Catamaran sail training in Australia

[ozskipper]

Originally Posted by Heg

OK,OK I hear ya -You have very good point. Guess I will have to slum it on a mono for a few weekends... Have to say I'm very excited about it all

Definitely. Even bad day, on an oyster barge, beats a good day at the office. So just get out there on whatever you can. In fact sailing a variety of boats will increase your learning curve even more as you are introduced to different systems.

(Oh, oh, be careful what you say about monos. We outnumber cat sailors. Hmm, the name Custer comes to mind lol.)

[allatsea99]

Just a suggestion. You will learn so much if you get the chance to sail a dinghy cat -its very direct you'll get a clear idea of what they're good at and not so good at AND it will demonstrate the forces at work which are often hidden on cruisers. If you get the chance to have a go - most clubs have a Hobie cat or similar. The best sailors usually have dinghy experience. Have fun you'll have a blast.

[ozskipper]

Originally Posted by allatsea99

Just a suggestion. You will learn so much if you get the chance to sail a dinghy cat -its very direct you'll get a clear idea of what they're good at and not so good at AND it will demonstrate the forces at work which are often hidden on cruisers. If you get the chance to have a go - most clubs have a Hobie cat or similar. The best sailors usually have dinghy experience. Have fun you'll have a blast.

Great advice

[Smooth Cruiser]

As Boardshorts said earlier - go down to Royal Qld Yacht Squadron on a Wednesday and jump on any boats you can for the Wags race. Ask to get on a cat an they can usually find one to suit you. Great afternoon out and you will learn heaps for free. Get there about 12 to ensure you get on a boat. I have a cat and sail Wags regularly and always take out a few people.

You will meet people who own and sail boats similar to what you are thinking of, and it is a great way to join the community. Also consider joining the Multihull Yacht Club of Queensland - go to the website mycq.org.au They meet the first Thursday of every month at Manly and are a group of cruising and racing multihull enthusiasts - join them for cruise weekends, crew on a race yacht or just have a chat at the meetings.

Formal training obviously has a big place but don't underestimate the value you can get from informal sailing/chatting/socialising. Extended cruising is a lifestyle thing and you want to start talking to people who have lived or are living this lifestyle.

[Heg]

Originally Posted by Smooth Cruiser

As Boardshorts said earlier - go down to Royal Qld Yacht Squadron on a Wednesday and jump on any boats you can for the Wags race. Ask to get on a cat an they can usually find one to suit you. Great afternoon out and you will learn heaps for free. Get there about 12 to ensure you get on a boat. I have a cat and sail Wags regularly and always take out a few people.

You will meet people who own and sail boats similar to what you are thinking of, and it is a great way to join the community. Also consider joining the Multihull Yacht Club of Queensland - go to the website mycq.org.au They meet the first Thursday of every month at Manly and are a group of cruising and racing multihull enthusiasts - join them for cruise weekends, crew on a race yacht or just have a chat at the meetings.

Formal training obviously has a big place but don't underestimate the value you can get from informal sailing/chatting/socialising. Extended cruising is a lifestyle thing and you want to start talking to people who have lived or are living this lifestyle.

Thanks for this. Can't do Wednesday afternoons as we both work full time, but can certainly get to the Multihull club on Thursday evenings.