What's Next?

[Capt. Tdawg]

hello all,

I am new to all this, and definitely have lots of questions. I have been reading the discussions on this website for years and it keeps my dream in motion.

I just moved from Canada to Stuart,Florida for work, house is up for sale in Toronto and once it sells the plan is to buy min 34ft, and jump on as a liveaboard. but I am very green, I have been around and on various boats all my life, but never owned or operated a sailboat.

my wife and I have no kids and I am 38 years old, time to start living a dream I have dreamed of since I was a small guy.

so...did all of you take sailing lessons? through a school? or are there people out there who will teach on their vessel for cheaper?

so may questions...lol

[Hudson Force]

Most agree that the best and quickest learning to sail is on a 8' to 12' sailing dinghy. The response to your actions will be immediate and you will soon pick it up. 'best of all would be a sailing course that teaches sailing on these small boats.

[Celestialsailor]

I agree with the Dinghy concept. Just read a lot here and in libraries. There are tons of boats in Fl. Prices are still low but may be increasing slowly as the economy and manufacturing returns. I am also a Canuck transplant...Welcome to the forum.

[Mattyb]

I was where you were at 2 years ago. My first boat was an S&S 34. I took a 5 day competent crew sailing course and off I went with no previous experience. It's really not that hard to actually sail. The maintenance, Breakdowns, and finer points are the harder parts but you learn as you go. I now liveaboard a 36ft Samson Cshell and have quit my job this week to start my cruising dream for the next few years at least. A lot of it comes down to your resillience and how quickly you pick things up.

[Capt. Tdawg]

you guys are all awesome!! thanks for the tips and feedback. all signed up for sailing lessons...

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
I think most all of the folks here on Cruisers Forum started sailing in several different ways.
I started by joining the Navy with my first ship being a 390 foot long destroyer. I didn't actually start sailing until I took a basic sailing course nine years after that and I took that on an inland lake in Germany. It was nine years later that I bought my first 22 foot sailboat. There was a lot of military and family stuff and places that got in the way of doing this a bit faster.
Hope you can find your "best" way.
kind regards,