Getting Started

[420]

First off, I'm 13 and I live in charleston, sc, and I've just gotten started sailing. I've taken 2 different classes on beginners and intermediate sailing at the charleston yacht club and completely understand how to rig & sail 420's.

I just don't know where to go from here. I'm interested in
Bluewater cruising, but how do I get there? How do I get onto "the big" boats?

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum 420

[callmecrazy]

Start saving...

Bigger boats and everything that goes with them is all very expensive. Not too expensive, I do it about as cheaply as possible... But you got a long way to go before you can even get a job and start saving money. Start now, Save every penny you get. When you get a job, do it with the purpose of saving for a boat. You'll get there...

As for sailing, if you're a member of the yacht club you have a great start. Just start crewing for the local races and maybe even get a little dinghy (make your parents get you one!) or use the yacht club boats. They should have a small fleet of boats they will let you sail with when you're ready. I'm not sure how that all works, but that's pretty much what yacht clubs are for (besides drinking beer and looking cool).

Don't worry about the bluewater thing yet, you got plenty of time. Just go sailing whenver you can, on any type of boat you can, and save, save, save.

Good luck.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, 420.
What callmecrazy said.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Ask some of your club members about how to get trained on the larger boats. I'll bet someone will invite you to go racing or day sailing and you'll get all the instruction you need. Hang in there and remember persistence is the key to getting what you want.
kind regards,