ShellBack89

No problem - I talk to a lot of people who ask the same question and it does make sense - why learn on a boat I don't intend to sail? But when I see students trying to learn the basics on a big cat I feel for them. I think a couple of days on the small boat really helps a lot.

We just finished up at the Annapolis Boat Show and flew to Tahiti to do a flotilla with some of our sailing school alumni. The Annapolis show is amazing! Be sure to stay in touch - we will be in Annapolis again next year. We are planning to do a seminar for people looking to do sailing school next year - so keep an eye out for that! If you go to our website and fill out an inquiry form you can sign up for our newsletter - that would be a good way to stay up on what we have happening. Just mention that we have been talking on Cruiser's Forum in the inquiry.

Beam winds,

Chris

ShellBack, I think it was you asking why you might want to take a course on a small monohull when you never intend to sail a monohull - correct? I hope I got that right.

The reason I would recommend it is because you just don't feel what the boat is doing on a catamaran. You don't get the same feedback from the steering and the sensation of sailing when the boat is trimmed correctly vs. when it is a bit off. With the small monohull you get a lot more response. You feel it when you are doing it right and when you are doing it wrong.

It is also a lot easier to maneuver - so learning how to release a jib sheet properly and trim it in on the new tack is easier.

Once you learn these skills on the small monohull (such as a J/105 or similar) you will be able to transfer these skills to the catamaran. You will become a better cat sailor from the experience you get sailing on the small keel boat.

I hope that helps!

Chris