Newbie to Sailing

[WanagiAndMe]

I've been around water ski boats spent Alot of time kite boarding but really only a handful of Sailing experiences.
I pulled the trigger in October on a Bluewater Capable Sailboat. I'm overwhelmed overworked overfrustrated overfeared but have been just putting one foot or wrench, paintbrush, sandpaper etc in front of the other. I have really accomplished alot this winter. Every job takes 2xlonger than thought. Costs more than expected and usually uncovers more work that needs done.

I probably won't splash till winter is over. Maybe End March or Mid April. I need to find someone west coast I can learn to sail from. I'm on disability retirement so I am looking for the Captain Ron special. I have two cabins so I was thinking of crew finder someone with experience trade for free cabin on boat and we can sail from here in Bellingham Washington once launch to Baja Mexico ..
Is that realistic??? Finding someone compent to teach me aboard my own boat ???

Billy

[JPA Cate]

You want to go to Mexico for hurricane season? It runs approx. June to Nov/Dec. If you arrive in the Golfo de California (Sea of Cortez) in early Nov., you are usually, but not always safe from them.

Learn to sail where you are, and once you have circumnavigated Vancouver Is., you'll be ready for whatever else you encounter. You'll still have to learn to look for coral heads in the water, the good news is that it is very doable.

One way to learn to sail is to go where there are little local races, and follow the contestants around the course, and try to keep up with them. Another is to volunteer as crew on their boats, they'll teach you. This will not familiarize you with your own boat, of course, but they're paying their own racing costs. If you're good at teaching yourself, both ways can work. Do learn the Colregs.

Ann

[WanagiAndMe]

Thanks for the tips yes I am self teaching everything at this point working on boat since October helping me to learn systems

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Billy.

[skipmac]

First, your idea to learn from a more experienced sailor is good. I was mostly self taught but after reading and DIY as much as I could, going out with someone else really brought together all the theory.

But I also agree that learning locally before taking off for Mexico. Sailing the California coast is not the best place for a newbie. You might find a local who is boatless and would welcome the opportunity to sail on your boat in exchange for teaching but you might also look for opportunities to crew on someone else's boat.