Where are all the newbie sailors?

[Dory]

I'm a new sailor (and a brand new member here) and I'm looking for a place in this forum that is dedicated to those of us who are beginners at this. It would be really useful to have a place to chat to those who are currently doing their RYA Day Skipper course, for example. I can't find a single community online that is for this purpose. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thank you!

[Slovak]

Welcome aboard, you've taken the first step. Many newbies are shy to post, so you're already ahead of the game. Stick around, read, ask lots of questions. You'll get many opinions, pick and choose what suits you.

I've only been around a short time and I have made some very interesting and helpful contacts.

[Dave_S]

I am still a newbie, joined a couple of years ago now, asked and still asking lots of dumb questions and read answers to other people's newbie questions, there are very few keyboard warriors, almost all want to share their knowledge and experiences in a helpful way.

I find this forum invaluable, ask away.

[gamayun]

Welcome, Dory!! The new sailors are all over! Ignore the advice of any who might chastise you for not knowing something and take a grain of salt with everything you read. This forum and others are like your tool box. You might not have much in it yet because you haven't really worked in the different systems, but you'll get out of it what you need as you put more effort into it. If course, you could start a thread called "for new sailors only" but I can tell you based on what happens in the women's threads that everyone will want to chime in, which is not necessarily a bad thing either

[knockabout]

they are busily learning to sail and enjoying their boats / after a while they relax and enjoy themselves / sometimes even join www.cruisersforum.com

[Dash-Robo]

After extensive research into Rya qualifications and lesson plans and practical assessment
If you follow the rya learning track it's expensive and very repitious
If you can get mile builder rides or own a keel boat you can put learning to application
Recently saw a Rya trainer offering Fast track , beginner up to yacht master coastal theory for about a $1000 au Practical examinations are compency based
They recommend after theory you do a 5 day pre exam on the boat prior to
The final exam
Navathome.com.au
also recommended is First Aid (remote or wilderness is a superior level to the Rya)
Radio Opperators Lisence and Safety and survival vessel abandonment
Ask your trainer about an ICC this should be issued at he same time

[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!

[annualLeave]

Hello Dory,
There are many newbies in the forum. Take the opportunity and ask questions and you will find both experienced and beginners replying.

Enjoy

[JohnC65]

Do you need a license to operate a sailboat?

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by JohnC65

Do you need a license to operate a sailboat?

Probably, depends on where you are.

In Australia you need a recreational boating licence. It gives you the right to captain any......ANY...... non commercial boat (except a PWC). You can buy a cruise ship and register it as recreational and your good to go.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by JohnC65

Do you need a license to operate a sailboat?

In the US the answer will generally be that some manner of permit is required if it has a motor (varies with the state) but not for sail-only.


The permit does NOT cover sailing, only basic safety rules.

[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.

[2savage]

You'll never really learn how to sail on a forum or in a classroom. So now it's time to figure out how to get on a sailboat. And this should NOT need money to do so. People need crew. Many sailing clubs have newbie programs and some even have club owned boats to help 'new blood' get into the game.

My Club here in USA (City Island Yacht Club) has several such programs with Club boats too.

[gamayun]

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.

California implemented a new law in 2018 that will require all recreational boaters to have a "boater card," which means the person has passed a boating safety course. There are some exceptions and it won't be fully implemented until 2024, but anyone with a boat that has a motor eventually will be required to get the card.

[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?