This question is almost embarrassing.....

[thinwater]

Perhaps some of the comments should be interpreted this way instead:

"You've signed up for a class for which you have not completed the recommended prerequisites. Therefore, this class is going to be a struggle for you. Although you can probably succeed, the prerequisites provide background theory that this class is not structured to provide."

There's nothing wrong with the purchase. But that does not mean that learning to sail a smaller boat first is still not a good idea. It will teach you things the bigger boat never will. The college administration would tell you the same thing, perhaps harshly.

If he has done all the reading and knows the boat, there's nothing to do but take it out is light winds, slowly stretching your experience base. Good luck!

 

[Capt Robbie]

I would agree with some of the members post that you can find a great deal of information about how to sail in the Internet and on YouTube. The amount of info you can obtain thru these sources is incredible today. I wish that this info was avialabe when I learned how to sail. One thing worth mentioning is that as I clicked thru the info that I saw, I noticed that a lot of the info was targeted at small sailboats that is just fine however someone that is new to sailing may disregard this type of info only because the instructor is referring to small sailboats such as day sailors. Now as I understand it you have a 40 footer. You guys have to understand that the same exact theory applies to your boat as it does on a smaller day sailor. Your boat just has larger equipment and in most cases more forgiving when you make a mistake. Example some day sailor type boats, you are the ballast and of you do something wrong, well most likely you are going to get wet Which is not the case in larger boats.

Sometimes it may be easier to learn on a small boat only because I feel that you can feel the reaction of how the wind and the boat react together. That may be a hard concept for you to grasp now untill you actually get out on the water.

Now I don't want to make you feel intimidated about sailing a larger boat. Like I said before I have taught hundreds of people like you to sail. Small boats and big boats, it really makes no diferance. I taught at a brokerage where a few people bought 40 footers and had never sailed a day in there lives.

If you guys know the basic navigation stuff then I would suggest to go out on the water on a nice calm day and start to try out what you have learned so far. I usually would take my students out during the midle of the week when there were less boaters on the water. I found this to be much less intimating.

Now as I said in my prior post you may want to talk to a few sailboat captains at a local marina and ask if they wouldn't mind going sailing with you on your boat to help show you the ropes.
I don't know of any sailor the would refuse a boat ride.
I will let you guys know about a little secret about sailboat captains
"We are always looking for an excuse to go sailing"

Now all the web and you tube info that you can get is no substitute for practical application on the water. Two books that are a great resource to have are Annapolis book of seamanship and Chapmans book of seamanship both are a great read and great to keep on board as quick reference guide.

Hope you find this useful.
Good luck and have fun

 

[Will Gilmore]

Welcome aboard our little eSailboat, Momof3k. Dispite the little bit of judgment in some of the responses, these guys are the best and have every intention and desire to be helpful. They are knowledgeable and widely experienced. You will find you have just taken the biggest step towards better sailing by joining us. Well, besides getting a sailboat.
You have already gotten great advice about where and how to start learning. If you don't have a sailing tender (a little boat to get out to your anchored or moored big boat) you might consider looking into that. There are sail equipped inflatables and light hard dinghies with sails that are easy to setup and take down. This would be an easy way of justifying the money for a beginner's boat to practice in. You will need a good tender once you start sailing to new places.
Another point I haven't read here yet is rules of the road. You and your husband may already know a lot about them, but it would be very helpful to be able to identify where a channel is and which side of a marker has the deep water. South Florida sailing has a lot of shoals. If you head out to that clear, traffic free area in the bay, to practice tacking in, make sure there isn't a practical reason nobody is sailing there already. In the old days, knowing how to read a chart was essential, but a good GPS chart plotter is how everyone is doing it now.

Good luck and I hope you get out there soon.

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[TomY]

I am so happy this is anonymous because this question is embarrassing. My husband bought a 40.5 Hunter sailboat(mid-life crisis??) . The problem is that he has never been sailing on his boat, or any other boat...ever.......
The boat came with everything and he knows the basics but again, has never sailed. We looked for someone local for lessons but they were just too expensive for us right now. Does anyone know of a website or any advice to get us sailing this weekend. Just for a couple of hours. His boat is moored off Key Biscayne.
The hubby is really smart and handy and since he has been living on the boat for hte last 6 months, he knows all the parts and what does what and what goes where but the actually sailing part is not happening. I am hoping to be able to give him some advice from all you experts and we can learn together. Can anyone offer any help or guidance...????

When I read your post, I didn't assume your husband - who has never sailed, in fact never even "been on a sailboat", was proficient at piloting the 40.5.

I'll assume now from your responses, that he is skilled, can maneuver around Biscayne Bay, so he can concentrate on the sailing part.

But still, I don't think there is any advice that can be given from here, or on the internet, that would be as good as taking a smaller boat out in protected water, first. If the two of you want to start with the 40.5, at least take someone with some sailing experience along, it will save you loads of lost time.

We send kids out to learn sailing all the time. For their first time, they usually go in small boats like a 9' Turnabout or 8' Opti Pram. Supervised, an instructor in a a nearby boat telling them what to do, in calm protected water, they learn pretty quickly. It's a safe way, an efficient way. Light loads, rarely anyone gets hurt.

I'm trying to think what advice we'd give those kids at the dock as we shoved them off in Hunter 40.5 into Biscayne Bay for their first sail.

 

[Will Gilmore]

I'm trying to think what advice we'd give those kids at the dock as we shoved them off in Hunter 40.5 into Biscayne Bay for their first sail.

"Remember you have an anchor!"

Knowing how to anchor and remembering it is an essential safety feature can save a boat and her crew from disaster.

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[dehler25]

As pointed out a day or two with someone that knows how to sail will propel the learning curve into overdrive, it is enormously frustrating to not understand simple fundamentals where nothing is making sense. Many of us learned from nothing and I wish I had known a sailor in Colorado where I started. Many sailors are pilots and that made it easier to understand what the air was doing to make the boat move. I think all the answers had their hearts in the right place but it can seem quite condescending and unfriendly. A dingy can teach a lot if it has a sail especially how to get back in when it gets dumped something not to worry about on a big boat, many fine sailors have never sailed anything tiny. He and hopefully you will learn and do well in this new life experience. Do however get the BoatU.S towing, Florida waters are tricky and you can carry it for a decade, never need it, and still come out ahead over a single pull off.

 

[Scott B]

Really?

If you use the link on the bottom left of each response "Reply w/Quote" then we will know which answer you are responding to.

 

[Momof3k]

If you use the link on the bottom left of each response "Reply w/Quote" then we will know which answer you are responding to.

Didn’t have glasses on and didn’t see that. No problem. Thank you!!

 

[Momof3k]

Momof4k,
welcome !!!
I used to be a sailing instructor and taught hundreds how to sail.
I can ensure you that you can not learn how to sail in a weekend.
One great source is to join United States Power Squadron.
Www.usps.org. They are a non profit public boating educational and safety organization that offers all kinds of boating courses to there members. They offer courses at extremely reasonable rates after you become a member. The membership fee is about $100 or something for the year. Most of the membership fee goes to help support there educational programs for safe boating on the water.
Some courses they offer are:
1. Sailing
2. Basic seamanship
3. Piloting
4. Advanced piloting
5. Weather
Many more are also available, however some have prerequisites.
If I remember correctly Sailing was an elective.
I have been a Usps member for almost 40 years. As I said before I was a certified instructor years ago and taught many of these courses. Awsome group of people to be associated with, there goal is to educate boaters and as I said very reasonable course fees. Almost all of the course fees are basically to cover cost of books and materials for the classes.
Contact them and they will be able give you a local squadron in your area.

Other places to contact for lessons would be local sailboat race organizations, sailboat captains, or Us sailing center in your area.
They maybe a bit $$$
Another place you might want to consider is your local marina
Introduce yourself to one of the sailboat captains at the dock and ask them if they know of anyone that the might know that could show you the ropes. You will be surprised how many sailboat captains are just looking for an excuse to go sailing.

I've taken lot of new people out sailing that I simply just met on the dock that I can now call great friends.
Six pack of beer a a promise to swab the decks when you get back to the docks is always a great way to win the hart of a sailboat captain

Hope this helps

Thank you, that’s the kind of answers I am looking for. I’ll look them up now.

 

[thinwater]

I don't know of any sailor the would refuse a boat ride.
I will let you guys know about a little secret about sailboat captains
"We are always looking for an excuse to go sailing"...

That's pretty good advice. I've done just that with a number of beginning sailors. I was always a fun day, because they were excited to learn. It's fun to be with and to watch someone who is excited.

 

[Rxsail]

Sailing is easy, but there are those that like to make things complicated. You will love it! Just start slow, motoring around with a friend with some experience. Pull a little of the headsail out first and just get the feel of the boat moving with the wind. Progress to all the sails in easy water and light winds...before long you will get the hang of it. Do some reading, and sure get some instruction.
Enjoy, a 40 foot boat is a great size!

 

[BlowMeAway]

I believe if you take your time, one step then add another, get to know your sailing environment, accustomize your selves with the perfection and flaws of the boat, build that confidence with each sequential outing, and make some friends in the Marina...you’ll have the time of your life.

My wife is not a great sailor, but she loves being on the boat and helps significantly by being a fantastic host.

 

[Mika1]

First, let me admit that I only read the first page of this thread before being compelled to reply. I have a pretty strong reaction to the tone of what I was reading (strong enough to actually use my login for the first time in over a year), and the fact that the OP felt defensive. Having said that...

I'll be the contrarian to the doom and gloom being spewed if you don't start on a small boat and work your way up. I didn't, so hopefully I can offer something useful to Mo3k. IMO, the reasoning behind all the advice to start on something smaller is it's easier to learn the fine points of trimming sails, harder to find yourself overpowered (overwhelmed), and when you do the consequences are less severe. It makes sense so far, right? But starting small isn't an absolute - I (and many others) started on the boat I wanted from a standpoint similar to what it sounds like your husband has. It just set me off today when once again, I'm reading a thread on a forum where someone is getting bashed with the "You shouldn't have done that, You should do it this way" doom and gloom.

My advice is that you and your husband need to understand 3 things: First, safety is first. Always. Second, recognize the limitation of your lack of experience and work up to things. Be conservative as far as conditions, distances and sails and work your way up to being in higher winds and seas, being out longer, etc. Be conservative and go slow while you're learning navigation (esp in anchorages, docking, etc). For instance, the first time you have to navigate a tricky channel or cut or whatever, you want to have navigated several wide open, easy ones. The first time you find yourself with full sails up in 20-25kt winds you'll want to have been under full sail in some 15's. Stuff like that - so point #2 is to be conservative while you gain experience. Whichever of you feels the most uneasy/unsure is right. If one want's to drop or reef a sail, that's what you do. You know? Keep each other on the conservative side of things. The third thing I would offer is that safety is always first. Know things like rules of the road and emergency procedures and stuff like that. Start small and be safe. Keep those three things in mind and you'll be fine. Always be a student - always try to learn and understand more, and improve. Have fun. Slow down and enjoy life. Sailing isn't hard but sailing well isn't easy.

 

[Kermit]

My first encounter with someone skipping a step in a learning process was a man who told me he was going to set up a color darkroom in his home. He had never attempted anything in black-and-white. I asked how he figured he’d learn it without any previous experience and he stated that he always accomplished what he sets out to do. I assume he was successful. I hope y’all are successful. Your process is different from most, though.

 

[907Juice]

First, let me admit that I only read the first page of this thread before being compelled to reply. I have a pretty strong reaction to the tone of what I was reading (strong enough to actually use my login for the first time in over a year), and the fact that the OP felt defensive. Having said that...

I'll be the contrarian to the doom and gloom being spewed if you don't start on a small boat and work your way up. I didn't, so hopefully I can offer something useful to Mo3k. IMO, the reasoning behind all the advice to start on something smaller is it's easier to learn the fine points of trimming sails, harder to find yourself overpowered (overwhelmed), and when you do the consequences are less severe. It makes sense so far, right? But starting small isn't an absolute - I (and many others) started on the boat I wanted from a standpoint similar to what it sounds like your husband has. It just set me off today when once again, I'm reading a thread on a forum where someone is getting bashed with the "You shouldn't have done that, You should do it this way" doom and gloom.

My advice is that you and your husband need to understand 3 things: First, safety is first. Always. Second, recognize the limitation of your lack of experience and work up to things. Be conservative as far as conditions, distances and sails and work your way up to being in higher winds and seas, being out longer, etc. Be conservative and go slow while you're learning navigation (esp in anchorages, docking, etc). For instance, the first time you have to navigate a tricky channel or cut or whatever, you want to have navigated several wide open, easy ones. The first time you find yourself with full sails up in 20-25kt winds you'll want to have been under full sail in some 15's. Stuff like that - so point #2 is to be conservative while you gain experience. Whichever of you feels the most uneasy/unsure is right. If one want's to drop or reef a sail, that's what you do. You know? Keep each other on the conservative side of things. The third thing I would offer is that safety is always first. Know things like rules of the road and emergency procedures and stuff like that. Start small and be safe. Keep those three things in mind and you'll be fine. Always be a student - always try to learn and understand more, and improve. Have fun. Slow down and enjoy life. Sailing isn't hard but sailing well isn't easy.

I agree with the safety and conservative part. For my first season with a cruiser I had a first reef in about half of the time. It was much safer and the kept the admiral happy. If she ain’t happy, you no longer have a boat...

 

["Selah"]

Hey, Momof3k!
I had an introduction to sailing at summer camp when I was 15. That was 1968. The fever hit me then. In 1993, I met my future wife, married her in 1994, had our only child in 1995. In 2002, we had moved to my present location. We were crossing Lake Hartwell one summer day that year and saw a sailboat race under way. I mentioned to her that I had wanted to own a sailboat since I was 15. She told me about a former beau who taught her to sail on Lake Ontario --I had no idea till then that she loved to sail or knew anything about it. She looked at me and said "let's get one"--the easiest thing we ever agreed on. Two weeks later we had a 16 foot Precision sailboat. We took our time and learned together how to sail. I bought a couple books on learning to sail and we practiced the techniques. In 2006, we decided to step up in size temporarily so we could have weekends on the lake with long range plans of eventually getting a boat in the 40 foot range and retiring to the Caribbean . We purchased a boat on salvage so that we could learn how to fix/repair things that inevitably would breakdown. The boat was 23 feet. We stripped it and began working on it when our jobs would allow. Then illness struck me, then her, then the person who was going to paint the exterior of the boat. Meanwhile, the boat sat on a trailer untouched while we dealt with real life circumstances. In 2013. She passed unexpectedly in an auto accident. In early 2015 I slowly got back to working on the boat but life continues to throw wrenches into things. However, I am better than I have been in years and am back going as hard as I can to finish the refit that she and I started in 2006. Hopefully, I have Selah ready to go in the water by this spring and begin cruising 2020. I then hope to acquire the larger boat and go live the rest of my life in the Caribbean or where ever the Lord guides me. Our son just finished university and is beginning his life. It's my turn now and I intend to finish what we started, for me and for her memory. I'm saying all this, because we never know what life is going to give us. We move at our own pace. Mine is to be cautious as it is just me now but to move safely and forward. The main thing-- don't give up and keep moving. When a wall pops up, figure out how to go around it. Good sailing Momof3k with your hubby!!

 

[DaveJ]

When my wife and I decided to buy a sailboat, we didn't want to go too small, knowing we would replace it very quickly. We bought a Catalina 30 and learned to sail on it with minimal help. I have always been on the water, but with power boats. One thing I did before we went for our first sail was read Sailing for Dummies! This is a very good book for a novice sailor, with simple explanations and diagrams/pictures. YouTube is also a good source of info.
I think the best advice in previous posts is....Safety is #1.

Cheers
dj

 

[Mika1]

I agree with the safety and conservative part. For my first season with a cruiser I had a first reef in about half of the time. It was much safer and the kept the admiral happy. If she ain’t happy, you no longer have a boat...

Exactly - both on keeping the admiral happy and keeping the first reef in more often than not when starting out. I do/have done both. I'd never even been on a sailboat prior to the pre-purchase survey and sea trial of the Passage 42 I'm sitting on right now. I had, however, read the books for ASA 101 & 104, and self educated via different sites on the web and YouTube university. It's not that hard to grasp the points of sail and the physics from a 20,000 foot level and I honestly believe if a person can get their head wrapped around the concepts (some can't, no fault of their own, their brain just doesn't work that way unless they're hands-on), they can get on a boat and fine tune their understanding and get a feel for things as they go. No biggie as long as there's a focus on safety and not getting in over their head. Everybody learns differently. There is no "right" way. I guess that was my whole point, and new sailors should be encouraged no matter how they learn or which path they take to get there - as long as they don't risk life, limb, or other boaters along the way. Sailing WELL is much more difficult than just sailing, that's a given, and all this is just my opinion. I hope Mo3k gets the reassurance and encouragement they need, and any PERTINENT advice or answers gladly given.

 

[Mika1]

So the original post was asking about websites and videos and stuff - I dug up a few links I remember:

How to sail a sailboat in 3 easy steps (Keep things in perspective - it's not rocket science)
KUSailing (This is an excellent 4-video set from a classroom instruction)
NauticEd (This is a free online sailing course. Look NauticEd up on youtube as well)
American Sailing Association (Lots of good, quick videos in their "Sailing Made Easy" series)
Maryland School of Sailing (Good vids especially on docking and navigation)
Captain John's Skipper Tips (Good, quick videos on pretty much everything)

If this doesn't open up the rabbit hole and get you started, I don't know what will.

 

[Terry Cox]

Can anyone offer any help or guidance...????

My first sail boat was smaller than yours (H28), but size matters little here. Still a degree of apprehension, so I came across a seasoned sailor while walking the docks one day and I invited him aboard for a day sail. He was very happy to spend some time on the water and teach me some of the basics. I also spent a day with another sailor during a race where I tillered the boat while he and his son trimmed. After that I read lots of books and practiced what they had to offer. You can spend the money on an assortment of courses, but in the end a good set of kahonas will set you right.

A Power Squadron course (free) was a help as well as Chapman's Cruising book. Start out with a day sail, then an over nighter. After awhile, little different than riding a bike. Experience on the water will build the confidence over time.