I would say I’m defiantly a visual learner and learn by actually doing. So you recommend I just learn the basics of operating and grasp the concept of sailing, buy a boat and just play around? If so, then I like that idea.
Guidance
- Thread starter Berkay
- Start date
I just wanted to start by saying I appreciate all the advise and guidance on this topic, you guys have really motivated me to also take action on getting out there. I've been watching videos of sunfish sailing and other smaller boats, this lead to videos of people racing them haha but that's for the future. I just was wondering if I can lets say master a small sailboat as those, how would a transition to a larger sailboat be? I feel larger boats have so many more lines going everywhere, would I be able to figure it out once I get down the logic of sailing, wind and everything else that goes into it? Also, is there a limit to learning on smaller vessels?
As for places to sail, is it safe to be out in the bay or salt water kind of environment as a beginner with a sailboat which I feel might drag me into things? There is a reservoir near me that people take their boats to, could I mess around somewhere like that or would there not be enough wind?
As for places to sail, is it safe to be out in the bay or salt water kind of environment as a beginner with a sailboat which I feel might drag me into things? There is a reservoir near me that people take their boats to, could I mess around somewhere like that or would there not be enough wind?
Start simple, a boat like a Flying Scot has 5 important lines. 2 halyards to raise the sail, a mainsheet, a jib sheet and a vang. If you add a spinnaker you get 4 more lines.
Once you learn the basics, you the rest comes easy.
Start where you feel comfortable and convenient. Explore more as your skills and confidence improves.
Once you learn the basics, you the rest comes easy.
Start where you feel comfortable and convenient. Explore more as your skills and confidence improves.
A lot of the skills learned on a small boat scale up. Once you have fundamentals of sail trim you’ll still be able to make a big boat go. A small boat with a main an jib, like the Flying Scot that Dave mentioned might be easier to transition up from than a dinghy with just a mainsail. Moving to a bigger boat will also add new systems like plumbing, electrical, and maybe an inboard engine that you won’t have on the small boat, but you’ll have the fundamentals of the sailing process itself.
Pick your days based on the weather. There are plenty of places in Barnegat Bay that are pretty well sheltered. A reservoir could work too depending on the size of the boat, but I wouldn’t be too worried about the bay as long as you pick good days to learn and go early before they afternoon sea breeze picks up.
Great follow-up questions!!
I just was wondering if I can lets say master a small sailboat as those, how would a transition to a larger sailboat be? Easy, except a larger (longer and heavier) sailboat requires a little more skill to maneuver in a marina and dock.
I feel larger boats have so many more lines going everywhere, would I be able to figure it out once I get down the logic of sailing, wind and everything else that goes into it? No more lines on a larger sailboat than on a smaller sailboat and once the sails are up you are pretty much only going to operate the main and jib sheets.
Also, is there a limit to learning on smaller vessels? None, as the skills you learn on a smaller sailboat are directly transferable to a larger one.
As for places to sail, is it safe to be out in the bay or salt water kind of environment as a beginner with a sailboat which I feel might drag me into things? OK, as long as you check the tides, i.e., which direction is the tide traveling so you can plan to sail say out on an ebb tide and back on a flood tide, primarily on a sailboat WITHOUT a motor to get you home against the tide
There is a reservoir near me that people take their boats to, could I mess around somewhere like that or would there not be enough wind? Great place to start, protect and you do not need a lot of wind to get a sailboat sailing. That is where I started
on day one of small boat sailing class. first we have the students (kids, teens, adults) do a short swim test with life jackets on. make sure there are no scare dee cats if you will. then we have the students shove the boats off the dock to intentionally tip the vessel over. they must get the boat to capsize. this takes the fear of capsizing away. capsizing on a warm day is fun. capsizing is no big deal. the kids will do it all the time if you let them. yes, adult class must do this too.
any small centerboard boat will fit your needs. this will teach you allot about sailing. you do not need the most conservative vessel out there. we are all old men talking like any grandpa might. you are young. getting a boat with some zip and pizzazz will be way more fun. of course a light wind day for your first day will seem better. then go out every day. try all the breezes. our motto teaching at the sailing school i taught at was "when in doubt, shove them out". on very windy days we sent the students out sailing. how did we know if it was too much wind? they all tipped over. then we switched to classroom work.
after the tenth time you capsize you will start getting the hang of things. and yes you will capsize, and that will be just fine.
your young, go for greatness, push the boats limits.
wang dang doddle all the time.
any small centerboard boat will fit your needs. this will teach you allot about sailing. you do not need the most conservative vessel out there. we are all old men talking like any grandpa might. you are young. getting a boat with some zip and pizzazz will be way more fun. of course a light wind day for your first day will seem better. then go out every day. try all the breezes. our motto teaching at the sailing school i taught at was "when in doubt, shove them out". on very windy days we sent the students out sailing. how did we know if it was too much wind? they all tipped over. then we switched to classroom work.
after the tenth time you capsize you will start getting the hang of things. and yes you will capsize, and that will be just fine.
your young, go for greatness, push the boats limits.
wang dang doddle all the time.
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If you get yourself a beat up 14-16 foot something, you may just find that you keep this boat a lot longer than you initially thought. There are days that the sunfish is quite appealing to just “go out and hack around” for a while. And at some point, put on a nice coat of Awlgrip or something to make it classy looking.
a 40 something is not the boat to learn on, and while its comfy, stable, and can host a crowd, I’ll tell you that the admiral would - not- get on a HobieCat, even a blown out Caribean hotel amenities unit that can't get out of its own way. Too wet. Too cold.
a 40 something is not the boat to learn on, and while its comfy, stable, and can host a crowd, I’ll tell you that the admiral would - not- get on a HobieCat, even a blown out Caribean hotel amenities unit that can't get out of its own way. Too wet. Too cold.
i'm 6'5". allot of small sailboats are designed for little people. get a vessel designed to fit a person of your size. laser sailboats are really nice for little people. for me they are very uncomfortable. find a boat that fits your body size.
@Berkay
As you now know SBO is a source of lots of opinion and knowledge.
Great that you are keen to learn!
I’m curious what actual on the water experience you have? Are you a strong swimmer, outdoors oriented, comfortable being in or on the water etc. ?
I ask as I have taken lots of people who expressed an interest in trying a GENTLE < 10 knots sail where I kept the heeling to an absolute minimum. I would place them in three groups,
1) Really enjoyed it and went on to get their own boat
2) Comfortable but didn’t ask for another turn going out.
3) Very uncomfortable to the point that I dropped the sails and motored back.
They all started from the same place but left with different “impressions” of the sailing experience.
As you now know SBO is a source of lots of opinion and knowledge.
Great that you are keen to learn!I’m curious what actual on the water experience you have? Are you a strong swimmer, outdoors oriented, comfortable being in or on the water etc. ?
I ask as I have taken lots of people who expressed an interest in trying a GENTLE < 10 knots sail where I kept the heeling to an absolute minimum. I would place them in three groups,
1) Really enjoyed it and went on to get their own boat
2) Comfortable but didn’t ask for another turn going out.
3) Very uncomfortable to the point that I dropped the sails and motored back.
They all started from the same place but left with different “impressions” of the sailing experience.
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oh yeah, i am a trained and certified US Sailing instructor. what i described is what we were taught at instructor school. been sailling 61 years. drove ships for a living. have taken zillons of people out for their first sail.
i do love playing with these toys.
i do love playing with these toys.
As an admitted visual learner, you'd be best off to sail with someone and watch. You might get bored if you get to the chase scene before hand, but that is part of being a visual learner. Use the watching to propel you to the point that hands on becomes a regular part of the process. Then you'd be ready to venture out with your own boat. Solo sailing on a Force 5 and other such forgiving wet boats is both fun and educational. You'll know when you zenith, as you'll not dump the boat after seeing the gust come across the water. Now you can start with the 2 footitis.
One comment about sizing the boat...
I did not start on a small boat, but rather on a 20 foot keel-centerboarder. Loved it. We raced and cruised it for five seasons before moving up. (A Ranger 20, if you are interested)
Several years later, after we were gaining experience with our Niagara 26, a friendly couple at a raft up offered me their 9 Minto foot sailing dinghy (only one sail) to just take it out for a sail. So I put my PFD on and wedged in - I am 6'2" - and immediately loved it! One sheet and the tiller. Just feather it up to windward, and zip around the inlet, reaching & jibing, etc.
Great memories of instantly 'bonding' with a little and responsive boat. You will likely find something larger, for many good reasons.... but be assured that enjoying the experience is just as good or better in the smaller boat, too.
Fair Winds!!
I did not start on a small boat, but rather on a 20 foot keel-centerboarder. Loved it. We raced and cruised it for five seasons before moving up. (A Ranger 20, if you are interested)
Several years later, after we were gaining experience with our Niagara 26, a friendly couple at a raft up offered me their 9 Minto foot sailing dinghy (only one sail) to just take it out for a sail. So I put my PFD on and wedged in - I am 6'2" - and immediately loved it! One sheet and the tiller. Just feather it up to windward, and zip around the inlet, reaching & jibing, etc.
Great memories of instantly 'bonding' with a little and responsive boat. You will likely find something larger, for many good reasons.... but be assured that enjoying the experience is just as good or better in the smaller boat, too.
Fair Winds!!
Where is the best place to begin sailing? The answer - what is closest to you where you can go easily, often and at the spur of the moment.
Inland lakes, reservoirs are fine. Wind happens most everywhere. Start where it is most easily done for wherever you are.
dj
As I am researching and following the guidance of everybody here, I am also looking into my first sailboat purchase of a small vessel to learn on. My question is, I come across a few affordable options but some say that they don't have any paperwork for the boat and sometimes for the trailer, is this a red flag to avoid it? I live in NJ, are there laws that require such and such size boat or propulsion style to have specific paperwork?(more wondering for smaller vessels since I'm sure large will require it) Also, if it doesn't have paperwork, is it a headache to get the vessel ready for sailing and with the proper papers?
As for transportation, I've been seeing dollys and trailers for the same boat? I plan to drive my boat if I ever need to take it anywhere. Is a dolly more for if I kept it close to the water and to drag it there? Therefore I would want to try and get a boat that came with a trailer.
Last question, a prior member mentioned to get a boat that fits my height so it is not uncomfortable. I am just about 6ft, will a 12ft be to small for me? or will it be fine but a 14-16ft or larger would be more beneficial?
The boats I am looking at are sunfish style, I've come across Phantoms which are similar it seems, I really admire the simplicity.. Also, they are defiantly in my price range, I don't have a lot to really spend and am looking to avoid spending more then $1000 on my initial investment on the vessel. I am actually looking forward to doing work to fix it up. Im not to knowledged on boats so any other brands that are what I am looking for would be much appreciated, I also have been told about Flying Scots which would be amazing but out of the price range and I've seen I think their called sailfish, which I really am not a fan of.
As for transportation, I've been seeing dollys and trailers for the same boat? I plan to drive my boat if I ever need to take it anywhere. Is a dolly more for if I kept it close to the water and to drag it there? Therefore I would want to try and get a boat that came with a trailer.
Last question, a prior member mentioned to get a boat that fits my height so it is not uncomfortable. I am just about 6ft, will a 12ft be to small for me? or will it be fine but a 14-16ft or larger would be more beneficial?
The boats I am looking at are sunfish style, I've come across Phantoms which are similar it seems, I really admire the simplicity.. Also, they are defiantly in my price range, I don't have a lot to really spend and am looking to avoid spending more then $1000 on my initial investment on the vessel. I am actually looking forward to doing work to fix it up. Im not to knowledged on boats so any other brands that are what I am looking for would be much appreciated, I also have been told about Flying Scots which would be amazing but out of the price range and I've seen I think their called sailfish, which I really am not a fan of.
Example:
Phantom Sailboat -sunfis - boats - by owner - marine sale
Edit:
just realized it has a keel........
I think?
Phantom Sailboat -sunfis - boats - by owner - marine sale
Edit:
just realized it has a keel........
I think?
I consider myself a good swimmer and have no fears over being on the water I actually really enjoy it and have always wanted to grow up on it but never was fortunate enough. As I got older I decided to take the initiative and do what I wanted to do and that is why I'm just throwing myself into this.@Berkay
As you now know SBO is a source of lots of opinion and knowledge.
I’m curious what actual on the water experience you have? Are you a strong swimmer, outdoors oriented, comfortable being in or on the water etc. ?
I ask as I have taken lots of people who expressed an interest in trying a GENTLE < 10 knots sail where I kept the heeling to an absolute minimum. I would place them in three groups,
1) Really enjoyed it and went on to get their own boat
2) Comfortable but didn’t ask for another turn going out.
3) Very uncomfortable to the point that I dropped the sails and motored back.
They all started from the same place but left with different “impressions” of the sailing experience.
If you keep your board boat (Sunfish, Laser, etc) at a camp or yacht club, a dolly is fine but not road worthy. These boats can be car topped, but they are a bit heavy for that coming in at about 100 lbs.
Board boats are fun, fast, and wet. Helps to be limber when sailing them.
Registration requirements vary by state and are usually handled by the DMV. Check with DMV. In NY boats without motors do not need to have state registration. Trailers of unknown provenance can be registered as home made trailers.
If you are interested in a Flying Scot, send me a PM.
Board boats are fun, fast, and wet. Helps to be limber when sailing them.
Registration requirements vary by state and are usually handled by the DMV. Check with DMV. In NY boats without motors do not need to have state registration. Trailers of unknown provenance can be registered as home made trailers.
If you are interested in a Flying Scot, send me a PM.
Re registration: In NY, where I've had trailers, it is a PITA to get reg for an unregistered trailer. You have to find the serial number which is stamped on the frame. Old ones may have only a sticker which in one case was unreadable. So for that situation you have to go weigh the trailer - there are places that can do that like municipal transfer stations etc. And then get an inspection which is primarily a matter of getting the lights working and probably a look at the tires. As for the boat, assuming that you need to register it, if you have the HID number it's not that bad. If you don't have a title $20 and a couple of weeks for a duplicate (In NY you don't need registration for motorless boats. When I was in Ohio you did). Once you have a title you can register it, pay the sales tax, and off you go. I would avoid buying a boat with no paperwork. I would avoid taking a trailer on the road without reggie, inspection & insurance.
It’s good that you are “drawn” to water and have passion about your new “journey”
I would offer a few things that you might consider..
Get yourself a good quality, comfortable life jacket, boating shoes, clothing etc as a first step. If you go the route of asking to crew and/or get your own boat you will need them. I had a guest show up wearing heeled shoes for her first sail, it didn’t go well
If you do acquire your own boat consider where you will store it when it’s NOT in the water.
If you intend to trailer sail do some research on what boat ramps are close to you, or check out boat clubs that you could utilize for storage, launch, instruction, camaraderie etc.