Newbie wanting some experience

[Slim pickins]

I am a total newbie so forgive if I am posting this wrong. I have been reading ALOT on this forum (up to page 285). I decided it was time to register and try and contribute as little as possible until I gain way more knowledge than I currently have. I am looking for anybody that will take me sailing and learn a little from the experience. I have been on sailboats, but have never "worked" or crewed on one. I really can't afford a school right now and don't know of anyone that sails in our lakes. If anyone is around my parts and is looking for some rookie help I would be very greatful. I am in Missouri in the Kansas city area.

 

[sailingdog]

Not too many big lakes out your way...

 

[Ross]

Seems like it is time for you to find a little sailing dinghy and learn to sail close to shore. You only need a couple of feet of water to float a boat and a two acre pond is big enough.

 

[Slim pickins]

You're right about that sailingdog, about the only one I know of is Stockton lake, it's about an hour and a half to get to for me. Ross I thought about that and I just don't like the little dinghies. I know they are great for some people to learn on but I don't think I'm one of them. I'm just way to big to be flopping around in a dinghie. I played around on a force5 about 15 years ago at my uncles lake house(swartzwood lake sp) in new jersey. That was just an act of frustration.

 

[sailingdog]

Might be some sailboats down on Lake of the Ozarks, but that's mostly powerboats from what I've seen.

 

[Jeff]

Slim, we're sailing just outside of St. Louis if you get out this way. Carlyle Lake. The largest mud pond in Illinois. BTW I spent a lot of years sailing dinghies. It's sure to sharpen your sailing skills. I'm kind of a big guy too and it wasn't bad till you turtle the thing. You may also try the Sailing clubs at Mark Twain Lake as well as Stockton.

 

[Slim pickins]

Jeff, thank you very much on your offer. The company is shutting down the second week in June for model year change-over so I have a week off. I might just have to jump on the bike and make a road-trip out your way. Sailingdog your right again about the powerboats on ozark, they are nuts on that lake.

 

[Randy Rohrbeck]

The Paradise Point YC is located at Smithville Lake just north of KC. It's paper club, but they do run some racing and operate a learn to sail program.

http://www.paradisepointeyachtclub.org/

Our boat is on Stockton. There are quit a few more boats there and they tend to be larger. You'll find racing there but there is no learn to sail program.

http://www.stocktonyachtclub.com/

There's also a club at Lake Perry in Kansas and more sailing on Jacomo right here in KC.

If you want to learn to sail I'd say the PPYC program is your best bet. If you want to and can't figure out how to get signed up let me know and I can get you the contact info.

 

[dvideohd]

pehaps look at the trailer sailor forums? Like MacGregor and some of the 13-20' sail boat interest groups?? There are some pretty dynamic groups... and a 13-19' sail boat is a a lot of fun to be on... (eg - West Wight Potter and so forth...).

I would look for local clubs/organizations along this line - and get in contact...

--jr

 

[Slim pickins]

Randy, thanks for the info on smithville, that's close for me. I'll probaly look into that a little more. As many times I've been on smithville I guess I never really noticed the sailing club. I always hang out around crows creek, maybe that's why I've been missing it. And I didn't know jacomo was a sailing lake too. Wow learn something new every day.

 

[Slim pickins]

Randy I have decided to take your advice and will be enrolling in the learn to sail class thru Park Hill/Paradise Point. I contacted the school and I figure for the $150 fee it should be well worth it. They teach on a fleet of sweet 16's. I will also be going out to the club social the weekend before the class and help them with the spring cleanup of the fleet. I figure this will not only get me a little aquainted with the boats before the class but with some of the people I might be begging for experience and wisdom.

 

[caguy]

I don't know if you have them in Missouri, but in Calif there are quite a few Meetup groups that get together for anything from naked needle point to hiking. There are several here for sailing and from their stories and pictures they look like a pretty good group with a range of experience. They typically rent a 34 or 36' boat and divide the cost. They seem to try for a crew of eight so the cost is less than $50. Checkout your area at http://www.Meetup.com .

 

[Cpt. Jon]

I don't know if you have them in Missouri, but in Calif there are quite a few Meetup groups that get together for anything from naked needle point...

What are the age ranges for this?

I'm sorry, I really couldn't resist

 

[caguy]

What are the age ranges for this?

I'm sorry, I really couldn't resist

Mostly dirty old men and young ladies.

 

[Slim pickins]

Unfortunatly there are no meetup groups in my area, for sailing that is, didn't look for the needle point class, naked and needles just don't go together for me.

 

[Slim pickins]

Well I just emailed my uncle who gave me my first dose of sailing some 20+ years ago. I told him I will be taking the learn to sail class, he told me after I take the class he will give me the old sunfish and Hobie cat that he has but no longer uses. They probaly haven't been used in 10 years. One problem though, the Sunfish and Hobie are in New Jersey and I'm in Missouri, and he doesn't have a trailer for either of them. So I might be getting some free boats, if I can get them to Missouri.