New to this ~ Buying a Newport 30 MKIII

[jimm22n]

Hi. Am new to this site.

Did small boat sailing in Norfolk in the 90's and actually got a few trophys in the Laser, 420, and 17' day sailers. Fast fwd to now when I'm an OLD 47yo. Am about to make an offer on a Newport 30' in Corpus Christi where it is normally pretty windy (10-15kts avg all year) more or less. Keeping in mind the wind and everything else that you all know, and I havent yet learned...

I'd like to sail this boat singlehanded most of the time. No long Bahama adventures or medium ICW trips, just messing around in CC bay and sooner or later up & down the coast from Mexico to the Houston area. More or less short trips at most for now. (got to continue to work)

As I said its pretty windy here... I have a few sailing buddies and can get help with this boat the first few times but my question is:

Is it resonable for me to expect to be able to handle this boat in & out of the slip, and sail in these conditions alone, after some coaching & learning with others?

Input welcome.
Thanks, Jim

Ps: I'm a pilot & figure that if I can handle my plane I should be able to learn this with time & effort???

[Opie91]

Jim,

First of all Welcome to Cruisers Forum!!!

As for your docking question it is going to depend on the slip mostly. Picking a marina that is protected from the wind and current will go a long way to making your job easier. Also consider a mooring instead of a slip, if you overrun it, the ball hits the hull and thats about it.

I personally do not like to single hand a sailboat. Have done it in the past and will probably do it again, but only when I have too. For me its a safety thing. One wrong move and your unconscious in the water. If someone else is on board you at least have a chance.

Since the boat will be new to you there will likely be equipment failures. Having another person on board that can manage the boat while you fix/figure the problem out can be quiet handy.

Without a lot of recent sailing experience it probably would not be wise to set such a lofty short term goal. Why not enjoy some company with friends (even if the do not know how to sail) for the first few years and then see how it goes? You could also check out the local racing circuit and see who is looking for crew. That way you could see how others handle larger boats and sharpen up your sailing skills. Someone is always looking for a grinder/rail meat.

Good luck.

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum

[SkiprJohn]

The Newport is a great boat for what you are intending to use it. Very roomy interior for a 30. Make certain you have it surveyed and check for hull blistering.
After a few days on the water with your local "experts" and with a sheltered slip you should be doing just fine. 10-15 knots is perfect sailing weather and just on the verge of putting in a reef so you might want to practice that while you have others aboard.
Racing rules of the road are a little different than International Rules of the Road so you might want to bone up on them. I use the book, The One-Minute Guide to the Nautical Rules of the Road by Charlie Wing.
kind regards,