Looking for some advise on classes

[mark58]

Hello
Here is the situation. Im married and have 2 small children and am looking to finally make the sailing dream a reality. We are currently looking for a boat that fits our needs. A few years ago i took the asa101 class and did a season of racing on a 27 footer. I think it was a j27 not sure though. What im getting at is my experience is limited. That being said we are not planning to crossing oceans. We would for the most part be looking to cruise the coast. Im looking for any advice on some sailing classes or schools or private teachers that could help me brush up on some skills i would need. Im thinking something like a one week class down the shore. Not just classroom time but as much boat time as possible going over as many skills i can get. The closest shore to me is nj but would be willing to travel to others.
Thank you
Mark

[letsgetsailing3]

Take a local class. Have your wife take it, too.

Preferably from a company who will give you a discount for having taken a class with them.

Just get out there. Don't have to cross an ocean. A lake will do, initially.

If you really want to travel, go to Annapolis and cruise for a week on the Chesapeake. (Again, any will do, but you can try Annapolis Sailing School.)

[mark58]

Thank you

[dougweibel]

If your goal is cruising with your family then this is absolutely what I'd do, and is in fact what I did do. It is not the low cost option but it is the option from which you will learn the most, and not just about sailing the boat. Sign you and your wife up for an ASA 101-104 live aboard class where you will be on the boat for 5 to 7 days (day and night). I know you have already taken 101. The point is to both get the the coursework you are thinking of, for not only yourself but for your wife as well, and to get you, and more importantly your wife, a glimpse of what it is like to live on a cruising boat. You might learn your wife hates it. While not a desired outcome knowing that now is much better than finding out after rearranging your lives. Also, if you are going cruising with two small children you are going to want the flexibility afforded by not being the only one on the boat with some knowledge and experience.

[letsgetsailing3]

I think what I'd be tempted to do in your situation is send your wife to a local ASA 101 course, and if that goes well do the week-long cruising course with Annapolis Sailing school together. If there's an "all female" ASA 101 course, that might be good.

Sailing is one of those things where knowledge makes you love it more, if you have any interest at all. Clearly you're already hooked, so the buy in is the critical part. It's easy to mistake your enthusiasm for that of others. If she does a weekend course first, it will take some of the stress aspects out of the cruising course, and it will be more like a vacation.

[George DuBose]

FWIW, I have 60 years of sailing experience, but wife wants to sail to Croatia. Croatia requires all captains in their territorial waters to have an ICC or equivalent.

I looked at the different possibilities and the RYA wanted a 5 day practical exam as well as their online theory course.

I found NauticEd in the US, took their online course, also the Florida Boating Safety course and a 6 HOUR practical exam in Tampa Bay. I got a BBCM/SLC license from NauticEd and the Croats specifically accept that.

I paid less than $1000 for the whole program including renting a sailboat in Tampa Bay.

It is important that if you plan to sail with your wife that she feels confident in your boat operating and that she could "take over" if something happened to you.

[mark58]

Just want to thank everyone for there input. Some good advice with the classes and to make sure the wife gets involved.