Hello All

[coldsmoke]

I am new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself.

I am new to sailing - My wife and I just returned from a family trip that included day sailing in south Florida. We had a great time and I would really like to get more into the sport. We live in Montana so the northern west coast will likely be our most common boating area. Seattle is only about 10 hours away.

I am looking into sailing lessons. Next year our family trip plans include crusing for a week somewhere - likely in the Caribbean. My step father has owned a sailboat in Newport CA for many years although currently they live in TX and he doesn't sail. He has never had any formal training. We are both looking into ASA certification but there seems to be quite a range of costs for the 101-104 course. Any input anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

I am looking forward to meeting some of you on this board and thanks in advance for the answers to the many dumb questions I am likely to ask!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Coldsmoke,
Welcome aboard!! Good to have you here. Sounds like you've got some good plans. Sailing courses are a good idea and ASA is a good school. No matter which you choose they always follow the same format so go cheapest if you like. Cost doesn't mean quality in that case.
Check with any Sailing Club, Yacht Club which is close enough to you to visit and see what schools they recommend.
Lots of good library material on sailing and boats so that's anothe good place to spend some time.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[swagman]

Welcome also Coldsmoke,
Trust you enjoy the site as much as the rest of us.
JOHN

[Sunspot Baby]

You can learn a lot about sailing on a small boat in a lake. I did most of my early sailing on a Hobie Cat in Wyoming and Colorado. It might be hard to go to the coast often but a trailer sailer can be a lot of fun and learning for you and a family.

I'm not saying you shouldn't get to the big pond as often as possible, but maybe don't limit your learning to those rare occaisions.

George

[sv_makai]

Welcome to a wonderful world and a grat sport.

When my wife got interested we took a vacation and did an offshore school at Chapman's in FL(the people that wite the BOOK). The fees included everthing. Food and shelter (38 foot Endevor), Licensed captain and teacher. The program allow you to select and 2 of the courses they offered and not everyone had to chose the same.

There were 4 students and the teacher and we spent 10 days sailing in and around the Bahamas which inlcuded to overnight passages from FL. We learned, practiced, put into use lessons, had the opportunity to learn even more than the classes offered, had fun, and Vaction in the Bahamas.

It was a great way to get offhsore experince, vaction, learn, and the price was very reasonable. On the drive home from Fl to VA all that my wife said for the whole trip was "can we buy a boat, can we buy a boat..."