So, how did you get into sailing?
- Thread starter r.w.landau
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A long time ago
I started sailing when I was about 13 or 14 years old...back in '73. Every summer we used to rent a cottage on Cape Cod in Chatham on Oyster River at a place called “Farmer’s in the Dell”. There was a group of families that rented cottages every year at the same time for 12+ years. One of the families had a Mirror Dinghy and I began sailing with them. A couple of years later my parent bought me my own Mirror Dinghy kit that I assembled with the help of my brother-in law. I sailed pretty regularly until I reached my mid-20’s. After that I relocated to the Midwest for about 4 years. I came back east, got married, had a few kids and the next thing you know its 2006, I’m 45, and it’s been nearly 15 years since I sailed. The old Mirror dinghy had a dry rotted transom and was deteriorating quickly. I finally got up the ambition to repair the dinghy and completed the repairs in time to take the boat on our family vacation to Dennis, MA (Cape Cod) this summer. My kids (twin 8 year olds and a 7 year old) and I had a blast, although the 11’ Mirror is a little snug for me these days. My wife won’t go near anything that doesn’t have a motor…yet! After getting back from the Cape, I decided a bigger boat was in order and in September a 1970 Mariner 2+2 was purchased. It needs a little work…alright quite a bit of work…but I’m anxious to get started on the restoration and get back into sailing ‘whole hog’ with the kids in ’07.
I started sailing when I was about 13 or 14 years old...back in '73. Every summer we used to rent a cottage on Cape Cod in Chatham on Oyster River at a place called “Farmer’s in the Dell”. There was a group of families that rented cottages every year at the same time for 12+ years. One of the families had a Mirror Dinghy and I began sailing with them. A couple of years later my parent bought me my own Mirror Dinghy kit that I assembled with the help of my brother-in law. I sailed pretty regularly until I reached my mid-20’s. After that I relocated to the Midwest for about 4 years. I came back east, got married, had a few kids and the next thing you know its 2006, I’m 45, and it’s been nearly 15 years since I sailed. The old Mirror dinghy had a dry rotted transom and was deteriorating quickly. I finally got up the ambition to repair the dinghy and completed the repairs in time to take the boat on our family vacation to Dennis, MA (Cape Cod) this summer. My kids (twin 8 year olds and a 7 year old) and I had a blast, although the 11’ Mirror is a little snug for me these days. My wife won’t go near anything that doesn’t have a motor…yet! After getting back from the Cape, I decided a bigger boat was in order and in September a 1970 Mariner 2+2 was purchased. It needs a little work…alright quite a bit of work…but I’m anxious to get started on the restoration and get back into sailing ‘whole hog’ with the kids in ’07.
1985 ofday anniversary 26 ftr
It all began when I was in summer camp as a young boy scout taking different merit badges and wat not.Not much happened for a few years except that I had a blow up 2 person raft, then a canoe and always enjoyed being around the water. Jump ahead quite a few years and at the age opf 26 I went along with my older brother and his buddies on a trip to the Carribean. We rented a 42 or 44 ft. CSY mid cockpit and had a wonderful time sailing around visiting the islands of Mustique, Mayero, The Tobago Cays and ST.Vincent. I spent the first day or 2 heaving over the side but soon I was hooked. Before long I was in the hold repairing some minor electrcal charging problems. The trip ended I returned to life and proceeded to purchase my own starter boat. I bought a 17 Ft Oday daysailor 1968, with the help of my roommat at that time. He then showed me how toi rig it and sail it. I recall 1 day we had been out together and he had to get going so I decided I was not done yet. I dropped him at the dock and sailed off.Well I tacked a few times and then mother nature called O MY GOD WAT DO I DO NOW!!! I learned and learned some more, a small boat has a lot of different techniques for sailing. Watch out for the boom, weighting and transfer of weight to name a few.Well I married and we enjoyed the boat until pregnancy then I was leaving to go off sailing and she stayed with our son. THat only lasted 1 season then the boat sat for years. We talked about getting back into it but it never happened. I too satisfied my urge to return to the water by canoeing and kayaking, which I continue to enjoy to this day. We had a few more kids bigger house more responsibility and the usual. We always dragged that little day sailor with us but never put it in the water.Then we split up and I returned to our first house w/out the daysalor. I was workimng in a customers home and he had some pictures on the wall and some other memorabilia, we talked and he did indeed have a sailboat.IT was winter but he said he was always looking for crew I jumped at the chance and in the spring he called. I met him and his daughter at the dock with another woman,Linda,we sat and looked at the boat and I said what next.Thaey said the motor had been giving them some trouble and he Jim,could not get into the dink to get out to the boat.So I asked Linda Wat next she said we could swim out if that was ok with me I said ok. I also said we could sail up to the dock if she was willing to help me get the boat set up as I was new to this particular craft. Well we did it, no damage, and off we went with the "captain" as we call him.Things went well we grew to the point were we could use the boat when we chose and took care of the little stuff it needed. Ultimately we Linda and I purchased the boat as equal partners and still own her today. The Captain retired to Florida, we do miss his sailing tales but we continue to toast him. The boat needed work when we bought it and I have learned to do most of the maintenance on bord. We have put in countless hyours and recordable amounts of money but I have truly grown to love sailing and renovating our boat. I now have 1 son in sea scouts and have aquired a sunfish and a small 12 foot amf Puffer for him to further his own interests. I say aquire because both of these boats just came my way for no money down. I forgot to say that the boat we, Linda and I have is a 1985 26ft anniversary edition. I also find this forum to be especially helpful in time of need.
It all began when I was in summer camp as a young boy scout taking different merit badges and wat not.Not much happened for a few years except that I had a blow up 2 person raft, then a canoe and always enjoyed being around the water. Jump ahead quite a few years and at the age opf 26 I went along with my older brother and his buddies on a trip to the Carribean. We rented a 42 or 44 ft. CSY mid cockpit and had a wonderful time sailing around visiting the islands of Mustique, Mayero, The Tobago Cays and ST.Vincent. I spent the first day or 2 heaving over the side but soon I was hooked. Before long I was in the hold repairing some minor electrcal charging problems. The trip ended I returned to life and proceeded to purchase my own starter boat. I bought a 17 Ft Oday daysailor 1968, with the help of my roommat at that time. He then showed me how toi rig it and sail it. I recall 1 day we had been out together and he had to get going so I decided I was not done yet. I dropped him at the dock and sailed off.Well I tacked a few times and then mother nature called O MY GOD WAT DO I DO NOW!!! I learned and learned some more, a small boat has a lot of different techniques for sailing. Watch out for the boom, weighting and transfer of weight to name a few.Well I married and we enjoyed the boat until pregnancy then I was leaving to go off sailing and she stayed with our son. THat only lasted 1 season then the boat sat for years. We talked about getting back into it but it never happened. I too satisfied my urge to return to the water by canoeing and kayaking, which I continue to enjoy to this day. We had a few more kids bigger house more responsibility and the usual. We always dragged that little day sailor with us but never put it in the water.Then we split up and I returned to our first house w/out the daysalor. I was workimng in a customers home and he had some pictures on the wall and some other memorabilia, we talked and he did indeed have a sailboat.IT was winter but he said he was always looking for crew I jumped at the chance and in the spring he called. I met him and his daughter at the dock with another woman,Linda,we sat and looked at the boat and I said what next.Thaey said the motor had been giving them some trouble and he Jim,could not get into the dink to get out to the boat.So I asked Linda Wat next she said we could swim out if that was ok with me I said ok. I also said we could sail up to the dock if she was willing to help me get the boat set up as I was new to this particular craft. Well we did it, no damage, and off we went with the "captain" as we call him.Things went well we grew to the point were we could use the boat when we chose and took care of the little stuff it needed. Ultimately we Linda and I purchased the boat as equal partners and still own her today. The Captain retired to Florida, we do miss his sailing tales but we continue to toast him. The boat needed work when we bought it and I have learned to do most of the maintenance on bord. We have put in countless hyours and recordable amounts of money but I have truly grown to love sailing and renovating our boat. I now have 1 son in sea scouts and have aquired a sunfish and a small 12 foot amf Puffer for him to further his own interests. I say aquire because both of these boats just came my way for no money down. I forgot to say that the boat we, Linda and I have is a 1985 26ft anniversary edition. I also find this forum to be especially helpful in time of need.
The Rest is History....
At age nine, at a YMCA camp, I sailed my 1st boat -- a Ray Greene 11 ft. "Nipper" (catboat.) Since then have built 3 sailboat, owned 7. Curcumnavigated the eastern US via "Great Circle route. Sailed to Bermuda. ...been sailing ever since the nipper because the wind is "free" -- don't have to buy gas/fuel -- Ha!
At age nine, at a YMCA camp, I sailed my 1st boat -- a Ray Greene 11 ft. "Nipper" (catboat.) Since then have built 3 sailboat, owned 7. Curcumnavigated the eastern US via "Great Circle route. Sailed to Bermuda. ...been sailing ever since the nipper because the wind is "free" -- don't have to buy gas/fuel -- Ha!
Got into sailing when I was a teen
It was while living out west in Utah. I was cresting into the early teenage years during '83-'84. My family started seeing I was interested in sailing and a family friend of ours, their son who was 6 years my senior, he sailed a small 14' sunfish sailboat at Rockport Resevoir in the mountains near Park City, Utah. After some summer trips up, he offered to teach me to sail. He told me, the basics of sailing can be taught over one weekend, but the real experience of sailing is something you will learn throughout your life. He took me out, showed me everything and I was hooked! Wasn't log before they allowed me to sail solo. I'd be clipping along nicely, all too often finding myself happily on the other side of the resevoir! But it was a blast. Later that summer, my father as a gift, bought me the same 14' sunfish I learned on. I sailed that boat for 2-3 seasons before I went off and joined the Navy. I served on an aircraft carrier (USS Constellation) for 3 years. However, whenever we were in port, if there was a sailing center around, I'd find it and try to get out on any boat I could get my hands on. Often Hobie catamaran's, Prindle's or Sunfish boats. After the Navy, I was back in Utah, however without a boat. Dreaming, constantly dreaming of distant shores and the cruising lifestyle. I ended up re-settling to Green Bay, Wisconsin being closer to large bodies of water, I found the dream of sailing returning even more stronger. After seeing a lonely, neglected 1972 Oday 23 for several years in a boatyard, I convinced my wife to buy her. We did and after a 1 1/2 refit/restoration, she was sea-worthy and ready to go. This was my first "Big" boat, with alot to learn, but reading alot, listening to advice and great experience here in this Oday website, allowed me to build confidence. I sailed that Oday 23 for 3 years, she was a solid boat, great fun aboard! Learned more and more each time I went out with friends. But soon, the "admiral" (aka : wife) wanted a bigger boat. So, the captain listened and so in Sept 2006, after sailing 300 NM during the summer of 2006, I sold my Oday 23 and bought a 1976 Oday 27. More room below, more creature comforts and safety essentials. Plus, she's set up for singlehandling much better than my previous Oday. I've always wanted a 27' to sail and then use that to move up to a bigger , more suitable bluewater cruiser, but now I cannot wait to log some serious mileage under her hull as we cruise the waters of the Great Lakes. From what I've heard, boats of this size are alot of fun for long-distance cruising, so cast off the lines...let's go! Finding new adventure, and building upon experience as I aim for my goal to cast off and go cruising. Caribbean, Marquesas and beyond.... a cruisers dream!
It was while living out west in Utah. I was cresting into the early teenage years during '83-'84. My family started seeing I was interested in sailing and a family friend of ours, their son who was 6 years my senior, he sailed a small 14' sunfish sailboat at Rockport Resevoir in the mountains near Park City, Utah. After some summer trips up, he offered to teach me to sail. He told me, the basics of sailing can be taught over one weekend, but the real experience of sailing is something you will learn throughout your life. He took me out, showed me everything and I was hooked! Wasn't log before they allowed me to sail solo. I'd be clipping along nicely, all too often finding myself happily on the other side of the resevoir! But it was a blast. Later that summer, my father as a gift, bought me the same 14' sunfish I learned on. I sailed that boat for 2-3 seasons before I went off and joined the Navy. I served on an aircraft carrier (USS Constellation) for 3 years. However, whenever we were in port, if there was a sailing center around, I'd find it and try to get out on any boat I could get my hands on. Often Hobie catamaran's, Prindle's or Sunfish boats. After the Navy, I was back in Utah, however without a boat. Dreaming, constantly dreaming of distant shores and the cruising lifestyle. I ended up re-settling to Green Bay, Wisconsin being closer to large bodies of water, I found the dream of sailing returning even more stronger. After seeing a lonely, neglected 1972 Oday 23 for several years in a boatyard, I convinced my wife to buy her. We did and after a 1 1/2 refit/restoration, she was sea-worthy and ready to go. This was my first "Big" boat, with alot to learn, but reading alot, listening to advice and great experience here in this Oday website, allowed me to build confidence. I sailed that Oday 23 for 3 years, she was a solid boat, great fun aboard! Learned more and more each time I went out with friends. But soon, the "admiral" (aka : wife) wanted a bigger boat. So, the captain listened and so in Sept 2006, after sailing 300 NM during the summer of 2006, I sold my Oday 23 and bought a 1976 Oday 27. More room below, more creature comforts and safety essentials. Plus, she's set up for singlehandling much better than my previous Oday. I've always wanted a 27' to sail and then use that to move up to a bigger , more suitable bluewater cruiser, but now I cannot wait to log some serious mileage under her hull as we cruise the waters of the Great Lakes. From what I've heard, boats of this size are alot of fun for long-distance cruising, so cast off the lines...let's go! Finding new adventure, and building upon experience as I aim for my goal to cast off and go cruising. Caribbean, Marquesas and beyond.... a cruisers dream!
by accident
I was working at a summer camp, and we were launching our new acquisition, an o'day 22. It had no motor, and I was simply instructed to dock it to the floating platform. I didn't say anything, though it really was my first time sailing a boat. I had been on sailboats before, but then I was only on for the ride. On the second attempt I brought it alongside the platform, and I've been hooked worse than gaffed tuna since then.
I was working at a summer camp, and we were launching our new acquisition, an o'day 22. It had no motor, and I was simply instructed to dock it to the floating platform. I didn't say anything, though it really was my first time sailing a boat. I had been on sailboats before, but then I was only on for the ride. On the second attempt I brought it alongside the platform, and I've been hooked worse than gaffed tuna since then.
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