Visit our Popular Forums

DarkRiderTommy · 19-01-2011, 17:53

I've never sailed but it sounds extremely cool, and I heard this girl younger than me sailed around the world. So I was wondering how much something like that would cost and stuff, and what sort of training do you need? Where can you learn to sail? I live in Toronto which is not near the ocean. Please let me know and many thanks!

**hummingway** · 19-01-2011, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkRiderTommy

I've never sailed but it sounds extremely cool, and I heard this girl younger than me sailed around the world. So I was wondering how much something like that would cost and stuff, and what sort of training do you need? Where can you learn to sail? I live in Toronto which is not near the ocean. Please let me know and many thanks!

Welcome Tommy. Once this terrible season has left us they do sail on Lake Ontario. One way to learn to sail would be to head down to one of the yacht clubs and volunteer to help crew with one of the boats.

Cost varies tremendously but sailboats aren't cheap to keep. A good place to start is crewing on others boats.

You can learn a lot reading this forum.

**skipmac** · 19-01-2011, 18:07

If you have never been sailing and want to get into it as cheaply as possible I would suggest two things.

One, read every thing you can about boats, boating, sailing, navigation and anything else vaguely related to the subject.

Then go hang out with sailors, in person and on line. Local marinas and yacht clubs is where you will find a lot of sailors in one place.

Post a note if there is a bulletin board looking for crew positions. Frequently local racers will need an extra hand just to be muscle to crank winches and such. If you're willing to work hard and chip in, pay attention and learn you will get invited back. Meet more sailors, keep doing the same.

Meanwhile, keep reading to improve your skills.

maxingout · 19-01-2011, 18:09

There are many great books and blogs that deal with the nuts and bolts of doing a circumnavigation. Cost vary greatly, and doing it on the cheap like a backpacker in a basic boat is possible, but not many people go that route.

People who are doing not stop circumnavigations don't have a lot of expenses during the trip. But the expenses before the trip and fixing things after the trip will cost lots of money.

**skipmac** · 19-01-2011, 18:17

Oh yes, about the cost. Asking how much it costs to sail is kind of like asking how much a car costs. The answer depends on whether you're talking about a 30 year old Volkswagen with dented fenders and faded paint or a 2010 Ferrari. Same for boats. Read a thread on this forum about cruising on $500/month.

I know of several people that have gotten free boats. A good friend was given a 28' Columbia by someone that could not afford to pay storage and up keep. Took him two years working every weekend and a couple thousand for paint, parts and such but he's got a pretty good boat to sail.

Do be careful about free boats. Some of them end up costing more to fix than it would cost to buy one in better shape. Plus you need the DIY skills and tools to do the fix up.

Elsakis · 19-01-2011, 18:32

If I were you I would start reading everything I could about sailing then when spring comes get a small sail boat. You can find many Ok first boats for not alot of money my first cost me 1200USD and 75 hours of work to get her on the water. She was a 18ft Cape Dory Typhoon that was in my buddy's Barn and I restored all of the wood and painted the hull. I also had to replace some lines. All boats need work all the time, for me though it's a Zen thing. It makes me feel in touch with the boat to work on her, it also sucks when stuff breaks when you are off shore. If I were you I would look into Hobie Cats and Lazers. They are both mass produced and can be found for a fair price. If you want to get into sailing for free just go to your closest sailing club and try to find somebody who needs crew. Most sailors are qute friendly and in need of crew.
Good Luck

**boatman61** · 19-01-2011, 19:02

What they said.... I'd leave the wondering about the cost of sailing round the world till later... learn to sail and fix things competently.... then one day not to far away if your determined you'll suddenly realise you know the answer

markpierce · 19-01-2011, 19:28

How much are you willing to spend? It costs a few hundred dollars a year if you belong to a sailing club, and there is no upper limit.

Wand · 19-01-2011, 20:30

Youngsters like the OP should always start out in racing dinghies - you'll learn more in a few seasons than yonks on big boats and those lessons will inform you forever. So I agree with the poster above who advises that you get yourself into a cat or fast mono dinghy and fly. And don't even think about a keeler till you're well on the way to crumblihood.

MarkJ · 19-01-2011, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkRiderTommy

I've never sailed but it sounds extremely cool,

Very cool! Cooler in the Pacific North West than tropical areas, but warm folks enjoy it too. They do sweat a bit and it smells.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkRiderTommy

and I heard this girl younger than me sailed around the world.

She is cute. Are you? We decided only nice looking people can sail.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkRiderTommy

So I was wondering how much something like that would cost and stuff,

Define 'stuff'? Then we can zero in on the exact dollars you will need.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkRiderTommy

and what sort of training do you need?

None. Many olympic sailors never went to sailing school.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkRiderTommy

I live in Toronto which is not near the ocean.

I am failing to provide an answer to this.... perhaps you could ask Toronto to move?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkRiderTommy

Please let me know and many thanks!

My pleasure

Mark

**hummingway** · 19-01-2011, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkJ

My pleasure

Mark

Me thinks a little too much pleasure this particular evening

**boatman61** · 19-01-2011, 21:15

MarkJ's just got in from de Pub... he did'nt score.....

Sailmonkey · 19-01-2011, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkRiderTommy

I've never sailed but it sounds extremely cool, and I heard this girl younger than me sailed around the world. So I was wondering how much something like that would cost and stuff, and what sort of training do you need? Where can you learn to sail? I live in Toronto which is not near the ocean. Please let me know and many thanks!

Yes.....

sammyo · 19-01-2011, 21:34

To follow the theme: Sailing is free. No tax on wind, yet. Getting a cheap/free boat is pretty easy, and if you own shorefront with a pier, tieing the boat up is also free. For the rest of us, it's some form of transition between the boat to land that is a big cost. But do look around, a mooring may not be too costly. Some sailing clubs (yacht clubs) are not too pricey. Do look into community boating organizations, generally an incredible deal.