New Guy...

[Texas Raider]

Hey, new guy here. So new it hurts.

Thing is, I'm a landlocked 46 yr old that has been dreaming of owning and mastering a cruiser for years. Fact is, don't even know how to sail. At all.

But I'm going to, though. I've got a handful of years and then I'll be retired and am aiming at getting a cruiser and spending an obscene amount of time in the Caribbean.

My question is, for a guy that is just starting the baby steps of all of this, what are the best books to read to get the knowledge base up before I actually put my hand on the wheel? I have a some time, so it'd be nice to get 'edumacated' before I get to the doing part.

Thanks
TR

[Flamingo1]

I'm new too - and just like you, I have been dreaming for many years about someday cruising. Until 2009, I had never even been on a sailboat - but then went out on an 18 foot Hobie catamaran.

In November 2013, I bought an inexpensive Macgregor Venture 21 - solely for the purpose of learning to sail. I've been out a few times on it and plan to go out this weekend. I live in Arizona, so I'm just as landlocked as you are.

At some point, you have to start taking the steps to make the dream become a reality. Advice that has been given to me - (1) go sail and get hands on experience; (2) take an ASA sailing course; (3) join a local sailing club and participate in their events/races, etc.; (4) check around for people who want "crew" for day sails.

I've found that I can only learn so much by sailing alone. Through success and horrible mistakes, I have learned some, but it would sure be nice to have someone to show you how to do it right!

So, jump in and make it happen!