I'm new to the sport (only 1 yr) and am about to take a 3-day sailing lesson in St. Michaels, MD. I've often wondered if the series of ASA courses was worth the $$. To achieve your level of confidence and expertise, have many of you taken lessons or simply spent many hours on the water practicing? I'd be interested in hearing how you got where you are.
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Darline, This was our uncoventional approach
that worked very well. We decided to take up sailing 2 years ago. After we decided what we wanted in a sailboat we searched the market for 6 months to find that exact boat. Our requirements were for a trailerable boat that would allow us to remain afloat for 2 weeks at a time. We were lucky enough to find a 95 H26 with all the gear we needed. We then parked the boat infront of our garage. (Large shop) We then read every book, journal and magazine about sailing a boat in this size range. I mean study, walk out to the boat and fantasize, re-study and re-walk out to the boat and pretend we were sailing. We played with the actual lines and then re-studied, re-read and replayed for the entire fall, winter and early spring. That was the fall, winter and spring of 2000, 2001. Shoveling snow shortened the study time. We sailed 1100 miles the summer of 2001 on the upper Columbia River in eastern Washington State. Our lake is called "Lake Roosevelt" and is the 132 mile long lake formed by Grand Coulee Dam. We sold our home a week ago and will purchase a 37 to 45 foot boat in the next 2 months, fit her out, learn to sail her and take the next 10 years to go wherever we want. (We'll sell Speedy next week) We'll start out wherever we find that "drop dead boat". By Oct. 2002 we will head out to sea. Sailing schools are very good ideas, but in my opinion self study is a very good start. You should be able to predict your instructors words and instructions before he/she even opens their mouth. If you walk in with this early knowledge then you will gain more from your lesson. Now you need to think about the size of boat you might want to sail or own. Your excitement over this question answered, will make you want to learn everything you can about sailing her before your class starts. The real joy of all this work is when you lay back on your cockpit cushion, with the tiller extension in hand, and pick out your anchorage for the night. Then drool over the dinner you will enjoy when the anchor is set. May the winds favor you and your journey. Ray & Reba S/V Speedy PS. We will hire a qualified instructor to sail with us on our new boat and teach us more about navigation, heavy seas sailing and whatever else he thinks we need to learn. I want to do this aboard our boat for the best results.
that worked very well. We decided to take up sailing 2 years ago. After we decided what we wanted in a sailboat we searched the market for 6 months to find that exact boat. Our requirements were for a trailerable boat that would allow us to remain afloat for 2 weeks at a time. We were lucky enough to find a 95 H26 with all the gear we needed. We then parked the boat infront of our garage. (Large shop) We then read every book, journal and magazine about sailing a boat in this size range. I mean study, walk out to the boat and fantasize, re-study and re-walk out to the boat and pretend we were sailing. We played with the actual lines and then re-studied, re-read and replayed for the entire fall, winter and early spring. That was the fall, winter and spring of 2000, 2001. Shoveling snow shortened the study time. We sailed 1100 miles the summer of 2001 on the upper Columbia River in eastern Washington State. Our lake is called "Lake Roosevelt" and is the 132 mile long lake formed by Grand Coulee Dam. We sold our home a week ago and will purchase a 37 to 45 foot boat in the next 2 months, fit her out, learn to sail her and take the next 10 years to go wherever we want. (We'll sell Speedy next week) We'll start out wherever we find that "drop dead boat". By Oct. 2002 we will head out to sea. Sailing schools are very good ideas, but in my opinion self study is a very good start. You should be able to predict your instructors words and instructions before he/she even opens their mouth. If you walk in with this early knowledge then you will gain more from your lesson. Now you need to think about the size of boat you might want to sail or own. Your excitement over this question answered, will make you want to learn everything you can about sailing her before your class starts. The real joy of all this work is when you lay back on your cockpit cushion, with the tiller extension in hand, and pick out your anchorage for the night. Then drool over the dinner you will enjoy when the anchor is set. May the winds favor you and your journey. Ray & Reba S/V Speedy PS. We will hire a qualified instructor to sail with us on our new boat and teach us more about navigation, heavy seas sailing and whatever else he thinks we need to learn. I want to do this aboard our boat for the best results.
Different methods......
Stay with me now......I bought a book, "Learn to sail in a weekend." Okay, you can stop laughing! I then went out and bought a perfect starter boat, my Venture 2-22. From there it was experimentation in stronger and stronger winds and waters. The navigation?...I just applied what I know about aviation navigation to sea navigation, i.e., air currents...sea currents. Both have the same effect. Loran and GPS...both the same. Weather...almost both the same. I also do a lot of reading on the subject and ask lots of questions of other sailors. Of course, you can avoid any pitfalls by taking lessons from a professional. I did it my way, but that's just how I think. You have your own ideas, I'm sure. Just my two cents....... Oh, almost forgot about practice: I call it experimentation. In addition to the 'Man overboard drill', etc. I slowly pushed my boat to the limits of control, i.e. sail reefed or not reefed in almost overpowering winds; how far can the boat heel without capsizing?; experimenting with trimming of the sails to the different wind angles; rudderless steering, etc. It has been said that experience is something one gets by making mistakes. Boy, do I have a lot of experience!
Stay with me now......I bought a book, "Learn to sail in a weekend." Okay, you can stop laughing! I then went out and bought a perfect starter boat, my Venture 2-22. From there it was experimentation in stronger and stronger winds and waters. The navigation?...I just applied what I know about aviation navigation to sea navigation, i.e., air currents...sea currents. Both have the same effect. Loran and GPS...both the same. Weather...almost both the same. I also do a lot of reading on the subject and ask lots of questions of other sailors. Of course, you can avoid any pitfalls by taking lessons from a professional. I did it my way, but that's just how I think. You have your own ideas, I'm sure. Just my two cents....... Oh, almost forgot about practice: I call it experimentation. In addition to the 'Man overboard drill', etc. I slowly pushed my boat to the limits of control, i.e. sail reefed or not reefed in almost overpowering winds; how far can the boat heel without capsizing?; experimenting with trimming of the sails to the different wind angles; rudderless steering, etc. It has been said that experience is something one gets by making mistakes. Boy, do I have a lot of experience!
You're doing it exactly right
Learning the fundamentals early on from professional teachers will save you from learning the hard way on your own. You may want to take another lesson in a few years, after you have more experience with your own boat.
Learning the fundamentals early on from professional teachers will save you from learning the hard way on your own. You may want to take another lesson in a few years, after you have more experience with your own boat.
Hard Head
I'm the hard head around here about a lot of things, but when it comes to instruction I soften right up. Nothing beats professional instruction. They've seen it all and know exactly where and how to start. You'll be glad you did... Ron/KA5HZV
I'm the hard head around here about a lot of things, but when it comes to instruction I soften right up. Nothing beats professional instruction. They've seen it all and know exactly where and how to start. You'll be glad you did... Ron/KA5HZV
Formal Instruction
I grew up in the yacht club sailing program and that's where I learned to sail back in the late '60s. Today, I regularly go back to recurrent training on the jets I fly; go through all the procedures and the nightmarish stuff one might someday encounter...all in the safety of The Box (flight simulator). All this to say that some formalized instruction is good for everyone and the ASA courses are about as good as any other. Hang in there; think you're on the right track.
I grew up in the yacht club sailing program and that's where I learned to sail back in the late '60s. Today, I regularly go back to recurrent training on the jets I fly; go through all the procedures and the nightmarish stuff one might someday encounter...all in the safety of The Box (flight simulator). All this to say that some formalized instruction is good for everyone and the ASA courses are about as good as any other. Hang in there; think you're on the right track.
Thanks - Words of Encouragement
Thank you all for the input and wonderful words of encouragement. So far, I feel very comfortable about my approach to sailing, as I hope to become a better sailor over the years. A "special thanks" to Ray & Reba who are about to set off on a journey of a lifetime (I'd love to chuck work and come with you). Good luck to you !! Darline s/v "Exquisite Delight"
Thank you all for the input and wonderful words of encouragement. So far, I feel very comfortable about my approach to sailing, as I hope to become a better sailor over the years. A "special thanks" to Ray & Reba who are about to set off on a journey of a lifetime (I'd love to chuck work and come with you). Good luck to you !! Darline s/v "Exquisite Delight"
Lessons
My wife and I were new to sailing two years ago. We took a 2 day class, I read everything I could get my hands on. I bought a new H260 last years and loving life. The 2 day class was enough for the basics. Forums such as this one and practice, practice, practice. And a lot of common sense! If it looks too rough, DON'T go out! After you get some confidence, you'll be able to experiment with the weather and the waves. A note: During the class our instructor had us bark out the commands, demanding immediate response. Sailing with your spouse it's a heck of a lot nicer to say please, and they respond just as fast...
My wife and I were new to sailing two years ago. We took a 2 day class, I read everything I could get my hands on. I bought a new H260 last years and loving life. The 2 day class was enough for the basics. Forums such as this one and practice, practice, practice. And a lot of common sense! If it looks too rough, DON'T go out! After you get some confidence, you'll be able to experiment with the weather and the waves. A note: During the class our instructor had us bark out the commands, demanding immediate response. Sailing with your spouse it's a heck of a lot nicer to say please, and they respond just as fast...
WOMANSHIP
WIFE TOOK WOMANSHIP OUT OF ANNAPOLIS IN APRIL- 4 NIGHTS ABOARD- SHE LEARNED A LOT --- THE RIGHT WAY- BOTH GALS WHO TAUGHT WERE LICENSED CAPTAINS- THAT MEANS THEY KNOW A LOT---
SHE HAS A LOT OF CONFIDENCE WHICH SHE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD IF SHE JUST WINGED IT WITH ME- I DO NOT HAVE THE CREDENTIALS- HAVE A GREAT TIME
WIFE TOOK WOMANSHIP OUT OF ANNAPOLIS IN APRIL- 4 NIGHTS ABOARD- SHE LEARNED A LOT --- THE RIGHT WAY- BOTH GALS WHO TAUGHT WERE LICENSED CAPTAINS- THAT MEANS THEY KNOW A LOT---
SHE HAS A LOT OF CONFIDENCE WHICH SHE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD IF SHE JUST WINGED IT WITH ME- I DO NOT HAVE THE CREDENTIALS- HAVE A GREAT TIME- Status