Recently, I saw a topic from a new sailor who, more or less, was asking where/how he should start the sail trim learning process. He received all kinds of suggestions, starting with “just go out and do it”. That’s like giving a golfer a driver or a tennis player a racket and telling them that in order to become a good golfer or good tennis player they should just go out and hit balls!! Learning to sail a boat has some dangerous aspect that can result in serious problems. Very few suggestions recommended taking lessons.
My “learning to sail” experience was awful as I had no idea what I was doing, even after taking lessons, because I had no idea what the instructor was talking about mainly because his discussion began in the middle of the learning process. In other words, he started talking about how to “tee up” the ball instead of first discussing stance, grip, how to address the ball, swing etc.
I think lessons are the way to go but before selecting a school a mate should determine the subject matter being taught and see if it makes sense. If they tell you that with only two lessons you’ll be qualified to sail a Catalina 30 to Catalina Island, move on to the next school.
Here’s what would have helped my learning experience. Prior to taking the class, I wish I had known WHAT all the sail trim controls for the main and jib were adjusting!! That aspect was never presented and I don’t know if other sailing classes deal with that subject. If I had know that all the sail trim controls were only adjusting 4 things (draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack) everything would have made sense. So my suggestion for newbies is to learn all you can about those 4 items BEFORE taking the class.
I’m sure some of you mates have taken various sailing classes – was the 4 elements I mentioned discussed?
My “learning to sail” experience was awful as I had no idea what I was doing, even after taking lessons, because I had no idea what the instructor was talking about mainly because his discussion began in the middle of the learning process. In other words, he started talking about how to “tee up” the ball instead of first discussing stance, grip, how to address the ball, swing etc.
I think lessons are the way to go but before selecting a school a mate should determine the subject matter being taught and see if it makes sense. If they tell you that with only two lessons you’ll be qualified to sail a Catalina 30 to Catalina Island, move on to the next school.
Here’s what would have helped my learning experience. Prior to taking the class, I wish I had known WHAT all the sail trim controls for the main and jib were adjusting!! That aspect was never presented and I don’t know if other sailing classes deal with that subject. If I had know that all the sail trim controls were only adjusting 4 things (draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack) everything would have made sense. So my suggestion for newbies is to learn all you can about those 4 items BEFORE taking the class.
I’m sure some of you mates have taken various sailing classes – was the 4 elements I mentioned discussed?
