Another Carolina Newbie

[andbell]

Hi All

I just wanted to say Hi and introduce myself to the forum
I just moved over to the US from N.Ireland and I am keen to learn
to sail.
(I really probably should have done this sooner when I lived by the sea
on the emerald isle)

I am living near Huntersville NC, so close to Lake Norman but not handy for the coast.

My plan is to start with small boat sailing on the Lake (Flying Scot) and then maybe to do some crewing on the coast to get experience and do some courses.

I have two young children (7 and 3) and I would like my 7 year old to learn to sail on Lake Norman (I have found a club with lessons using Optimists)

Someday I would like to own my own boat - maybe start with a 28ft and move to 32ft or above as I gain experience (or gain more money!!)

Ultimate dream would be to set sail for 1 year with the family when the kids are older and can help to crew - only problem is wife who likes hotels and not boats!

I hope to meet some people and get out on the water in Carolinas

Andy

[HappyMdRSailor]

Man!!!

NC is like the clown car of new CFr's !!!! They just keep coming... and coming... !!!

Welcome to the forum Andy!

You've got a great plan in the making... Once the kids are hooked... The Admiral will follow... AND... if the Admiral is happy... EVERYBODY is happy!

There are tons of guys who would love to take ya along for rides... Post a note in the crew section when you're ready...

Speaking of tons... There are TONS of 22-30' boats out there right now you could step into without breaking the bank... $1500-7k....

Once you're ready for your grand plan... You'll be able to find something that is "hotel like" enough to please the admiral... I'm sure...

Cheers!

[Celestialsailor]

Welcome to the forum

[Waterway Guide]

Welcome aboard!

[Flem.S.Coyle]

Howdy, Andy. Welcome to the forum and to the Old North State.

Optimist Club sailing sounds like a great idea for the kids. Good luck with the Admiral.

-Jeff (clown car driver)

[Neo]

Welcome aboard, Andy. Sounds like you have a great plan. Sailing in shifty lake winds in a small boat is a great way to learn sailing from the bottom up, pun intended. If you haven't capsized, you aren't sailing.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Neo

Welcome aboard, Andy. Sounds like you have a great plan. Sailing in shifty lake winds in a small boat is a great way to learn sailing from the bottom up, pun intended. If you haven't capsized, you aren't sailing.

+1
Good one Neo!!!

[Raider Curt]

Welcome to Carolinas. When I was searching for boats, there were a lot for sale in the Lake Norman area. I just couldn't figure out how to sail or motor them to the coast.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

Man!!!

NC is like the clown car of new CFr's !!!! They just keep coming... and coming... !!!

Cheers!

Now that's funny!

Aloha and welcome aboard the forum. I hope you know what clown cars are because it would be hard to explain. Maybe there is a you tube video on the suject.

If you're near a lake and it ever warms up enough you could buy a used Sunfish for about $400 and read "Start Sailing Right!" and have a great time or you could find a club and take sailing lessons. I'd recommend the sailing lessons route if they are reasonably priced and available locally.

kind regards,

[andbell]

Hi All

Thanks for the very warm and welcoming replies

I called by North Carolina Community Sailing & Rowing which has a club house and pontoon on Lake Norman and was made a very welcome visitor.

I got on on the lake with a few members on a Flying Scott and they also have a Sunfish fleet so there is more than enough there for me to get going with.

I got signed up for some lessons - next step World Arc!! (maybe not!)

Neo - you are spot on about the shifty winds!! I did not believe the wind could be so variable within a relatively small area - I am used to living near the north atlantic coast and when it blows it blows hard in the same direction almost all day!

I had to remind myself (using google) what a clown car is -

I will have to work on the admiral but I got the two cabin boys
(aged 7 and 3) already under the sailing spell and the 3 year old keeps asking the admiral "boat - boat - daddy get me boat"

Cheers again for the welcome

Andy

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by andbell

Hi All

Thanks for the very warm and welcoming replies

I called by North Carolina Community Sailing & Rowing which has a club house and pontoon on Lake Norman and was made a very welcome visitor.

I got on on the lake with a few members on a Flying Scott and they also have a Sunfish fleet so there is more than enough there for me to get going with.

I got signed up for some lessons - next step World Arc!! (maybe not!)

Neo - you are spot on about the shifty winds!! I did not believe the wind could be so variable within a relatively small area - I am used to living near the north atlantic coast and when it blows it blows hard in the same direction almost all day!

I had to remind myself (using google) what a clown car is -

I will have to work on the admiral but I got the two cabin boys
(aged 7 and 3) already under the sailing spell and the 3 year old keeps asking the admiral "boat - boat - daddy get me boat"

Cheers again for the welcome

Andy

This puts a grin on my face!