canada. Close to Lake Huron and Lake Erie....a bit farther to Lake Ontario.
We are willing to do this while on vacation - Florida or elsewhere in the states that's not too far. We have wondered about chartering a sailboat and taking it out everyday on day sails for practice, but still coming back to the dock at night and staying on the boat.
Does this sound realistic and is it affordable? I haven't checked into pricing for a rental yet.
Thanks,
Lori

Moorage fees vary of course but are based on the size of boat. Just as a ball park thing you could work with $50 a night as the fee. You won't likely have had much experience docking I'm guessing so that might be a hurdle; you will need to practice! With the right slip and a small boat it would be a great way to get experience. You may need to hire a captain to teach you docking skills. Not usually a big expense - say $200 a day.

[rtbates]

Might like Keylime Sailing Club in Key Largo. Cottages on Fla Bay side and use of 22' Catalinas Vacation Rentals, Vacation Cottages and Homes, Sailboat Rentals, Florida Keys, Key Largo, Key Lime Sailing Club

And welcome

[Southern Star]

Lori, if you want access to a day sailor, why not buy a used one with a trailer? At this time of the year, the market in Ontario should favour the buyer. If you purchase your own boat, you will be able to dry sail her and use it whenever you want on Lake Erie and Lake Huron. Frankly, for the cost of a hotel and boat rental for a week (let alone the potential cost of airfare), you will probably come out about even.

Brad

[maytrix]

I'll go a bit beyond your request and say why not wait until your training is over. You may find that after your training that simply going back to the BVI would work well for you. Then instead of paying for both a hotel to spend the night and a boat to rent during the day, you can live on the boat and go as far or stay as close as you want.

A lot will depend on how you do during your week of lessons, but I spoke with a couple who were there the same week we were and they were doing lessons and took the boat out themselves the last day or so.

Just something to think about.

[Southern Star]

Lori, just for interest I checked out boatforsale and there is a 14 foot daysailor (with trailer available) that is apparently in as-new condition for $1400.00. There is also an Edel 540 in St. Catharines, Ont., which is a 17 1/2 foot boat with a cuddy cabin, four berths and sitting headroom, that is listed for $3200.00 with trailer and 6 H.P. outboard. I am sure there are many more out there.

Cheers!

Brad

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by Southern Star

Lori, if you want access to a day sailor, why not buy a used one with a trailer? At this time of the year, the market in Ontario should favour the buyer. If you purchase your own boat, you will be able to dry sail her and use it whenever you want on Lake Erie and Lake Huron. Frankly, for the cost of a hotel and boat rental for a week (let alone the potential cost of airfare), you will probably come out about even.

Brad

Is dry sailing where you sit in the cockpit, in your driveway and make wind noises?

[Southern Star]

Thanks for that - I needed a laugh this morning. For those who don't actually know, 'dry sailing' is when you do not have a dock, or mooring, but rather store your boat on a trailer and put it in and take it out of the water after each use. Many marinas have and space for 'dry sailors' to park their boats and trailers.

Brad