Newbie or Old Salt?

[Sue and Rob]

Never too Late

My husband and I are 48 and 50 years old respectively. We had been power boaters for ten years, and bought our first sail boat this year. We had never sailed before but, we love it. We have lots to learn!

 

[Bill Buckley]

At long last

Sailing experience started many years ago (15 or more), with friends and family that have owned boats various sizes from 35-40 feet down to 16 foot day sailors. But, would not consider casual day sails such as these as making me a sailor (just did what I was told and enjoyed the ride) Never had the time or lived in a place that led me to buy a boat myself (until just recently). So now with a 35 foot hunter (and a couple of classes behind me) I am finally a real beginning sailor (bought boat in March) and am thoroughly enjoying the experience.

 

[Todd Dougall]

Old sailor hold the salt

My introduction to sailing was in 1970 on a Cal 26 on Lake Mead NV. I fell in love with the sport. As many beginners my first boat was a Hobie 16 followed by a Col 26. To hone my sailing and racing skills I purchased a Laser. The Col 26 was followed by a Col 34. After sailing the 34 for a number of years my interest in racing peaked. I sold the 34 and ordered an Islander 28 completly race rigged.I now have owned a Hunter 40.5 for the last 8 years.

 

[Carla DeMan]

New but old

Used to sail way back when then not for almost 20 years until buying my first boat last year--a 30-foot Hunter.

 

[Captn Billy (Sweet Emocean)]

Medium Oldie

Only started sailing about 7 years ago (co-owned 30' Hunter). I've been a power boater all my life (I'll be 68 in 3 weeks). Born and raised on the Chattahoochee River (GA-AL line), I've been pretty much continually on the water, except for a few o/s tours during my 21 year military career. Back in the "old days", before all the dams on the Chattahoochee, there was no way to sail. It was an effort to dodge the rocks in our bateaus and I have sheared many pins and broken props. Anyway, I am a recent owner or a 1984 25' Macgregor that I am "customizing" to make it easier for me to operate alone. Installed a topping lift yesterday and finished up my Lazy Jack today. So soon as I post this I'm outta here. I just hung up the sign "GONE SAILING"

 

[Toni]

gray beard?

Weathered face? Sure? Gray beard? Even after 35 years of sailing, most women I know won't admit to that!

 

[Scott Schuster]

Off and On Sailor

AlohaSailed off and on for 25 years. Grew up on Catamarans. Family got too large and graduated to a 25 Santana by W.D. Schock. Looking to go bigger now. Sailed reciently from Oahu to Molokai. What a blast.Sailed for years then joined the Marine Corps. Depending on the Duty station. Second time around at Hawaii.

 

[Ron Davis]

Old Saltless Newbie

I bought my first boat (not counting a canoe) two summers ago. I shopped for a year, and ended up buying exactly whatI wanted, a one year old used Mac 26X. I proved it trailers great right away because I pulled it from Boston to Virginia the day I bought it.My wife's idea of retirement (two years to go) has always been to sail the Caribbean. We never had even been on a sailboat so I decided I better learn. The Mac, and it's 50 hp engine, seemed ideal to learn with. So far, I've gone down the list of mistakes you can make and it's forgiven me every time.The future is to move to Charlotte Harbor, Florida, trade in the Mac for something about 38 feet and head for the islands.

 

[Jim Spencer]

Young at heart "old" salt.

Yes, I'm a white beard, but a kid again when at the helm. My wife continues to remark about the smile on my face when the wind is up and the boat is moving smartly. I came late to sailing, 1979 early 30's, but have been sailing since and can't imagine what I did before that. We've transitioned from a Chrysler 22, to Chrysler 26, to a 81 Hunter 33, and now an 82 Hunter 37 Cutter.Our family sailed the NY Finger Lakes for 8 years, spent 8 years boating Lake Ontario, now my wife and I ply the waters of Lake Champlain, bringing our boat from Ontario down the St Lawrence and down to Champlain from the north. In 99 we brought our H37C on LI and had a ball bringing it up to Champlain from the south.I've done a blue water sail from Antigua to Conn, via Bermuda. We've done three bare boat charters in the US and British VI and an afternoon in a rental out of San Diego. We're headed to Maui in October where I hope to do some sailing there.

 

[Melvin Kincel]

Old Salt

I have sailed a Hobie Cat for 25 years and now in the "golden years" wanted something a little drier so we chose the 23.5. The Hunter 23.5 is in Cape Coral, Fla for sailing to some of the various islands. I still love to sail the catamaran-it's a different kind of sailing.

 

[Robert Ference]

old salt

Sailing for about 15 years. On our 5th boat. Started with a 10 ft. minifish and went up . Now have a 28.5 Hunter.Only gap was last two years while trying to find a slip or mooring in Eastern MA. Now have a slip and had the boat delivered from Havre de Grace, MD

 

[Ron DeLaere]

no salt

I am in my fourth year of sailing on Lake Michigan. Started at 56. We bought a h34 1984 to start and after 2 yrs bought a new 43. The h34 had all the right equipment to decide if sailing was in our future and it is. One of the biggest supprise was that few boats leave the marina at all, more sail than power but inexcess of 80%. We only stayed in port because of rain or 6+ waves or 20+ winds about 2 times a year or (6 months). We have been in 15 foot waves and 35+ winds (don't like it though). Our new boat handles it better than we do but we feel safe. I wish that I had found sailing years earlier. We start withdrawl if we don't sail at least 2 to 3 days a week. Winter is a real hard season and difficult to endure

 

[John Crowe]

Old and New

I first crewed on a 100 ft ketch in the Pacific in the late 60's. From 1970 til last year I power boated off and on, then the memories of sailing came back and I bought a Mac/Ven 25 last year. Nothing makes me happier than a good wind on Lake Ontario and the sound of the water rushing by.

 

[Mary]

Sailing saved my life

My husband died of a heart attack while we on a chartered sailboat off of Aruba 3.5 years ago. We were out there because I wanted to encourage him to be interested in sailing. I took my first sailing lesson 3 months later. Our kids thought I had lost my mind. They were sure I was planning on sailing off into the sunset and jumping overboard. I continued lessons while continuing to sail wherever and whenever I could talk someone into letting me crew with them. I bought a 33 foot Beneateau 331 this past spring. Sailing truly gave me a purpose for living. In the meantime, a couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to find a wonderful man who took a sailing course after I took him out on a rented sailboat. Fortunately he loves me as much as sailing. We are having a great time with the boat, have made a few (no plenty) of mistakes along the way but our confidence and skills are developing. We've ventured as far out as Block Island under pretty heavy weather I might add. We are hooked for life! We tell everyone our little boat is our beginner boat, not our retirement boat. We are planning a summer 2003 wedding and plan to honeymoon on the boat. How romantic is that!?!

 

[Rick D]

Old Salt

Stated sailing 30 years ago on a a 14' paceship, great boat, if you can sail that boat alone you can sail anything, then bought a cal 20, sail that for a couple of years. Sold that and raised a family for 20 years,but continued to sail by getting into racing and crewing on a number of different boats.Great expereince, I learned more about sailing in an hour than sailing 10 years by myself.Finnaly after many years i bought a Oday 20 from my nieghbor. Having a blast on it,manage to get out there 4 times a week.My wife who thought she'd hate sailing loves it

 

[Al Eckhart]

Oldie But Still Learning

My wife got me interested in sailing in 1972 for something to do in the summer. I've since owned two Snark 11 footers and a 16' Luger kit which I built with my brother. I've owned a Catalina 25T since 1989. My primary sailing is club racing but do some short 2 to 4 day cruisies as well. Although my wife got me into sailing, she does not like the heeling motion and therfore doesn't sail. As a result I am equiping my boat "Gallivant" and learning to sail single handed for cruising/day sailing. I am also constantly trying to squeeze that last tenth of a knot out of her for racing. I'm 54 and intend to sail until....whenever.

 

[Steve]

New (old) Salt

I'm 63, this is my first year as a boat owner, with two friends. I live on Lake Champlain, in Burlington VT. We bought a '72 Venture 21. All I can say is; this has been the best summer ever, sailing is the best, it makes everything go away. I often go out alone, tired of calling friends, it scares me a little but I love the freedom and the beauty of the Lake Champlain. At 63 I've found a new life. I love it!This site is great. Steve

 

[Rick D]

Thanks, Mary. Great Attitude.

nm

 

[[author]Dick Schwarz]

Once hooked, always hooked.

I've always been around the water but never thought sailing would be any fun. Too Slow, too boring. But on beautiful fall day in Georgia (1967), I had nothing better to do, so I met a good friend out on the lake to try his new boat, a Columbia 22. I instantly fell in love with sailing and he asked if I would like to learn and help him crew on races. I bought my 1st boat within two weeks, joined my friend in a patnership the next year on a 27 footer, went into the sailboaty business for 15 years, have sailed over 70,000 miles and currently own a Gulfstar 50 out in California. Sailing is everything. I cruise, race and just have a great time.

 

[Dena Stout]

Pass the Salt

We purchased a 27' Cal in May of 2002. My father in law was a tug boat captain in Puget Sound and my husband worked as a deckhand for Foss to help pay for his education. I have never seen my husband happier and more in his element than when we are sailing. We have found a mutual love!