Learn on a Dinghy or Keelboat?

[bstreep]

I'm late to this discussion. And I'm not going to read all of the responses. Learn on a dinghy. Any dinghy.

[valhalla360]

Depends on the goal:
- If your goal is to become a racer, dingy makes sense as it accelerates the learning process and teaches subtelties.
- If your goal is to become a cruiser, especially if there is a partner who is less sure about the whole thing, a big boat makes more sense. Dunking a reluctant spouse a few times when the dingy flips is a great way to kill the dream. Most cruisers aren't constantly tweaking the sails. You need a basic understanding of how it works and how to do it safely. After that you can refine your skills if you feel the need for greater performance.

[crazyoldboatguy]

If you want to accelerate the learning process, get the dinghy. Nothing hones the skills like a skittish, over-canvassed open cockpit day sailor.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by crazyoldboatguy

If you want to accelerate the learning process, get the dinghy. Nothing hones the skills like a skittish, over-canvassed open cockpit day sailor.

And nothing is worse for a rank beginner to learn on!

The dinghies to which I refer are not skittish nor over-canvassed, and they are quite forgiving in terms of being capsized. Things like the various O'Day Daysailor types, and their many similar companions in the marketplace. This sort of vessel is a great learning platform and won't throw your spouse and kids into the water.

Jim

[zeehag]

36 ft gaff rigged racing sloop commissioned 1903. clifton crane. no one elses will do. it must be this and only this as no one else is able to sail a freeking boat.

get real
it doesnt matter what you learn to sail on, just that ye learn to sail if you are going to go sailing in a boat of your own. hell you dont even have to learn to sail.
just hire a delivery skipper to deliver you from point a to point b to point c etc, as some i have met are doing.
what ye learn on has nothing to do with how good you sail now, guys. get over yourselves.