Howdy from Texas...New Guy

[JimAustinTX]

We (Jill and Jim) are new to sailing. We own a 25' Venture that we will pick up from Idaho in July to sail in Lake Travis in our home town of Austin, Texas and hope to do some coastal cruising in the gulf at some point after we have conquered the lake...Drop a line to say hey, we'd love to get to know some folks and could use any information and tips since we are just beginning to learn this wonderful world of sailing.

[29cascadefixer]

Welcome to the board, y'all. Or should that be " Yawl" Before ya go,please describe for me what it's like to be warm ! It's been TOOOOOO long Winter uphere!

[seaquesta]

I have been sailing all my life. Yep since I was a baby out in Southern California. I've owned a bunch of boats and now sorta live aboard on my Pearson 365.
I've raced, cruised and worked in the industry so as to keep up with what is my life.
If there is one thing I could say that is good advise to someone new to the sailing world it would be "it is never to early to reef!" I could go on and on about this but that info is simple and sure. If you have to think about it then do it. If you are alone or with others it is in the better interest of all to be safer.
Again Aloha!

[JimAustinTX]

29Cascadefixer,

Funny you should ask about the warmth....we had a "cold" day of around 35 and I remembered what the reason was why I don't live up north anymore......

I love 70-80 degree days in Jan and Feb....Winter here consists of about 2 weeks of freezing weather.....just dipping below 32...
BUT!, at the same time it's 95-100 during the summer.

Thanks for the welcome, I am looking forward to getting out on the "high Seas" of Lake Travis and maybe someday the gulf to do some coastal sailing...

Where do you live? How long have you been sailing and what kind of boat do you have?

[JimAustinTX]

Seaquesta,

Thanks for the tip.........I have to admit, I'm only reasonably sure I understand it as I am NEW to sailing. But, if you are referring to reefing the sail to maintain control when the wind gets strong, then I just might be able to learn all this stuff afterall. Do you sail out of Hawaii?

[29cascadefixer]

and it feels like it's just two doors south of the North Pole. I WILL sail a Cascade 29, if I ever finish it. Someday