In the beginning

jon hansen · Mar 3, 2018

nice to hear

Southpaw · Mar 3, 2018

Everything goes well we will be adding to the list. We are planning on moving onto the boat in April and heading to the south eastern Caribbean.

Will Gilmore · Mar 3, 2018

All U Get said:
four kids who had a ball jumping into the warm water and setting anchors.

As a kid, growing up around the fishing boats and live-aboard on the Florida Gulf Coast, we took any excuse to jump in the water. Thought nothing of it. One time we had sailed into Cedar Key and tied up at the city warf. We decided to go for a swim and jumped right in. As we swam past a bunch of kids fishing of the the end of the pier, they stared at us slack jawed. I don't know about my father or brothers, but I couldn't help having the unflattering thought, 'there's a bunch of bumpkins.'
My father smiles up at them and asks, "what ya fishin' for?"
A couple of them say together, in a drawn out tone of thoughtless disbelief,
"Sharrrrks?!?!"

- Will (Dragonfly)

justsomeguy · Mar 3, 2018

All U Get said:
there have been a lot of beginner boaters here.

Yah. Here in the states, too.

Stu Jackson · Mar 3, 2018

The Other Side of this coin is when this same group asks: What do we do to attract new people to this dying sport of sailing!

Franklin · Mar 4, 2018

Abacos always has a lot of beginners. How about these people from 2014 that backed down on their dinghy. I tried to warn them but they just ignored me.

Will Gilmore · Mar 4, 2018

Franklin said:
Abacos always has a lot of beginners. How about these people from 2014 that backed down on their dinghy. I tried to warn them but they just ignored me.
View attachment 147244

Ya think there was something blocking their view? That's a lot of junk on their stern.

- Will (Dragonfly)

sailnoproblem · Mar 5, 2018

Don't be to hard on the beginners, this is a dying sport and it needs all the newbies it can get. I agree with Stu.

CaptKimble · Mar 5, 2018

We were all Newbies once

Roland5048 · Mar 5, 2018

Went out yesterday for a great sail in 15kt gusting to 20. Air temp about 70-75F. A steady 6.5 kts SOG all day. We live in an area where there are hundreds if not thousands of sailboats. Saw one ketch heading downwind along the coast on its' jenny and another motoring upwind. That was it all afternoon. Where is everybody? Maybe because we can sail year round, I don't know. I see more boats out when the wind is 10 or less. WTF. Why even have a boat. If people aren't out enjoying the sport, they aren't introducing their kids, their kid's kids, their friends, and others to sailing. Rant over.

uncledom · Mar 5, 2018

I don't know why ever one says its dying. I have 4 sisters and a brother. Three sisters love sailing and the brother's just never had the time to go so I'm counting him as on the fence. Of these siblings there are ten neices and nephews. Of these 7 love it, one gets sea sick and hates it, one has never gone but his wife loves it, and one has never gone out because her and her father don't have time to fly from the west coast east just to go sailing. Oh the niece's dog Garth is also a huge fan. So out of 15 people 10 love it. As a matter of fact my sister and brother in law are searching for a sail boat this summer and the one niece always reminds me as I up size and put the last boat on the market, "you know you can gift that boat."
The gifting niece and her dog.

Allowishish · Mar 5, 2018

we are newbies... but trying hard to be educated/informed newbies.
We bought our boat almost 4 months ago now and have been out 16 times as of Saturday. (winter here in Colorado)

That said Saturday was 75 degrees with winds at 6-10, the wife and I were out for over 4 1/2 hours.

What I find funny is that we didn't see another sailboat out. And a couple that I knew 20 years ago have a slip just down from ours, when I told them part of our plan for that day was to practice running in reverse, they asked why. Then told us to just call and they would get people to help us 'Back her in'. The thought of practicing to be self sufficient did not make since to them. (they are motor boater but still)

we had an amazing day with my wife getting more than half the tiller time this weekend. (she has only been out 5 times now and is still pretty nervous)

Allowishish · Mar 5, 2018

Here’s the wife starting to get comfortable at the tiller.

walt · Mar 5, 2018

Two days ago I was at the boat in the marina working on something completely unnecessary and heard a splash and someone swimming. An about 22 foot power boat with maybe 10 completely drunk kids were trying to dock the boat in the slip they had rented.. which very unfortunately is right next to mine. I really hope they are not here for long. Water is about 57F and super drunk kid likely had to piss. I didnt see him get out of the water but somehow did. It was somewhat windy and driver of the power boat had no clue how to get into the slip and was also likely very drunk. Annoyed by this, I told the young drunk driver that if he hit a boat and did any damage, I was going to take pictures and turn him in as he was coming close to doing so. I ended up helping them get back in the slip and had to talk to all my new wasted friends.. which I did because they know where MY boat is parked.. Young folks had rented this boat in some other state, towed it here and rented a slip and unlucky for me, next to my slip. Im looking foward to their departure with hopefully no damage to other boats it the marina.

Spring break at Lake Havasu normally hardly bothers me at all and I usually take my boat out at the end of Feb after four months but extended things by one month this year.

Lake Pueblo Colorado.. had some great times there with my old Mac 26S and Hobie TI early season - Feb and March about this time of year. Better to be a snow bird now however..

sailnoproblem · Mar 5, 2018

uncledom said:
I don't know why ever one says its dying. I have 4 sisters and a brother. Three sisters love sailing and the brother's just never had the time to go so I'm counting him as on the fence. Of these siblings there are ten neices and nephews. Of these 7 love it, one gets sea sick and hates it, one has never gone but his wife loves it, and one has never gone out because her and her father don't have time to fly from the west coast east just to go sailing. Oh the niece's dog Garth is also a huge fan. So out of 15 people 10 love it. As a matter of fact my sister and brother in law are searching for a sail boat this summer and the one niece always reminds me as I up size and put the last boat on the market, "you know you can gift that boat."
The gifting niece and her dog.

By my statement of the sport is dying is in reference to boat sales. I watch sales quarterly and it seems to me that sailboat sales drop or just stay even every time I check. With sales down or with zero growth I don't see a very bright future.

uncledom · Mar 5, 2018

I must admit I haven’t purchased new yet. I looked at a Marlow Hunter 47 but I’m not sure about the company and build quality. I looked at a Seaward and would really like to buy one but not with twin engines, and again, I’m not sure I trust them to get through the build. I like the Sirius 40 but why buy the boat I’m currently sailing. I like the Kanter 53 but I currently can’t afford it. So I too am in wait and see mode like alot of other people I think. I also have my next used boat picked out in case the manufacturing scene doesn’t brighten.

jssailem · Mar 5, 2018

@uncledom out to save sailing with his family alone. Just think what would happen if everyone of or families accomplished 50% of this achievement.

walt · Mar 5, 2018

Regarding post #15 above.. I am trying to as friendly as possibly with my new dock neighbors. I was incorrect in the last post, there was not 10 young people on board the power boat, it was 14. I took this picture this afternoon of my new friends!!!!

Roland5048 · Mar 5, 2018

Spring Break! Just startin' here.

In the beginning

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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