Newbie w/ questions about vessel length

[Joe]

There is a lot of good information being thrown around out there. When I was in my mid teens I spent a lot of time racing sailboats. You will learn more stuff about sailing by racing with an experienced crew. Eventually I had worked my way through every position on the boats I raced on. I was a trimmer, spinnaker trimmer, bow man, mast man, and I did some helming. I have forgotten some of the stuff I learned back then when it comes to tweeking sails, but I am a cruiser now and I am not always trying to squeeze that .10 extra knot out of the boat by tweeking a halyard or other sailing control.

Start small. Sailing a dingy is forgiving and gives you valuable skills. You can sometimes rent dingys and sail them for a while to get comfortable on them. I learned on a sunfish and it was a great teacher and a lot of fun. Start in lighter winds and then do more sailing in bigger winds.

When you get to your first cruising boat go to a medium sized boat, 22-27 feet. You may find that you like that sized boat because there are some unique options that you have there. Being able to trailer a boat can be nice and it can save maintenance costs. Remember that what-ever you get the bigger it is the more it will cost. Not just the initial cost, but the cost in maintenance (I would suggest looking at the typical maintenance of a boat before purchase too because this can be expensive).

Once you sail your cruiser for a few times, find a close by place to do an overnight.

By taking small steps it should help you out.

This is some incredibly good advice. I suggest our newbie read it a few times and use it as a general outline for his sailing progress. Good job, B.O.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Joe,

What about me man, I was the first calling out for experience before wanting to be an explorer.

I'm messing with you man but, Chris needs to know what's involved before he jumps into the soup.............

My other like-minded pals posted their same thoughts on this thread. The wise will take note. It's not the end result but, the trip getting there that matters most.

CR

 

[RECESS]

My wife and were watching a YouTube of some inexperienced sailors bringing their sailboat down the ICW. At some point they worked up the courage to go out in the "open" ocean. I asked my wife if we ever used that phrase? She laughed and said yes we did.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

From a former dealer view, it is obvious that you want to sail to Catalina and there are all types of boats. There are many good suggestions but first I would advise that your better half or significant other and you take some lessons first from either a good school, club or some sailors to see if this is what you want to do. If you then like sailing and suggest you try some rough conditions in the initial sailing too, then the two of you need to sit down and see what you want to do with a boat for the next five years. Some say start with a larger boat for the ocean or start with a smaller boat as it does require more handling as it is a lighter boat. I would suggest what the two of you want to do after you have wetted your lips and then how much you want to spend. Then you should be in a better position to know what boat you really want and the affordable boat you can handle in your budget. Food for thought.

 

[zeehag]

there is a rental fleet in newport ca--- why not rent a sailboat from them and take a sailing friend with ye to catalina on that before ye make up your mind.... could be fun.... they arent that pricey

 

[Joe]

Joe,

What about me man, I was the first calling out for experience before wanting to be an explorer.

I'm messing with you man but, Chris needs to know what's involved before he jumps into the soup.............

My other like-minded pals posted their same thoughts on this thread. The wise will take note. It's not the end result but, the trip getting there that matters most.

CR

Beg your pardon, Cap'n, but you might want to read the thread from the beginning to see who actually mentioned "experience first".

My point was that Bad Obsession's response was more than an opinion. It was well crafted presentation of a sound strategy for becoming a good sailor and explorer.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Joe,

Sorry if you feel I was ruffling your feathers man.

I said I was just messing with you.

CR

 

[Bad Obsession]

Wow....Guys...Let's remember that we are all trying to help out here. Besides....The last group that went out with Captain Ron did okay (I think that they made a movie about it). LOL


Maybe we should list a few good books for our newbie as well.

Don't laugh, but "Sailing For Dummies" is supposed to be a good book to help out with the basics.

Anyone else want to list a book for our new member looking for enlightenment?