Hi all, i'm new here and actually almost completely new to sailing. Anyway im 18 and I am interested in learning how to sail, I live in Houston Texas. I have sailed before but mostly just small catamarans in lakes and having fun with them, nothing else. Anyway In a couple of years after I get out of college(which i am in now, but I am travelling to Australia to study abroad next year) I would like to buy a large boat (30 feet or more) to be able to live on and sail around effectively with. Problem is I have no idea where or how to start. This has always been a dream of mine so if you could help me out it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
Learning to Sail
- Thread starter Dfalcon16
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Experience
The easiest and cheapest way to gain experience is to hit the local marinas and offer yourself as free crew for racing. You could also take a boating safety course from the Power Squadron or CG Aux. You will learn and also make friends with people who have boats. Send another email on this list begging Texas sailers here to take you out. A six pack is a great way to motivate sailers to give you a ride. Just make sure you give it to them after you get back. Tim R.
The easiest and cheapest way to gain experience is to hit the local marinas and offer yourself as free crew for racing. You could also take a boating safety course from the Power Squadron or CG Aux. You will learn and also make friends with people who have boats. Send another email on this list begging Texas sailers here to take you out. A six pack is a great way to motivate sailers to give you a ride. Just make sure you give it to them after you get back. Tim R.
Crew
Take a free or low-cost USCG Auxiliary boating class. Take a sailing course in college. Enroll in a sailing class at a local yacht club. Swing by a yacht club on the weekend and ask how you can get on a boat as crew to learn the ropes and maybe learn how to crew in races. Look at the municipalities for sailing programs, usually in their parks and recreation departments. Walk around the docks and see what local publications there are. Within those are often 'crew wanted' ads. Wander the docks, look at the boats and ask questions. Go to the chandlery on this sight and order some sailing fundamentals books. Look for a sailing club that has small boats available for members (some of the colleges have them). Anyhow, by ten years from now, you'll have started, know what you want and why and will have formed your goals. BTW, great question and best of luck to you. Sailors aren't such a bad group once you get to know them <smile>. Rick D.
Take a free or low-cost USCG Auxiliary boating class. Take a sailing course in college. Enroll in a sailing class at a local yacht club. Swing by a yacht club on the weekend and ask how you can get on a boat as crew to learn the ropes and maybe learn how to crew in races. Look at the municipalities for sailing programs, usually in their parks and recreation departments. Walk around the docks and see what local publications there are. Within those are often 'crew wanted' ads. Wander the docks, look at the boats and ask questions. Go to the chandlery on this sight and order some sailing fundamentals books. Look for a sailing club that has small boats available for members (some of the colleges have them). Anyhow, by ten years from now, you'll have started, know what you want and why and will have formed your goals. BTW, great question and best of luck to you. Sailors aren't such a bad group once you get to know them <smile>. Rick D.
You're going to the right place
My son, who is an avid sailor and racer, spent 6 months travelling/partying in Sydney (or as he called it, "studying abroad" about 4 years ago. It's a great harbor to sail in/from. There are numerous sailing charter companies and schools in the harbor where you could get a great education and although not totally acceptable, many have been known to hire part time students which is the best way to get the education you want. UNSW has a sailing team if that's where you are going to school and Coogee where most of the students live is an easy bus ride. Don
My son, who is an avid sailor and racer, spent 6 months travelling/partying in Sydney (or as he called it, "studying abroad" about 4 years ago. It's a great harbor to sail in/from. There are numerous sailing charter companies and schools in the harbor where you could get a great education and although not totally acceptable, many have been known to hire part time students which is the best way to get the education you want. UNSW has a sailing team if that's where you are going to school and Coogee where most of the students live is an easy bus ride. Don
Offshore Sailing School
My wife gave me the Offshore Sailing School Introduction to Sail Course for my birthday a few years back, and I thought it was great. I had sailed as a kid, and crewed for a few years, but taking a formal class really brought everything together. I announced at the start of the class that I would be the instructors worst nightmare because I had a little knowledge, which can be dangerous. However, to my surprise she let me go and corrected only when neccessary. I was paired up with two other students who had never sailed, but I was never bored or felt that I had missed anything. I think the proof of the success of the course is that the following year I purchased my first sailboat(O'Day 23), then moved right up the next year to a Cat 30.
My wife gave me the Offshore Sailing School Introduction to Sail Course for my birthday a few years back, and I thought it was great. I had sailed as a kid, and crewed for a few years, but taking a formal class really brought everything together. I announced at the start of the class that I would be the instructors worst nightmare because I had a little knowledge, which can be dangerous. However, to my surprise she let me go and corrected only when neccessary. I was paired up with two other students who had never sailed, but I was never bored or felt that I had missed anything. I think the proof of the success of the course is that the following year I purchased my first sailboat(O'Day 23), then moved right up the next year to a Cat 30.
Go to Kemah
I agree with Tim R. Hit the marinas in the Clear Lake area especially when they are having the Wednesday night races. Also check out the marinas for pleasure sailers who need crew. I have a 27 ft Catalina and don't have a crew sometimes so I don't get out often enough. I don't like to single hand. It would be great to get out on the bay more often with a willing crew.
I agree with Tim R. Hit the marinas in the Clear Lake area especially when they are having the Wednesday night races. Also check out the marinas for pleasure sailers who need crew. I have a 27 ft Catalina and don't have a crew sometimes so I don't get out often enough. I don't like to single hand. It would be great to get out on the bay more often with a willing crew.
Houston- Kemah
Clear Lake - Kemah is the place to go look at boats. There is an in the water boat show there this weekend. I have a Hunter 33.5 berthed on clear lake and make it down most weekends. You'll find sailors are very willing to talk with someone learning about the sport! Course if you want to bring me a six pack of Tecate to share while your learing that would be great too.
Clear Lake - Kemah is the place to go look at boats. There is an in the water boat show there this weekend. I have a Hunter 33.5 berthed on clear lake and make it down most weekends. You'll find sailors are very willing to talk with someone learning about the sport! Course if you want to bring me a six pack of Tecate to share while your learing that would be great too.
Great location
Australia will be a really great place for you. I was there about 2 year ago and chartered a boat in the whitsunday islands for a while. It is a charter boat haven. Positions opening all the time and you really don't need experience. You'll be an underpaid cook but you will also be on a boat with 20 or so people your age and partying non-stop. I got a job offer on a boat called the ICEBERG but turned it down for reasons that I question now. You can learn the ropes in paradise and have an endless supply of great travelers like yourself to meet. You are young. Follow the dream. Don't listen to your parents telling you about "real jobs". Have as much fun as possible and don't be afriad to swing at the high fast ball. Remember this because I had fun until I was 26 then got a great job and the traveling only helped me to be a confidend buisness man. My only regret is settling down. You have a big dream but WTF, go for it!
Australia will be a really great place for you. I was there about 2 year ago and chartered a boat in the whitsunday islands for a while. It is a charter boat haven. Positions opening all the time and you really don't need experience. You'll be an underpaid cook but you will also be on a boat with 20 or so people your age and partying non-stop. I got a job offer on a boat called the ICEBERG but turned it down for reasons that I question now. You can learn the ropes in paradise and have an endless supply of great travelers like yourself to meet. You are young. Follow the dream. Don't listen to your parents telling you about "real jobs". Have as much fun as possible and don't be afriad to swing at the high fast ball. Remember this because I had fun until I was 26 then got a great job and the traveling only helped me to be a confidend buisness man. My only regret is settling down. You have a big dream but WTF, go for it!
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