Sailing Book for my wife

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Bad Obsession

Bad Obsession

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May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
I have grown up around sailboats. My wife has never been around a sailboat before she met me. I sold my racing dingy and bought a cruising sailboat. We have started cruising and I am trying to teach her how to sail. I am very familiar with terms and the language but I have a hard time explaining them to my wife. When I explain something to her I feel like I have to give a very long winded explination for a 5 word sentence. My wife is smart and she learns well by reading things. Does anyone have any suggestions for a book that I could get for my wife to help her learn to sail? I think that it might be easier to give her a book so that when I say something or show her something she will understand and connect better.
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,203
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Womens Sailing Seminars

You know, I just read an article contrasting the way men and women 'learn' in terms of sailing. I think it would be money well spent to send her on a weekend seminar with her own gender. If I had it to do over again, I know I would. Some $$ now is minimal compared to what you'll spend on this family sport long-term and she will have the experience in a supportive and entertaining way. Think about it. Rick D.
 
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mary15487

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Jun 7, 2004
5
- - Oolgah, OK
Suggestion

I would suggest that you have her take a class. I took Basic Keelboat Sailing a few years ago and it was awesome. It wasn't very expensive and what a sense of accomplishment. I didn't know anything about sailing before that and now I have my own boat. Another idea is the book Sailing for Dummies. It does a good job of explaining the concepts. Good luck.
 
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Bob Keller

Go for the School

After sailing together for a few years it became apparent that it would be good for my wife to take sailing lessons. She took the three day Steve Colgate course on a Colgate 26. It was the best money ever spent. Although the instructor and the other two students were male, she excelled and actually realized all the things she actually did know as well as having explained all the things I could not properly communicate to her. It gave her confidence and has improved our sailing experience dramatically. The course includes text material, Basic Keelboat lesson book (very good) and other items. Mornings were in the classroom and afternoons on the water - regardless of weather and they had rough weather. In the end she has her first step ASA certification and qualified for her safe boating certificate.
 
Phil Herring

Phil Herring

Alien
Mar 25, 1997
4,924
- - Bainbridge Island
Sailing Fundamentals

Gary Jobson. Excellent book for newbies without the term "Dummies" in the title. Better as a spousal gift for that very reason. :) See link.
 
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p323ms

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May 24, 2004
341
Pearson 323 panama city
buy a dingy

My wife and I have been sailing together for 14 years. She still has some trouble. I think that sailing a dingy is the best way to learn to sail. Put her in a Sunfish etc and turn her loose. We have a couple of seakayaks and buying two was great. We had canoed together and she sand bagged or was always asking me what to do. Being the Captain of her own ship changed everything. No sandbagging or asking questions when you are the only one in the boat!!! ASAP I plan to get a small sailboat for her to sail in alone. There is something about being in command that makes you think and pay attention.
 
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Andy598

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Jun 7, 2004
22
- - Huron, Ohio
Annapolis

All are good suggestions, especially a class where she can be independent. If you need a book, John Rousmaniere's (sp?) Annapolis Book of Sailing is my wife's favorite. Andy
 
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elena

Great Learning Video

I would highly recommend the Bennett Marine Video " Sailing with Confidence" I gave it to one of my girlfriends who just started sailing and she found it more helpful in understanding sailing and the how to's more than any book she has read. The Annapolis Book of Seamanship is the best but it is a lot of info for a beginner. Try Amazon or West Marine for the Video.
 
David W

David W

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Jun 1, 2004
412
Catalina 27 Victoria BC
Take a course

Same situation here. My wife recently took the CYA Basic Cruising course, and came away with day skipper certification. Our collective confidence level rose tremedously. Recently we were out and got caught in a 20-30 kt blow. She was at the helm the entire time and I never had a worry...time and money well spent. David
 
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aeb

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May 18, 2004
12
- - Seattle
book info

Any more info on "The Seawifes Handbook"? Author, where to get it, etc? I just did a google search and couldn't find. Thanks!
 
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Mike D

The perfect book for your wife!

I understand you want a book that will make it easier when you say something or show her something so that she will understand and connect better. There is a book out that is full of gold and precious gems. Ask her to pick out her favorite and buy it for her. I guarantee it will make your sailing instructions much more comprehensible not to mention how you will be able to connect ever so much better. In the spirit of a good laugh, arrrrrrrrrrrrr arrrrrrrrrrr, Mike D
 
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Calif. Ted

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Jun 8, 2004
3,007
Catalina 320 Dana Point
My favorite basic sailing text is:

"The Complete Sailor" 'Learning the Art of Sailing' by David Seidman
 
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billnalice

Books on sailing

There is always "Chapman Piloting". I found that my wife became magicaly sailing conversant once she started readig our copy. "Tighten the cunningham and outhaul on the mainsail so that the camber is about 1/3 of the way aft of the mast" no longer gets me "that look" anymore. Bill Roosa
 
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