New to Sailing

[Uno Mast]

Hello everyone. I've spent a lot of time reading posts on this website in hopes of being prepared. I am brand new to sailing. My wife and I have taken 2 lessons (without wind, unfortunately) on a 22' O'day then we purchased a 1988 Beneteau First 285. We love the boat and popped our sailing cherry in some 25ish knot winds. It scared the crap out of my wife and got me hooked. That same night we met an experienced sailor that took us out for a moonlight sail. This is better than I ever imagined. I've been out (in wind) a total of 3 times, and this 28' tiller steered beast is a lot of boat for me. Anyway, is there any advise that anyone would like to offer?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Welcome to our wonderful little world! And congratulations on your boat.

A few basics:

Reef early and reef often - like voting!

Docking: practice, practice, practice. For a boat your size, the midships spring line is a must. Try this, read both pages and the links inside the topic: Single Handing 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5445.0.html

Read a few books if you haven't already, build a library.

Read the stuff on the West Marine Advisors, on line and in the catalogs, lots of good free stuff: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...10001&page=West-Advisor-Articles#.Ucy06pzfL_I

Consider taking a lesson on a windy day on your own boat.

Have your wife take the helm - it's a lot less scary for her when she has the tiller.

Good luck, it's a never-ending learning process.

 

[cymeyer]

Stu,

Great lessons.
For sure, reef early and often.
Saves on the nerves, the boat, and doesn't do much to sacrifice speed.
I also like to "fall off" or turn perpendicular to the wind if it blows hard.

I also don't like to go out if the wind is really strong. We typically don't like more than 20 kts. Sometimes you just get caught though and good to know how to manage it.

 

[knot smart]

Welcome aboard! One bit of advice that is catchy & that has stuck with me is... When in doubt, let it out! .. "it" being your main sheet..

 

[JRacer]

Find a copy of "Sail Power" by Wallace Ross and read it. If Kaw still has any racing going on, seek out some of the racers and offer to crew. You will learn more in a day on the race course than you will fumbling around on your own. Welcome aboard and have fun.
Where do you have your slip? Any slips available for a 31?

 

[Uno Mast]

Thank you, everyone! Great responses and I will not take the suggestions lightly. JRacer, I'll check on the slip and get back to you.

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

Avoid the rough staff initially. Take it easy and slowly. Go out with little wind until you learn how to handle the boat and gradually you will find out that the boat can handle much more wind than you.