Brand New Sailor From Oregon

[mmm91492]

Hello everyone!

My name is Morgan and I've never been sailing in my life

A few months ago I watched a documentary about the '68 Sunday Times race around the world and Bernard Motissier's choice to continue his trip really resonated with me. As I learned more about him I found out about cruising and haven't been able to get the idea out of my mind since.

But if I'm really serious about doing it, I've got to take the first step, right? I've currently been reading and learning the basics of sailing and am hoping to take a local ASA 101 course in March.

In the meantime, I'm really interested in learning more and connecting with experienced sailors near and far (but let's get real, preferably near). I'd really like to get out and sail to see how I take to it. I'm no stranger to the ocean, but technical sailing is vastly different than the charter fishing I'm used to!

So anyway, I just wanted to say hello and let everyone know that I'm excited to meet new people and learn what I can! And if anyone has any advice for an absolute beginner, it's very much appreciated

[redhead]

Welcome to CF!

Lots to learn here and it sounds like your taking the right first steps. I was pretty much the same as you - just couldn't get the stuff out of my head. I read all the books, starting hanging down at the docks and pretty soon was sailing.

Good luck to you and hope to hear more about your adventures!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Morgan.

[boatman61]

Welcome to CF..

[CapnSparky]

Good Morning Morgan,
Where do you live in Oregon?
I'm about 30 miles west of PDX, liveaboard, and have about 18,000 nm cruising so far sailing across the equator twice.....I would be happy to share my experiences if you're interested.

[Don C L]

Welcome aboard Morgan! Get yourself a fun little boat and, in your case, a good wetsuit and get out and get wet sailing around, learning the basics in a hands-on way, making lots of mistakes! Just be sure you aren't near any other boats when making the mistakes!

[mmm91492]

Thank you so much everyone for the warm welcome! Right now I'm just reading and learning, picking up the terminology and basics.
Like others have suggested I'm planning on picking up a second hand skiff in the next few months that I can learn on.

Originally Posted by CapnSparky

Good Morning Morgan,
Where do you live in Oregon?
I'm about 30 miles west of PDX, liveaboard, and have about 18,000 nm cruising so far sailing across the equator twice.....I would be happy to share my experiences if you're interested.

I would be very interested - I'm in PDX currently but find my way out to the coast fairly often. Manzanita's one of my favorite spots out that way!

[Cool Hand Luke]

Welcome! If you're ever in NJ, stop by Jersey City and we can sail around NYC!

[CapnSparky]

Good morning Morgan,
After my original response to your post I remembered the PDX "meetups" group specifically meant for beginning sailors. You can find them online. I liveaboard in St. Helens and see them tied up at the city public dock routinely.
Believe me, we were all a "newbie" at some point in time. I'm a retired Coast Guard instructor and I sat in that rescue 44" MLB seat, harnessed myself in, grabbbed ahold of the throttles and wheel for the first time, and did it. It's all attitude!
I'm a little hesitant to post much personal contact information on here. Any ideas on how we can put this together?
Dennis

[mmm91492]

Originally Posted by CapnSparky

Good morning Morgan,
After my original response to your post I remembered the PDX "meetups" group specifically meant for beginning sailors. You can find them online. I liveaboard in St. Helens and see them tied up at the city public dock routinely.
Believe me, we were all a "newbie" at some point in time. I'm a retired Coast Guard instructor and I sat in that rescue 44" MLB seat, harnessed myself in, grabbbed ahold of the throttles and wheel for the first time, and did it. It's all attitude!
I'm a little hesitant to post much personal contact information on here. Any ideas on how we can put this together?
Dennis

Hmm I tried sending you a message but I guess I can't yet as a new member.

My email is mmm91492@gmail.com - you can get in touch there if you'd like