58 and learning to sail

[MDCurrie]

hi
I am freshly retired and starting a 40 year old passion to learn to sail.
So any tips?
Anyone want an eager apprentice?

Stil, have all finger and toes and like being outdoors.

[Mirage35]

There are a few suggestions for Calgary and Vancouver area training options in this thread: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ed-161142.html

Have fun!

[MDCurrie]

Thanks
heading to Toronto next week to look at boats and learning in area. Great lakes and West coast seem to be the most likely locations. but i am going sailing in West Kootnays in May.

[Mirage35]

If you're looking at the Great Lakes for training, I can recommend Wavelength Sailing School in Kingston (Collins Bay). They're certainly not the only one, but they're the one I know.

[Mirage35]

Oh, and I suggest you post a "hello from Alberta" message in the "Meets and Greets" forum. People here are very good about responding to those, and you might meet some locals with the same interests.

[tdh1849]

In addition to the great advice above, do what I did here in Florida and join a local sailing club. You will make new friends and get to sail with them often.
I did that and had a wonderful 13 years sailing out of Ft.Lauderdale, owned a Catalina 30 and then a Hunter 33.5. Also have my initials in every bar bathroom in the northern Bahamas and Bimini!! And I was 57 when I started.
Do it, you'll love it.

[akprb]

Speed lesson if you want to learn all about cruising systems and maybe sail a little.

Buy a 40' whatever, at least 15-20 years old, and start going someplace. You'll learn it all, post some great questions here and have a ball meeting folks in strange little marinas doing the same.

One year and you'll be bleeding a diesel with the best of them and rebuilding a head like a pro!

Ahh the life.

[Omega46]

Originally Posted by MDCurrie

hi
I am freshly retired and starting a 40 year old passion to learn to sail.
So any tips?
Anyone want an eager apprentice?

Stil, have all finger and toes and like being outdoors.

I do not think I can advise you on your question, but I can tel you what I did last year. I am 67 and still working. I bought 46' boat and start to do real learning how to sail. I have ASA courses on mono-hull, multi hull some navigation which helps, but when I get to helm myself I understand need to start from scratch. It was a very hard year of study.
I hope some other guys will show an easy way, but for me..
I am still in learning ....
tons of information's to digest.

[Rex Delay]

Check out what is available locally first. The Ghost Lake is a very good place to start as is very windy.
ghost lake sailing

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by tdh1849

In addition to the great advice above, do what I did here in Florida and join a local sailing club. You will make new friends and get to sail with them often.

SNIP

The dirty little secret is that there are a lot more boats looking for crew than crew looking for boats. Walking the docks will often result in at least finding someone who is willing to talk, and often an invite to crew. If you are willing to buy pizza and soda (or beer) and listen to the captain you will likely be invited back. Not saying there are not folks who you may not want a return trip with, but the longer you hang around places where folks are sailing the easier it will be to find someone willing to teach you what they know.

[sailorman7225]

This is how I did it at 62. Its the best thing I ever did for myself; ever!


Safe in Harbor | Pubgraphics Direct

[hamburking]

Getting started is the hardest part...talk to people, post, go to the docks and say hello.

I suggest you join your local yacht club. In addition to the services and support they offer, you get reciprocal privileges...so when you travel, you can visit the local yacht club, have a drink, and and maybe crew for a day or something. In Toronto, The IYC is a fantastic club. I bought my last boat there, and was seriously impressed. If you come to kingston, check out the KYC...you are always welcome. If I hadn't just sold my boat, I would invite you for a sail. If you need a friend in the area, I'm just a PM away...don't hesitate to call. My name is Dave, and I'm in Kingston. Great sailing here.

Good luck friend!

[MDCurrie]

Big thanks to all who have responded. i wealth of encouragement and wisdom.

[zengirl]

Originally Posted by MDCurrie

hi
I am freshly retired and starting a 40 year old passion to learn to sail.
So any tips?
Anyone want an eager apprentice?

Stil, have all finger and toes and like being outdoors.

And I'm a young lady of 73! Just starting. Someone suggested joining a sailing club. Good advice. I belong to one.

I think it's grand to have something this wonderful to be a part of this late in life. Beats that booze, bingo, cruise life of most seniors.

Wishing you the best

[mrichmon]

I'm 43, had a desire to learn to sail since a teenager.

This past Feb my wife and I took one week off work to earn our ASA 101 and ASA 103 qualifications. There is a lot of stuff to learn in these courses and we are just about comfortable with taking a boat out by ourselves.

For me, starting to learn to sail has been a great decision. I thoroughly enjoyed the classwork and the couple of days I've been out since then as crew.

Finding a club that holds events for non-boat owning sailors, or building a network of sailing friends is very helpful. The more opportunities to get out on the water, the more you will learn.

Good luck.