advice for a novice sailor

[Newport Bob]

Hey Charlie,
I got hooked on sailing on protected river, small boat in Philly. Moved to Newport, RI - "sailing capital" . Went down to the local Yacht Club and crewed on race nights.DO THIS.
THEN bought my first sail boat - 24 ft. Raced and then cruised the bay, day then over night (with family).
Now, many years later, cruised from Maine to Fla on our 29, 36, 37 and wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING. My wife and I also got our CG captains licenses along the way.
So, think about day sailing then taking overnight cruises- nothing like a quiet day of sailing, a cocktail in a new anchorage, waking up to a new horizon.
Join the addicted group.
Bob

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Mobile Bay is a great place to learn. Winds usually steady and many places to sail TO.. Navy Cove, Dauphin Island, And over into Mississippi Sound. Horn Ship Islands offer interesting anchorages, plus the fort, as does the anchorage in Pascagoula, with it's free courtesy pump out. Turn to starboard at marker 17. And Pensacola isn't far. Big lagoon, SailBoat Cove, Fort Macrae- protected places. Past that, is Little Sabine, with great restaurants. and Ft Walton Bch- the Indian mound is worth stopping and Ft Walton has two day free dockage on weekends, ,and free pump outs. Plus groceries are less than 2 blocks away

Almost totally protected waters to learn in. Get with it dude. Been through those waters at least 8 times

 

[charlie tuna]

Thanks. I'm trying to finish this job in Wyoming. And I'm ready to get with it.

 

[Wind River R41]

Late to the discussion but enjoy the boat, bought a 22ft for a buck, cleaned her and started to sail. Learned to sail her on the Carquinez strait off of San Francisco Bay, the fun way, by myself making all the mistakes when nobody was around to see me screw up. Absolutely hooked to the feeling of being in the moment when the weather picks up and the calm of drifting with the tide when things slow down. Bad thing is now that I'm hooked I have two boats , one to sail on, a Santana 22, and one to dream about while learning every system on the boat,a Rhodes 41. My goal is Mexico, the singlehanded transit to Hawaii,and Alaska in the next five years. I love sailing.