OK. Let me try this here. I've been boating - all kinds except sail - for 30 years. My wife and I want to try it out. Is this a good place to start? Thanks, Bill
DaySailer 16
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Bill, I was hoping someone from your area would
chime in but it doesn't look like anyone is going to. So, I am not sure of your question. Are you asking if a daysailer is a good start or are you asking if this is the place to start asking questions. If you have been boating for 30 years, My guess is that you have some boat handling experience. If you have never sailed, I would approach someone that you know is an avid sailor and ask them to take you out. It may seem abit forward, but I am going to put my neck out here (with the background of the people in my area) they will welcome you aboard for a sail. I think the best way to start is to get out there and try it. Most true sailors will be willing to give you that first outting. If you start looking for boats, don't buy a boat that you haven't sailed in. Try to get into as many as possible. Most sailors are a friendly bunch and if you tell one guy, he will probably spread the word that you are interested in sailing. If you are friendly enough, I bet that many people will would be happy to walk you through their boat if only to see the interior. Ask a sailor how and why something is on their boat and you will have a good hour long conversation. My guess it that the 16 will feel abit small in a short period of time. Then again if you decide to race that boat it could be quite fun. I hope I have helped in someway, Wishing you some enjoyable sailing experiences r.w.landau
chime in but it doesn't look like anyone is going to. So, I am not sure of your question. Are you asking if a daysailer is a good start or are you asking if this is the place to start asking questions. If you have been boating for 30 years, My guess is that you have some boat handling experience. If you have never sailed, I would approach someone that you know is an avid sailor and ask them to take you out. It may seem abit forward, but I am going to put my neck out here (with the background of the people in my area) they will welcome you aboard for a sail. I think the best way to start is to get out there and try it. Most true sailors will be willing to give you that first outting. If you start looking for boats, don't buy a boat that you haven't sailed in. Try to get into as many as possible. Most sailors are a friendly bunch and if you tell one guy, he will probably spread the word that you are interested in sailing. If you are friendly enough, I bet that many people will would be happy to walk you through their boat if only to see the interior. Ask a sailor how and why something is on their boat and you will have a good hour long conversation. My guess it that the 16 will feel abit small in a short period of time. Then again if you decide to race that boat it could be quite fun. I hope I have helped in someway, Wishing you some enjoyable sailing experiences r.w.landau
rw
Thanks for your reply. But where would I find a sailer in the Annapolis area? HAHA We have been on many sailboats in the past and have only arrived at the point where we think we want to do it on my own - Our own. So what do we use as a training vessel? We need to own our own to have access to it when we can. We will take some on water sailing courses in the spring, but we feel that all true learning takes place through experience - good or not so. We've looked at boats from 25' to 16' and all have their advantages and disadvantages. We need something to trailer to the ramp less than a mile away to learn if this is for us. We might then move up or just go paddling or fire up the motorboat. Maybe this will situate us in the space and time continuum. 50's babies. Thanks for listening, Bill
Thanks for your reply. But where would I find a sailer in the Annapolis area? HAHA We have been on many sailboats in the past and have only arrived at the point where we think we want to do it on my own - Our own. So what do we use as a training vessel? We need to own our own to have access to it when we can. We will take some on water sailing courses in the spring, but we feel that all true learning takes place through experience - good or not so. We've looked at boats from 25' to 16' and all have their advantages and disadvantages. We need something to trailer to the ramp less than a mile away to learn if this is for us. We might then move up or just go paddling or fire up the motorboat. Maybe this will situate us in the space and time continuum. 50's babies. Thanks for listening, Bill
Bill, wait until you go through the classes
Sailing, basic, is not rocket science. With your water experience, I think you will pick this up quickly. My guess is that you will be able to make the boat go where you want it to after two lessons. You will spend a life time trying to sail better and go faster. My point is that I think you are being cautious at this point, and after a few lessons you will be much more confident and also more sold on sailing. I do not know your desires as to your sailing hopes. Small daysailing is rigorious and exciting. It took the 25' boat for my wife to love sailing. You know, If momma ain't happy , ain't nobody happy! ( wsh I could do a proper acknowledgement on that quote but....age) I would take the lessons to try it and in the mean time try to get on every boat you can. That is how you find a boat that you like! It will help you and your beloved make a good choice for both of you. My wife and I are circa 53. I was a power boater from 3 months old until I was 33. My wife had never spent time on a boat. Hope your searching pays off for the both of you. r.w.landau
Sailing, basic, is not rocket science. With your water experience, I think you will pick this up quickly. My guess is that you will be able to make the boat go where you want it to after two lessons. You will spend a life time trying to sail better and go faster. My point is that I think you are being cautious at this point, and after a few lessons you will be much more confident and also more sold on sailing. I do not know your desires as to your sailing hopes. Small daysailing is rigorious and exciting. It took the 25' boat for my wife to love sailing. You know, If momma ain't happy , ain't nobody happy! ( wsh I could do a proper acknowledgement on that quote but....age) I would take the lessons to try it and in the mean time try to get on every boat you can. That is how you find a boat that you like! It will help you and your beloved make a good choice for both of you. My wife and I are circa 53. I was a power boater from 3 months old until I was 33. My wife had never spent time on a boat. Hope your searching pays off for the both of you. r.w.landau
rw
I just think you sailors are great. May be I can become one. There is no doubt that on all my powered and non powered boats, the wind has been a factor. I like the wind and it is time to learn it. Thanks, Bill
I just think you sailors are great. May be I can become one. There is no doubt that on all my powered and non powered boats, the wind has been a factor. I like the wind and it is time to learn it. Thanks, Bill
my 2 cents
I just bought my first boat, a '75 ODay 27' in decent condition. I've been sailing irregularly over the past 10 years, but took the plunge when I moved to Seattle recently. It's been great; we still have a lot to learn in terms of handling in all conditions and best sail trim, but it was really easy to get started and I was fairly comfortable from the beginning, even with guests on board. It's a big difference moving up from being crew to captain! I like the size of the boat, and wouldn't want to have something smaller even though many recommend starting smaller to learn the principles of sailing. I've found a lot of information on the web, and will even order the books on sail trim at the site here. Good luck -- there's almost nothing better than catching the wind in those sails!
I just bought my first boat, a '75 ODay 27' in decent condition. I've been sailing irregularly over the past 10 years, but took the plunge when I moved to Seattle recently. It's been great; we still have a lot to learn in terms of handling in all conditions and best sail trim, but it was really easy to get started and I was fairly comfortable from the beginning, even with guests on board. It's a big difference moving up from being crew to captain! I like the size of the boat, and wouldn't want to have something smaller even though many recommend starting smaller to learn the principles of sailing. I've found a lot of information on the web, and will even order the books on sail trim at the site here. Good luck -- there's almost nothing better than catching the wind in those sails!
- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
O'Day daysailers are great starter boats
I sailed one for 4 years when I got back into sailing. It is small enough to trail behind most vehicles. I pulled mine with either my Ranger or Corolla without any problem. It is big enough to teach you good boat handling skills and it very forgiving. You can get wet, but you really have to do a lot of wrong things for more than a few seconds to do so. It is easy to rig, launch, and sail solo. There is a great forum of owners at the following site with lots of discussion on numerous topics. http://www.daysailer.org/index.php I wrote a book on repairing, maintaining and upgrading this book, as it is so popular on the used market, and has stood the test of time. The book is availale at the above site under the DS II forum. You can also e-mail me for details at roger02@mts dot net. (Replace the dot with . and remove the spaces.) Unfortunately, I will be away for a couple of weeks so will not be able to ship orders until Feb 6. Last summer, I move up to the boat on the left, as I wanted sitting headroom.
I sailed one for 4 years when I got back into sailing. It is small enough to trail behind most vehicles. I pulled mine with either my Ranger or Corolla without any problem. It is big enough to teach you good boat handling skills and it very forgiving. You can get wet, but you really have to do a lot of wrong things for more than a few seconds to do so. It is easy to rig, launch, and sail solo. There is a great forum of owners at the following site with lots of discussion on numerous topics. http://www.daysailer.org/index.php I wrote a book on repairing, maintaining and upgrading this book, as it is so popular on the used market, and has stood the test of time. The book is availale at the above site under the DS II forum. You can also e-mail me for details at roger02@mts dot net. (Replace the dot with . and remove the spaces.) Unfortunately, I will be away for a couple of weeks so will not be able to ship orders until Feb 6. Last summer, I move up to the boat on the left, as I wanted sitting headroom.
Bill, thanks for your generous remark!
Remember, we do not and can not walk on water! We make mistakes. Always be on your guard and don't trust everyone that owns a sailboat. Charactor means a lot. r.w.landau
Remember, we do not and can not walk on water! We make mistakes. Always be on your guard and don't trust everyone that owns a sailboat. Charactor means a lot. r.w.landau
17 ftr oday daysailor
i STARTED IN A 17 ODAY AND FOUND THE BOAT TO BE A REAL GOOD LEARNERS BOAT .i WAS COAXED ALONG BY MY THEN ROOMIE WHO HAD QUITE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE.i TOO DID NOT HAVE ANYT FORMAL TRAINING BUT LEARNED THE HANDS ON METHOD.A SMALL BOAT ACTUIALLY TEACHES YOU ABOUT WEIGHT TRANSFER AND HIKING OUT AS WELL AS ALL THE OTHER STUFF WE NEED TO LEARN. I stopped sailing for a few years and when the kids began to grow I returned to the sea.I now own a 26 ftr and find that it iis actually easier to sail than the old 17.I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT i LEARNED IN MY EARLY YEARS ON THE 17. MY PARTNER WHO TOOK THE CLASSES ASKED ME HOW I LEARNED ALL THAT i KNOW AND ALL I COULD SAY WAS TO GET OUT AND DO IT . SHE WOULD GO OUT WITH ME AND i WOULD SIT ON THE BOW AND BASICALLY DO NOTHING EXCEPT IF I FELT WE WERE IN DANGER OR THE BOAT WAS IN DANGER. SHE WOULD PRACTICE APPROACHING THE MOORING UNDR SAIL WHILE OUT SAILING AND EVENTUALLY GOT THE CONFIDENCE TO GO FOR IT . AND THAT IS MY BEST ADVICE :JUST GO FOR IT ,YOU CAN DO IT ;
i STARTED IN A 17 ODAY AND FOUND THE BOAT TO BE A REAL GOOD LEARNERS BOAT .i WAS COAXED ALONG BY MY THEN ROOMIE WHO HAD QUITE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE.i TOO DID NOT HAVE ANYT FORMAL TRAINING BUT LEARNED THE HANDS ON METHOD.A SMALL BOAT ACTUIALLY TEACHES YOU ABOUT WEIGHT TRANSFER AND HIKING OUT AS WELL AS ALL THE OTHER STUFF WE NEED TO LEARN. I stopped sailing for a few years and when the kids began to grow I returned to the sea.I now own a 26 ftr and find that it iis actually easier to sail than the old 17.I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT i LEARNED IN MY EARLY YEARS ON THE 17. MY PARTNER WHO TOOK THE CLASSES ASKED ME HOW I LEARNED ALL THAT i KNOW AND ALL I COULD SAY WAS TO GET OUT AND DO IT . SHE WOULD GO OUT WITH ME AND i WOULD SIT ON THE BOW AND BASICALLY DO NOTHING EXCEPT IF I FELT WE WERE IN DANGER OR THE BOAT WAS IN DANGER. SHE WOULD PRACTICE APPROACHING THE MOORING UNDR SAIL WHILE OUT SAILING AND EVENTUALLY GOT THE CONFIDENCE TO GO FOR IT . AND THAT IS MY BEST ADVICE :JUST GO FOR IT ,YOU CAN DO IT ;
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