Brand new member.

[CJD]

Hello all. Where do I start? No vessel, very little experience and knowledge, but I do have the heart of a sailor. On the bright side, I just moved to Essex, CT. Any suggestions as to where to begin my journey?

[Capt Phil]

Read, read, and read some more... questions will come up and forums like this are an excellent source for answers provided you realize the answers are worth exactly what you paid for them ! Good luck and welcome...
Phil

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, CJD.


Drop in at one of the yacht clubs. Perhaps you can find a crewing opportunity.

[CJD]

Thank you GordMay and Capt Phil. Good advice from both. Looks like a learning how to crawl before standing upright situation.
“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.”

[Pete17C]

I took my US Sailing Basic Keelboat and Basic Cruising classes at Sound Sailing Center in Norwalk CT. I highly recommend them. Looks like just under $4k will get you a daysailer membership and the US Sailing Basic Keelboat class. Then you can sail their fleet of Pearson Ensigns all year (they keeps a couple of boats in year round) as often as you like.

You would pay close to that just for summer dockage/winter storage for most boats if you want to be a boat owner. This way you can get your feet wet at minimal cost/investment.


https://soundsailingcenter.com/daysailer-membership/

https://soundsailingcenter.com/basic-keelboat/

[Pete17C]

Oh, I should also mention their racing series, you can get out on the water for $40 including the beer afterwards.

https://soundsailingcenter.com/racing-overview/

[CJD]

Thank you Pete17C. This is an option I never even knew existed. Glad I joined this forum.