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21-08-2011, 19:06
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1
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Question About Getting Started
Hi,
I live in the pacific northwest and want to get a sailboat so I can tour the islands, etc. I have been a passenger before but never a sailor or owner. I am interested in buying something in the 30-40ft range so that I can go with friends out for a long weekend, maybe up to a week.
I am wondering if I should first learn to sail craft like a singlehanded boat or if this even matters for going on to sail larger craft.
I'd love to hear some advice from experienced sailors!
Best wishes,
Atticus
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21-08-2011, 19:28
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus

Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Lived aboard & cruised for 45 years,- now on a chair in my walk-in closet.
Boat: Morgan OI 413 1973 - Aythya
Posts: 8,504
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Re: Question about getting started
Welcome Atticus, I always favor learning on a little boat. A small boat will react quickly and give you instant feedback to your actions, making learning much quicker.
__________________
Take care and joy, Aythya crew
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21-08-2011, 19:30
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Cruising
Boat: Privilege 39 Catamaran, Exit Only
Posts: 2,723
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Re: Question about getting started
Take some sailing lessons so you can understand what is happening on board. Crew for other people who are day sailing on boats the size you are interested in owning.
Once you get some experience, you will figure out whether you really like sailing enough to invest in a yacht with all of the associated expenses.
Sailing is different from traveling on land, and many people find that the compromises involved in sailing are not their cup of tea. I would find out if I really liked sailing before I would buy a yacht.
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21-08-2011, 20:34
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Posts: 6,252
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Re: Question About Getting Started
I teach folks to sail on bigger boats. Dinghy sailors do learn about the wind, but the whole living aboard a larger boat is a different experience.
Before buying, sail a few boats to learn what you prefer in layouts, sail controls, etc..
__________________
CRYA Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor Evaluator, Sail
IYT Yachtmaster Coastal Instructor
As I sail, I praise God, and care not. (Luke Foxe)
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21-08-2011, 20:56
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Clear Lake Marine Services - Seabrook, Texas
Boat: Gulfstar, Mark II Ketch, 43'
Posts: 2,359
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Re: Question About Getting Started
Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum
__________________
Formerly Santana
The winds blow true,The skies stay blue,
Everyday is a good day for SAILING!!!!
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22-08-2011, 05:13
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#6
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W
Boat: (Cruiser Living On Dirt)
Posts: 51,790
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Re: Question About Getting Started
Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Atticus.
__________________
Gord May
"If you didn't have the time or money to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"
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22-08-2011, 06:16
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Florida
Boat: Gulfstar 50
Posts: 316
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Re: Question About Getting Started
Welcome to CF
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22-08-2011, 07:58
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Annapolis, MD
Boat: Yankee Dolphin 24
Posts: 11
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Re: Question About Getting Started
I had a minor interest in sailing. In May, instead of going on vacation, my wife and I signed up for a 3-day sailing course at J World in Annapolis (where we live). By the second day, we decided to do the 5-day course. By the end of 5 days, I was so hooked--loved sailing about 1000 times more than I expected to. We found the #1 skill, learned quickly, and absolutely essential, is to KNOW WHERE THE WIND IS. If you get this in your head in the beginning, everything falls into place.
A friend let us use her small 18 foot sailboat, and we only sailed with other people. Eventually you have to go solo, so we did...exciting (and some bickering, but we're working on that)! Then a beautiful boat kind of found us, and now we are boat owners.
So my advice: take a sailing course. Go sailing, whenever you can. Enjoy.
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07-09-2011, 12:30
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Nicholasville, Kentucky
Boat: 15 foot Canoe
Posts: 14,191
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Re: Question About Getting Started
Aloha and welcome aboard!
I would recommend at least a basic sailing course before buying or even looking at boats. It will tell you whether or not sailing is for you and will give you hints as to what type of boat you might want to purchase.
kind regards,
__________________
John
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07-09-2011, 14:00
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
Boat: CS36 Traditional
Posts: 551
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Re: Question About Getting Started
Quote:
Originally Posted by atticus_pf
Hi,
I am wondering if I should first learn to sail craft like a singlehanded boat or if this even matters for going on to sail larger craft.
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Welcome aboard Atticus. I bought my first boat (26ft) before I knew how to sail. Prior to that, I had one sailing experience crewing (actually as ballast) in a club race. That hooked me.
I recommend having at least some experience but you can definitely learn on your own boat (although that is a high risk way to get into the sport). We had an instructor come on our boat and teach us directly.
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07-09-2011, 14:44
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: East Tennessee
Boat: 1989 50 ft Roberts
Posts: 859
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Re: Question About Getting Started
"I recommend having at least some experience but you can definitely learn on your own boat (although that is a high risk way to get into the sport). We had an instructor come on our boat and teach us directly"
This is what I am going to do. I have a friend that is a retired sailing instructor, When I get the boat in the water he gets as many free cruises as he wants......
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07-09-2011, 15:06
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
Boat: CS36 Traditional
Posts: 551
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Re: Question About Getting Started
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt sachs
This is what I am going to do. I have a friend that is a retired sailing instructor, When I get the boat in the water he gets as many free cruises as he wants...... 
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Sounds like a plan. I had considered a similar solution.
However, one of the benefits of going with an accredited school is that you get a certificate indicating you have basic training. That in it's self is not important but it may be beneficial if you ever want to charter a boat. Your insurance company also might like to see that training although I have never been asked for it.
Just make sure you want (or even need) to sail. It is easy to get in but hard to get out. Lots' of people will accept your money to buy a boat but only a few people will be willing to pay you for that boat when you want out (believe me, I know).
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