All I want to do is sail, but I'm poor

[GlobalRonin]

Hello all,


I've been dreaming of sailing/learning how to sail for the last 20 years, so I figured I'd join up and live vicariously through you all I've been out a few times and loved every minute of it. My wife and I are new to Portsmouth NH and being so near the ocean has really been hard. I hung out on the jetty at Rye harbor and watch the boats come and go last summer. It's kind of depressing.... My wife and I live pretty much check to check right now, so buying a boat/renting a boat or even taking lessons has not really been an option. Dose anyone have suggestions as to how I may get involved at all? I just received my license as a massage therapist here in NH and was thinking of putting a craigslist ad offering to trade massage for sailing lessons, but that's about my only idea. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Ciao,

J

[Lake-Effect]

Welcome!

Best ideas - join a sailing club or other community sailing organization. Social (no-boat) memberships are usually inexpensive, and you will quickly find that alot of people want willing crew to help. Many clubs also have sailing lessons for members at low cost. Once you're a club member, you are sometimes allowed to advertise on the club bulletin board. If you're good, word will get around.

I'm an advocate of small cheap boats (cos that's what we have). If you decide you really love sailing, and you want a cheap intro boat that's alot of fun to sail, and can be used for long weekend "cruising", you can find used small microcruisers for $5k or less, complete. When we were drysailing, I figure our total annual cost for boat ownership, upkeep, club and consumables, was less than smoking a pack a day (at Canadian cigarette prices)

Good luck!

[sailorboy1]

I sail out of Salem MA, PM me and convince you aren't a nut and I will consider taking you out; for a foot rub!

[cwyckham]

Also consider finding all the local clubs that race. They are often looking for crew, and some boats will train from scratch. Many clubs have a policy of never leaving anybody on the dock on race nights because they know that good crew are hard to find.

[tdominic_97]

I would be careful with the craigslist ad, you will be getting a lot of request for special massages. You know the kind with happy endings. Check out the local sailing for clubs, I googled this, have no idea what it is, but its in your area Virtual Yacht Club (Portsmouth, NH) - Meetup . I am sure there are more. Also check out the local university for sailing class or clubs, never know, you might qualify for a grant or scholarship. The more people you meet in the area, the more people you will meet with similar hobbies.
Good luck,
Thomas

[Nicholson58]

I followed postings on the boards at yachtclubs and eventually connected by calling the local sail maker. He connected me with a great owner & crew. I sailed with them for 16 years or so. You will learn a lot. Find people who have fun and who do not yell. We won a lot of flags and relish trays.

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by tdominic_97

...I googled this, have no idea what it is, but its in your area Virtual Yacht Club (Portsmouth, NH) - Meetup...

This is good advice. I've joined a couple of Meetup groups and find them a great way to meet and participate in activities with other local folks with common interests. Meetup is a nationwide network, and has a very good reputation.

[Stu Jackson]

Hi and welcome.

Good advice here.

While you're at it, buy and read:

1. Sailing for Dummies - a really good book

2. Don Guillete's Sail Trim book - you'll learn more in an hour than most people you'll ever sail with and it includes a chapter on racing that's one of the best I've ever read. Sail Trim Users Guide

Good luck, it's all worth it!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, GlobalRonin.

[CaptTom]

Google Piscataqua Sailing Association. I'm not a member myself, but I know some. They race a couple of different classes weekly out of Portsmouth Harbor, and they have other events during the summer. In the spring they have a get-together where they sort out crew. PM me if you want a contact.

You also have the crew section here, and Points East Magazine crew match section. There are other clubs in the area I don't know much about, but you should be able to Google them.

[goat]

Classes schmasses. Buy a boat, read a book, and off you go. Bring grapefruit.
Sailor abandons boat off Florida coast - Page 6 - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

[thinwater]

1. Read.

2. Buy a small boat. A dingy that can sit in your side yard. The y are BEST fro learning anyway.

3. Practice.

Sailing only cost when you get big.

Sail Delmarva: The Merits of Learning to Sail on a Small Boat

[Cormorant]

There's a Sunfish for sale for $300 in Wolfeboro. You could do a lot of learning and have a lot of fun with one of those.

[Celestialsailor]

Welcome to the forum. The only constant in life is change. Your circumstances will not remain the same if you focus and strive towards a positive path to your dreams. It worked for me.

[Azul]

There are always older guys with a big boat they have trouble sailing single-handed, they are glad to take a newbie out especially on week days and especially if you offer to help them do a little maintenance on the boat. Works for airplane rides also! Put a note up on the marina's message board. Don't offer to massage, unless it is to massage a hull. Read about how not to lose a finger in a winch before your first outing. If you love boats, consider also working part time for a yacht detailing business... you will make plenty of connections for rides and make a little extra money.