Okay folks, I'm finally going to post! I am in the process of buying a '94 Hunter 26. The Dealer, who helped design the boat (hint, hint) will give me a full lesson on the boat at the conclusion of our transaction. I have had some day sailer experience, a few charters where the Captain let me do a fair amount of the work, and a burning desire to join the ranks of you fine Seamen (& women). What, in your opinions, should I do subsequent to the Dealer lesson to ensure safe sailing for me and my family. I will primarily be sailing on a lake, but would also like to sail the sounds of NC and to the Outer Banks. I've already ordered Don's Sail Trim book and spend most of my "spare" time here, reading real-life stuff about sailing.
jumping in
- Thread starter Dave D 94 H26
- Start date
- Status
Either
you and your wife take lessons together, maybe on other boats but at least one or two on YOUR boat. Or both take lessons separately. Like Capt. Ron says: "It happens out there, Kitty!" Oh, and keep reading. A lot. Stu
you and your wife take lessons together, maybe on other boats but at least one or two on YOUR boat. Or both take lessons separately. Like Capt. Ron says: "It happens out there, Kitty!" Oh, and keep reading. A lot. Stu
ASA
David, Congratulations on your purchase. Before I purchased my first sailboat, my son and I both took two ASA sailing courses. We are certified in ASA 101 and 103. The class was a blast. The teacher made things fun. This spring, we moved up from a 22ft to a 30ft. We were able to sail the new boat 194 miles in two days to get it home. I felt this was a fair accomplishment since we had never sailed this boat before. Take a few classes and sail with someone who likes to share their knowledge
David, Congratulations on your purchase. Before I purchased my first sailboat, my son and I both took two ASA sailing courses. We are certified in ASA 101 and 103. The class was a blast. The teacher made things fun. This spring, we moved up from a 22ft to a 30ft. We were able to sail the new boat 194 miles in two days to get it home. I felt this was a fair accomplishment since we had never sailed this boat before. Take a few classes and sail with someone who likes to share their knowledge
Enjoy your new to you boat
When I went from my 18 hobie cat to my 290 hunter the dealer told my wife if he can sail a 18 hobie he can sail the 290 no problem. She did not believe him so we both took a week of sailing lesson's 101 and 103 on our boat,it was the best thing I ever did to make my wife happy and we have been enjoying it the boat ever since. When I had the boat delivered from virgian to new york I even had the captain go out on the boat with us for a day or two and he showed us all great things about boating so get as much help as possible learning how to sail and your wife and family will love you and the boat. Well I am off to the boat now its looking like a great day to go sailing good luck with your new boat. nick
When I went from my 18 hobie cat to my 290 hunter the dealer told my wife if he can sail a 18 hobie he can sail the 290 no problem. She did not believe him so we both took a week of sailing lesson's 101 and 103 on our boat,it was the best thing I ever did to make my wife happy and we have been enjoying it the boat ever since. When I had the boat delivered from virgian to new york I even had the captain go out on the boat with us for a day or two and he showed us all great things about boating so get as much help as possible learning how to sail and your wife and family will love you and the boat. Well I am off to the boat now its looking like a great day to go sailing good luck with your new boat. nick
Sounds like you have some experience
already, so just get out there and do it and see how much more you need to learn (conversly, how much you don't know.) Be sure to understand and satisfy all safety issues, wear life jackets, and go. (Automatic inflatible jackets are the best money you can or will ever spend.) Lessons are a good idea, but seems that an awful lot is learned via the school of hardknocks... just not too hard. Also, folks at the marinas are always glad to express opinions and advice, just take it for what free advice can sometimes be. The Power Squadron (USCG?) in Raleigh is supposed to be really good. They arrange club sails to the coast and rivers in NC, plus weekly meetings, etc. Might be worth joining to have a ready supply of experienced boaters to consult. The 26 is a relatively easy boat to captain, except that in high winds it's a bear to hold down without rounding up. If you see a squal or storm, get the sails down immediately unless or until you're really confident of your skills. As for the NC coast, that's a whole new environment compared to lake sailing. Weather is a MAJOR factor on coastal NC, and is probably the most crical issue you will deal with. (Depth would ordinarily be close to #1, but with the 26 it's pretty hard to run aground.) My father and I sail his 26 out of New Bern, so feel free to email me if you want. I'm in the directory here.
already, so just get out there and do it and see how much more you need to learn (conversly, how much you don't know.) Be sure to understand and satisfy all safety issues, wear life jackets, and go. (Automatic inflatible jackets are the best money you can or will ever spend.) Lessons are a good idea, but seems that an awful lot is learned via the school of hardknocks... just not too hard. Also, folks at the marinas are always glad to express opinions and advice, just take it for what free advice can sometimes be. The Power Squadron (USCG?) in Raleigh is supposed to be really good. They arrange club sails to the coast and rivers in NC, plus weekly meetings, etc. Might be worth joining to have a ready supply of experienced boaters to consult. The 26 is a relatively easy boat to captain, except that in high winds it's a bear to hold down without rounding up. If you see a squal or storm, get the sails down immediately unless or until you're really confident of your skills. As for the NC coast, that's a whole new environment compared to lake sailing. Weather is a MAJOR factor on coastal NC, and is probably the most crical issue you will deal with. (Depth would ordinarily be close to #1, but with the 26 it's pretty hard to run aground.) My father and I sail his 26 out of New Bern, so feel free to email me if you want. I'm in the directory here.
Welcome...
to the Hunter family and the HOW forums. You will find an overwhelming amount of information right here, everyday, it's a teriffic site. I echo the prior postings as to getting out there and "doing it", continue reading anything and everything about sailing, and possibly plan your next vacation around an ASA class where they combine 101 , 103, and even 104. The textbooks for those classes are very informative and if you've been sailing your own boat awhile, the combined classes will be informative and a lot of fun.
to the Hunter family and the HOW forums. You will find an overwhelming amount of information right here, everyday, it's a teriffic site. I echo the prior postings as to getting out there and "doing it", continue reading anything and everything about sailing, and possibly plan your next vacation around an ASA class where they combine 101 , 103, and even 104. The textbooks for those classes are very informative and if you've been sailing your own boat awhile, the combined classes will be informative and a lot of fun.
Congratulations
Dave, Considering your experience, you probably already know what you'd be exposed to in ASA 101. Not that it'd be a complete waste of time: you will gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're not a complete idiot and are on the right path already. I'd say you're at a great plateau right now. You know the basic aerodynamics, equipment and procedures. I'd give just two encouragements: <ol><li>Sail the hell out of the boat. You need stick time more than anything to get to know your particular boat and how she behaves in a variety of wind/sea conditions, docking, etc.</li> <li>The two essential skills I'd recommend you know immediately are right-of-way rules and reducing sail area to compensate for freshening conditions. Understanding right-of-way is an essential of boating etiquette; practicing with your reefing system before you really need to use it will insure you are prepared when the wind pipes up, and will allow you to maintain safe control of your craft and keep from being a hazard on the water. Master these two skills, and I'll go out with you any day.</li> <li>Continue your reading. Your book on sail trim is a good choice (leave the very technical sections for the racers), but there is so much to learn from the shelf @ Barnes n' Noble that will open your eyes and give you plenty to practice. You'll learn what you're doing so much faster if you're literate. Published authors who write cogently on their subjects will provide you with a broad base of reliable experiences to apply to your outings. There are several good primers out there: I cut my nautical teeth on Bob Bond's <em>The Handbook of Sailing</em>, but whatever your hand grabs on the shelf will do the job.</li> <li>Of course, for specific, time-urgent questions, nothing beats bulletin boards like this one and some others. There is a wealth of knowledge here, too; just beware that it is much more subjective, so take anything you read on a BB with a grain of salt, and decide for yourself what is good advice and what is to be jettisoned.</li></ol> Congratulations on your purchase, and Fair Winds to you. Please forgive the compromised readability of this post in case my formatting code was not recognized by this system.
Dave, Considering your experience, you probably already know what you'd be exposed to in ASA 101. Not that it'd be a complete waste of time: you will gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're not a complete idiot and are on the right path already. I'd say you're at a great plateau right now. You know the basic aerodynamics, equipment and procedures. I'd give just two encouragements: <ol><li>Sail the hell out of the boat. You need stick time more than anything to get to know your particular boat and how she behaves in a variety of wind/sea conditions, docking, etc.</li> <li>The two essential skills I'd recommend you know immediately are right-of-way rules and reducing sail area to compensate for freshening conditions. Understanding right-of-way is an essential of boating etiquette; practicing with your reefing system before you really need to use it will insure you are prepared when the wind pipes up, and will allow you to maintain safe control of your craft and keep from being a hazard on the water. Master these two skills, and I'll go out with you any day.</li> <li>Continue your reading. Your book on sail trim is a good choice (leave the very technical sections for the racers), but there is so much to learn from the shelf @ Barnes n' Noble that will open your eyes and give you plenty to practice. You'll learn what you're doing so much faster if you're literate. Published authors who write cogently on their subjects will provide you with a broad base of reliable experiences to apply to your outings. There are several good primers out there: I cut my nautical teeth on Bob Bond's <em>The Handbook of Sailing</em>, but whatever your hand grabs on the shelf will do the job.</li> <li>Of course, for specific, time-urgent questions, nothing beats bulletin boards like this one and some others. There is a wealth of knowledge here, too; just beware that it is much more subjective, so take anything you read on a BB with a grain of salt, and decide for yourself what is good advice and what is to be jettisoned.</li></ol> Congratulations on your purchase, and Fair Winds to you. Please forgive the compromised readability of this post in case my formatting code was not recognized by this system.
- Status