Greetings from Florida

[Playswithfire]

Hello,

Jeff here, wife and I are interested in learning to sailing and possibly crusing once the kids are gone.

We live in NE Florida and enjoy spending time on the water. Too bad it's mostly been on power boats

Looking to learn all we can from the forum here. Thanks for having us.

[TaoJones]

Welcome to the Forum, Playswithfire. Glad you're here.

There are members here who are strictly power-people, so don't think that having that in your background is a bad thing. Many sailors opt to give up sailing in their later years, but still cruise aboard power vessels - once a waterman, well, you know how it is . . .

Where in NE Florida are you?

TaoJones

[rleslie]

Welcome aboard....how far from Panama City are you?

[vonotto]

Hello, People here are VERY helpful and nice.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Plays,
Welcome aboard!! Good to have you here and hope you don't mind asking questions. You'll be getting a lot of advice and sometimes you have to pick and chose what is best for you.
I recommend the book "Start Sailing Right!"
Its good for beginners and old salts too. Mostly designed for small boats but has some great tips.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[Playswithfire]

Hey everyone, thanks for the warm welcome.

We're close to St Augustine Florida. Love the beaches over in Panama City though

I'll look that book up SkiprJohn, thanks for the advice!

[swagman]

Hi Jeff and spouse,
Just remember the kids never really 'go' anywhere - but its a nice thought. Welcome to the site - hope you, like us - find it usefull.
JOHN

[Ex-Calif]

Welcome Jeff - Don't worry - 90% of the boats in here have a motor ;-)

I consider it backup motivation for the boat...

[bearphish]

The kids might not go anywhere, but THEY CAN... hehe

[rleslie]

If you don't mind traveling to Panama City, I highly recommend you take the beginning ASA sailing course from Reef Runner Sailing. I truly thought that teaching my wife to sail was a lost cause after 5 years on me, my friends, and her friends trying to teach her with absolutely no luck. Capt Pete had her single-handing after 3 days. We now cruise 6 months each year. Capt Pete is great!!!!!!!

[Playswithfire]

Thanks rleslie, I'll check into that.

Where in NC do you stay? I lived near Asheville for 12 years before moving to Florida.

[hatteras]

Go to any yacht club in your area & get info. most would be happy to have you aboard and teach you for free. Thats the way I learned. Most clubs have a weekly evening race.

[Reality Check]

As I recall, you have two or more ASA schools in St. Augustine... one just by the Bridge of Lions or at least it was prior to the construction project.

Like any class, you need to get an understanding on what the qualifications of the instructor are and what the intent of the class is. I did the ASA series.. well let us just say more than a few years ago and had a great instructor in the Melbourne Area but he went cruising some time ago and I don't think is involved or in the area anymore.

While Panama City may have good classes (I'm now in Panama City for a few months)... the 8 to 10 hour drive on 95 and 10 will KILL you... and you probably need to take at least the first 3 classes and they are best taken on weekends over a couple of weeks. That could mean a dozen or more trips to PC, effectively loosing 2 days per trip just in travel when you can probably get what your looking for in St. Augustine.