Where are all the newbie sailors?

[LoudMusic]

Not entirely pertaining to this thread, but the title made me think of it.

Earlier this year I went sailing with a long time friend that I hadn't seen in probably more than 10 years. I used to crew for him sailing in races on a local lake. This particular day we only saw two other sailboats on the lake (and not many more power boats). He said that sailing was dying off at that lake, literally. The men and women who had sailed there for decades were dying and very few new boaters were coming to the area. Just in the past couple years they had had several memorial services on the water for boater friends.

It just seems tragic and sad to me that a past time I grew up enjoying so much is just fading away.

[laika]

Originally Posted by Rustychase

Hi there! I just joined myself because I'm an aspiring sailor, not yet anywhere close to making it a dream come true though. Once I get these student loans paid off, I'll be looking into buying my own Bluewater boat, as I wish to live aboard and go as many places as I can.

I was also wondering where all the newbies are, and also the younger ones!

Welcome! Youngens are out there but the vast majority are older. I've been wondering the same thing for 10 years now, and suddenly maybe I'm not young anymore either..who knows..

Age is less of a barrier out cruising. Young/old, rich/poor, cats/monos, it doesn't really matter. Though it's always fun to come across boats with the same demographics.

Don't let it stop you!

[Island Time O25]

I believe that most newbie sailors can be found at the local sailing clubs. We have several here with very robust and relatively inexpensive (in sailing terms). Membership fees start at just under $1000 per season, May 1 to Nov 1, which not bad compared to the seasonal costs of skiing for example. Of course it helps to live in a well populated area with a robust sailing scene. May be that should be the start of any search for other newbie sailors. Being in the middle of Kansas or some such may not produce as good search results. ))

PS No offense to any Kansas sailors here. )))

[gamayun]

Originally Posted by 2savage

So master mariners with sixty years of experience have to sit in a classroom with acne faced PWC wannabe's just to keep doing what they already do?

No......

[sonofasonofasailer456]

Originally Posted by JMitchell

Never heard of a permit to boat here in the states. Your boat has to have a registration and if it has an outboard motor it has to have a separate registration for that also.

24 states require a certificate of some sort

[LittleWing77]

Hallo Dory!

How I remember my Day Skipper practical - in the Solent (South part of England). (Sorry I don't know where you are from your profile.) Always remember, when considering wind or tide - tide, always, tide will be the prevailing consideration! heeheehee I'm grinning to myself as I write this. It wasn't a catastrophic mistake or anything, just a 'teaching moment', as they say.

I think the only shortcoming of the RYA qualification system is the gap between Competent Crew and Day Skipper. *How to get that onboard experience?* Anyway, you will. I think the most cool thing about this forum is that overwhelmingly, fellow sailors will encourage you to get out there and do it. Prepare as best you can - then go.

Best of luck with your Day Skipper. And continued sea miles from there!

Warmly,
Maura

[Dennis Clarke]

Good afternoon.....I am also a newbie sailor and decided to follow Cruisers Forum as I find the information, reviews and other areas of great interest. In my case I'm still chasing my dream about being on the water.....At 62 I moved from Canada to Mexico about 4 years ago to retire as I absolutely love the lifestyle. I completed my home here in Aguascalientes 2 years ago and now seriously thinking of selling it and spending some time on the water. Although my sailing experience is limited to crewing on a 30' soling many years ago...my plan (without going into all the details) would be
1. Sell my home (since I have to get near or on the water somehow!)
...By doing so I would have about $140,000 USD. (without having to dip into my other investments)
2. Take the necessary sailing courses so that I would be proficient enough to crew and gain experience on a sailboat....being retired (and single) gives me the advantage of taking on an cruise for any length of time which is nice!
3. Do my research (which has already started) on what kind of boat I'd like to purchase and live aboard.....I know that I would like something close to 40' that I could base somewhere along the coast here in Mexico and travel up and down the coastline as I gain more experience. I would use $100K for purchase of the boat (Hopefully I could get something like a Bavaria 40....year 2011 or close)...and use the balance for upgrades, insurance, moorage, etc.

So that's it.....that's my plan.....Sound crazy!....Maybe....maybe not....but I know one thing for sure - life is too short to sit around contemplating what I should have done...and I don't want to look back when I'm not capable of doing this and saying to myself...."Why didn't I do that".....Go ahead a Live Life

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Dennis.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Dennis Clarke

Good afternoon.....I am also a newbie sailor and decided to follow Cruisers Forum as I find the information, reviews and other areas of great interest. In my case I'm still chasing my dream about being on the water.....At 62 I moved from Canada to Mexico about 4 years ago to retire as I absolutely love the lifestyle. I completed my home here in Aguascalientes 2 years ago and now seriously thinking of selling it and spending some time on the water. Although my sailing experience is limited to crewing on a 30' soling many years ago...my plan (without going into all the details) would be
1. Sell my home (since I have to get near or on the water somehow!)
...By doing so I would have about $140,000 USD. (without having to dip into my other investments)
2. Take the necessary sailing courses so that I would be proficient enough to crew and gain experience on a sailboat....being retired (and single) gives me the advantage of taking on an cruise for any length of time which is nice!
3. Do my research (which has already started) on what kind of boat I'd like to purchase and live aboard.....I know that I would like something close to 40' that I could base somewhere along the coast here in Mexico and travel up and down the coastline as I gain more experience. I would use $100K for purchase of the boat (Hopefully I could get something like a Bavaria 40....year 2011 or close)...and use the balance for upgrades, insurance, moorage, etc.

So that's it.....that's my plan.....Sound crazy!....Maybe....maybe not....but I know one thing for sure - life is too short to sit around contemplating what I should have done...and I don't want to look back when I'm not capable of doing this and saying to myself...."Why didn't I do that".....Go ahead a Live Life

Sounds like a plan to me..
Welcome... and Best wishes..

[Painless]

Originally Posted by 2savage

So master mariners with sixty years of experience have to sit in a classroom with acne faced PWC wannabe's just to keep doing what they already do?

You take the course online. It’s very easy if you have been “boating” for many years. Might be good to bring some people we all complain about up to speed on the regulations.It was free through Boat USA.

[RSH]

Newbie here, too. I've been lurking for a long time, making notes, reading, creating spreadsheets.

Getting closer to our goal

[Hoosierdoc]

Newbie. Working on fixing that

[PLANET EXPRESS]

I too am new sailed on daysailors in the river for years and on other people’s sailboats years ago. Missed sailing looked at classes on bigger boat sailing and seen what it cost decided to spend that money on a boat. Looked around and decided on an island packet 350 bought it and am learning everyday. Selling house and stuff hope to sail off we are late 40s.

[mikeod]

On the East coast most states now require some sort if basic boating safety course to operate over a certain hp, which is not a terrible thing.

[KandPRICHARDSON]

Newbie here as well! Completed ASA 101, 103 and NauticEd Basic Keel/Skipper this summer. Joined the Seattle Sailing Club which has a bunch of great programs to crew and join in on to gain experience and knowledge, as well as offering tons of classes at the club house. love it!