Tomorrow I complete a deal on a well kept 1980 Hunter 25 and I have never salied in my life. Turning 50 does something to a man. I hope it is as soul-soothing and inviting as it looks. May the force be with me.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
D
Dan Linebarger
CONGRATS
CONGRATS...I bought a 1975 Hunter 25 last year and had never sailed before either...by the end of the summer I could sail her fine. Go slow and be carefull...At first I had a hard time getting used to the boat "tilting" under sail. Anything past 20 degrees and I would panic....now I can hold her at a steady 25 degree list without a sweat. When you start out just use the Main and learn how she handles. Dont go out in a heavy wind until you gain confidence. After then put up the Jib and go for it...if it starts to list to much for you list point her into the wind or let out the line and let the jib out that will immediately right the boat. But worry not it is nest to impossible to tip her no matter how much you abuse it....you stomach will just be in your throat! GOOD LUCK!!!
CONGRATS...I bought a 1975 Hunter 25 last year and had never sailed before either...by the end of the summer I could sail her fine. Go slow and be carefull...At first I had a hard time getting used to the boat "tilting" under sail. Anything past 20 degrees and I would panic....now I can hold her at a steady 25 degree list without a sweat. When you start out just use the Main and learn how she handles. Dont go out in a heavy wind until you gain confidence. After then put up the Jib and go for it...if it starts to list to much for you list point her into the wind or let out the line and let the jib out that will immediately right the boat. But worry not it is nest to impossible to tip her no matter how much you abuse it....you stomach will just be in your throat! GOOD LUCK!!!
M
Michael
Fair winds amd trailing seas!!
Welcome to the world of sailing. You'll find it a close knit communitya nd one willing to advise you in any endeavor. Just beware of the Two-foot-itis. It struck me so bad last year I went through 2 boats in 6 months! Michael S/V Second Wind
Welcome to the world of sailing. You'll find it a close knit communitya nd one willing to advise you in any endeavor. Just beware of the Two-foot-itis. It struck me so bad last year I went through 2 boats in 6 months! Michael S/V Second Wind
R
Ray Bowles
Dennis, If the boat and wind are too much then
reduce the amount of canvas. Best early lesson. Welcome to the sport. Ray S/V Speedy
reduce the amount of canvas. Best early lesson. Welcome to the sport. Ray S/V Speedy
R
RREgge
Welcome
We started out 3 years ago with a 376 and everyone is right you can do it. Be caeful, take her out a few time without raising the sails to get a feel for how she responds to the helm, practice turning, and pretend to tack and enjoy. After that go under main alone, then jib, then both. Reef early and ofter, especially when you begin. If you are uncomfortable, reef until you gain confidence. Do you know any sailors, ask them to go along the first few times. Take a boater saftey class Have fun. Russell S/V Allie Kat
We started out 3 years ago with a 376 and everyone is right you can do it. Be caeful, take her out a few time without raising the sails to get a feel for how she responds to the helm, practice turning, and pretend to tack and enjoy. After that go under main alone, then jib, then both. Reef early and ofter, especially when you begin. If you are uncomfortable, reef until you gain confidence. Do you know any sailors, ask them to go along the first few times. Take a boater saftey class Have fun. Russell S/V Allie Kat
R
Reinhold Fussle
Go for it!
There is something about this big round number"50". I know exactly what you mean. After I turned 50 and realized that maybe I wasn't going to live forever and there are only a limited number of summers left, thats when I got my first sailboat. Don't worry you will get the hang of it very soon. Sailing is a lot of FUN. You will also find a lot of new friends. Sailors are a friendly fun loving group of people.
There is something about this big round number"50". I know exactly what you mean. After I turned 50 and realized that maybe I wasn't going to live forever and there are only a limited number of summers left, thats when I got my first sailboat. Don't worry you will get the hang of it very soon. Sailing is a lot of FUN. You will also find a lot of new friends. Sailors are a friendly fun loving group of people.
B
Bill
Advice
Congratulations. Let me tell you how I got my Catalina 22 years ago. The owner bought it at a boat show and had never sailed before. He took it out the first time , along with his wife and there was no wind and they sat around. Next time they went out and the same thing. Bored to death. The next time he waited for some wind. He told me around 25 mph. Wanted to make sure he had some wind so they wouldn't be bored. They weren't. Sold the boat to me at a great discount. The moral of this story is to choose your weather carefully and you will find sailing relaxing. AS you get more experience, you can also experience thrills and excitement. This is all part of sailing. Enjoy and don't forget to ask questions and go for ride alongs, or better yet, invite experienced sailors to sail with you. Enjoy your new boat and try to take each problem as an opportunity to learn something new. If there is no wind and it is hot , just go swimming, put up a shade canopy and enjoy doing as little as possible.
Congratulations. Let me tell you how I got my Catalina 22 years ago. The owner bought it at a boat show and had never sailed before. He took it out the first time , along with his wife and there was no wind and they sat around. Next time they went out and the same thing. Bored to death. The next time he waited for some wind. He told me around 25 mph. Wanted to make sure he had some wind so they wouldn't be bored. They weren't. Sold the boat to me at a great discount. The moral of this story is to choose your weather carefully and you will find sailing relaxing. AS you get more experience, you can also experience thrills and excitement. This is all part of sailing. Enjoy and don't forget to ask questions and go for ride alongs, or better yet, invite experienced sailors to sail with you. Enjoy your new boat and try to take each problem as an opportunity to learn something new. If there is no wind and it is hot , just go swimming, put up a shade canopy and enjoy doing as little as possible.
S
Steve Hall
Hunter 25 - Great first boat!
Dennis, Great first boat for you. I bought my first boat in Novemeber, a 1977 Hunter 25, and have learned so much in just a few months. She will handle easy and you will gain confidence quickly. I agree with the others too, I was in the Navy for 8 years and still didn't have good safety boating skills. I recommend that you call the Coast Guard Auxiliary, or the US Power Squadron and take some safety classes. We joined the Auxiliary and have taken many interesting and informative classes, and have learned a lot from safety patrols that the Auxiliary performs. Fair winds and smooth sailing.... Steve S/V Helen Highwater
Dennis, Great first boat for you. I bought my first boat in Novemeber, a 1977 Hunter 25, and have learned so much in just a few months. She will handle easy and you will gain confidence quickly. I agree with the others too, I was in the Navy for 8 years and still didn't have good safety boating skills. I recommend that you call the Coast Guard Auxiliary, or the US Power Squadron and take some safety classes. We joined the Auxiliary and have taken many interesting and informative classes, and have learned a lot from safety patrols that the Auxiliary performs. Fair winds and smooth sailing.... Steve S/V Helen Highwater
D
Dick
You the man!
Did you buy the boat that has been in the Register for the last week or so? Drop me a note and we could get together. Chocho41@aol.com
Did you buy the boat that has been in the Register for the last week or so? Drop me a note and we could get together. Chocho41@aol.com
F
Frank / MD / H260
50 and not slowing down
Dennis, I did the same thing last year buying a H260. It's a blast. One day you can go out and have a nice quiet sail, enjoying the breeze and the sun... The next time out you'll be rating the ride against the nastyist ride you've ever have at Bush Gardens... And the best thing is, is that you always have the choice of sailing, or watching a basseball game if it's nasty out. You won't regret it.
Dennis, I did the same thing last year buying a H260. It's a blast. One day you can go out and have a nice quiet sail, enjoying the breeze and the sun... The next time out you'll be rating the ride against the nastyist ride you've ever have at Bush Gardens... And the best thing is, is that you always have the choice of sailing, or watching a basseball game if it's nasty out. You won't regret it.
T
Toomas
Give it a go
Just buy it and let go. That's what I did some years ago and I'm still going.(57) In my experience: a man can't win over the weather and the sea. If the wind or the sea is too heavy to get through - go with it, to another place - this will givee you a totally different experience. Use the elements as your servants to get a lovely sailing experience. As for now, I feel that I've reached my goal as soon as I've left the harbour. And if nature calls (gusty winds and heavy water) I'll be back in a short while, and that's excellent. I don't want to risk my life seeking someone elses thrill. So, just let loose and enjoy. And return when it's not a pleasure - and feel fine. Welcome in the fleet Toomas
Just buy it and let go. That's what I did some years ago and I'm still going.(57) In my experience: a man can't win over the weather and the sea. If the wind or the sea is too heavy to get through - go with it, to another place - this will givee you a totally different experience. Use the elements as your servants to get a lovely sailing experience. As for now, I feel that I've reached my goal as soon as I've left the harbour. And if nature calls (gusty winds and heavy water) I'll be back in a short while, and that's excellent. I don't want to risk my life seeking someone elses thrill. So, just let loose and enjoy. And return when it's not a pleasure - and feel fine. Welcome in the fleet Toomas
S
Scott Mathey
Welcome to the adventure.
Learning can be as fun as serious sailing. Observational skills will become a part of sailing fun and comfort. Comfort meaning, reef early. start out on mild to fair winds and sail under reefed main only to learn sail trim and how the boat handles. Use the jib sail only on light wind days until you are comfortable with healing over. A roller furling was one of the best investments for my boat. If you dont have a roller furling rig up a down haul for the jib sail so you can lower the sail from the cock pit. I enjoyed a few of the books about sailing and found the advice helpfull. Have a fun and safe time.
Learning can be as fun as serious sailing. Observational skills will become a part of sailing fun and comfort. Comfort meaning, reef early. start out on mild to fair winds and sail under reefed main only to learn sail trim and how the boat handles. Use the jib sail only on light wind days until you are comfortable with healing over. A roller furling was one of the best investments for my boat. If you dont have a roller furling rig up a down haul for the jib sail so you can lower the sail from the cock pit. I enjoyed a few of the books about sailing and found the advice helpfull. Have a fun and safe time.
R
R DEUTSCH
sailing
I ghanged from power to sail by buying a brand new 450 in 1999 and it was great, but my girlfriend didnt like it, so back to power and I was 72
I ghanged from power to sail by buying a brand new 450 in 1999 and it was great, but my girlfriend didnt like it, so back to power and I was 72
J
Jim Loats
I guess you got us all to chime in!!
Congrats. I bet you'll love sailing. I honor you for taking the gamble!! My favorite advice to new sailors is to be a copy-cat. Look at the boats around you and try to copy their heading, the way they are setting their sails, everything. (Especially if they are going faster than you!) Then make adjustments to see if your boat will go a little faster if you change this or that little thing. By copying, you get to "read" the results of the judgements that other sailors are making in response to the same wind you are sailing in. If those sailors know what they are doing, your boat and you will reap the benefits. If they don't, you'll soon learn things that they don't know. Also, there is one guy on my little pond who is pretty good at reading the sky when a storm is coming. He always makes it back to the marina just before the hard blow begins. (Of course, I am still out there trying to squeeze one more tack before we head in and I pay the price.) Try to find that guy in your area and copy his actions too. Enjoy! Jim s/v Grizzly Bear
Congrats. I bet you'll love sailing. I honor you for taking the gamble!! My favorite advice to new sailors is to be a copy-cat. Look at the boats around you and try to copy their heading, the way they are setting their sails, everything. (Especially if they are going faster than you!) Then make adjustments to see if your boat will go a little faster if you change this or that little thing. By copying, you get to "read" the results of the judgements that other sailors are making in response to the same wind you are sailing in. If those sailors know what they are doing, your boat and you will reap the benefits. If they don't, you'll soon learn things that they don't know. Also, there is one guy on my little pond who is pretty good at reading the sky when a storm is coming. He always makes it back to the marina just before the hard blow begins. (Of course, I am still out there trying to squeeze one more tack before we head in and I pay the price.) Try to find that guy in your area and copy his actions too. Enjoy! Jim s/v Grizzly Bear
congratulations,
Nearly 30 years ago a friend loaned me a board boat, ie one you sit on as opposed to in, he gave me 3 big books and told me to make sure I read and understood everything before getting the boat wet, I studied and read and mostly got really confused , it occured to me that if I had tried to learn to ride a bicycle by reading a book I would have still been reading, so I put the boat in the water, giving no thought to wind conditions, took off like a shot, and almost turned it when the one thing I had read came back to me, when in doubt let it out, I tell this to everyone I talk to that is new to sailing to me it is the most single important thing to remember, good luck have fun , 50 doesnt hurt a bit, Mike Bacome
Nearly 30 years ago a friend loaned me a board boat, ie one you sit on as opposed to in, he gave me 3 big books and told me to make sure I read and understood everything before getting the boat wet, I studied and read and mostly got really confused , it occured to me that if I had tried to learn to ride a bicycle by reading a book I would have still been reading, so I put the boat in the water, giving no thought to wind conditions, took off like a shot, and almost turned it when the one thing I had read came back to me, when in doubt let it out, I tell this to everyone I talk to that is new to sailing to me it is the most single important thing to remember, good luck have fun , 50 doesnt hurt a bit, Mike Bacome
H
Heath Green
Welcome Dennis - Learning the Art of Sailing
I admire your adventurous move, well done! You'll love it. If you want a great intro. to sailing book check this out: The Complete Sailor by David Seidman (McGraw-Hill 1994). It's very friendly and informative. I've almost memorized it. Above all, have fun with your boat.
I admire your adventurous move, well done! You'll love it. If you want a great intro. to sailing book check this out: The Complete Sailor by David Seidman (McGraw-Hill 1994). It's very friendly and informative. I've almost memorized it. Above all, have fun with your boat.
E
Edward Smith
Join A Sailing Club or Yacht Club
Also look at BOATUS, West Marine, American Sailing Association, Etc for instruction and reference material, insurance and assistance. Those are a few and of course the Coast Guard Auxillary for training and safety. Make sure you understand the rules of the road and that there are many who do not and don't care such as jet skiers and saturday beer boaters. Learn lines, knots and points of sail. Learn how to rescue someone and how to be rescued. A good sailor is worth his salt. Fair Winds and Following Seas. As for being 50, I always remamber what the 60 year old was told when he said, "I'll be 64 when I graduate from College", and the answer was "And how old will you be if you don't go to college". It is amazing how much healthier it is to be a Sailor.
Also look at BOATUS, West Marine, American Sailing Association, Etc for instruction and reference material, insurance and assistance. Those are a few and of course the Coast Guard Auxillary for training and safety. Make sure you understand the rules of the road and that there are many who do not and don't care such as jet skiers and saturday beer boaters. Learn lines, knots and points of sail. Learn how to rescue someone and how to be rescued. A good sailor is worth his salt. Fair Winds and Following Seas. As for being 50, I always remamber what the 60 year old was told when he said, "I'll be 64 when I graduate from College", and the answer was "And how old will you be if you don't go to college". It is amazing how much healthier it is to be a Sailor.
B
Bob b
Braver Than I
hi-I'm 60 this wek,just back from a 5 day course out of Tortola-used 26 ft Colgates.I had never sailed before.i'mlooking at the 140 or 146 for a starter boat,assuming that anything of 25 or so really requires 2to sail-until one really knows what one is doing.Am i being overcautious or are you displaying more bravado than judgment? or willyou be sailing with someone more experienced?
hi-I'm 60 this wek,just back from a 5 day course out of Tortola-used 26 ft Colgates.I had never sailed before.i'mlooking at the 140 or 146 for a starter boat,assuming that anything of 25 or so really requires 2to sail-until one really knows what one is doing.Am i being overcautious or are you displaying more bravado than judgment? or willyou be sailing with someone more experienced?
Bob colgate,
If you just finished a 5 day course you should have a good handle on the basics, determine what you want to do with the boat, if your main concern is launch and retrieving, you may not want a larger boat right now, but lots of people here launch boats in 23 to 26 ft range, dont go but a new daysailor if you intend to over nite, decide what you want to do and consider a slip or mooring, hope this helps , it is no harder to sail a larger boat, there is lots on this in the archives, not sure what it may be under but look around and read, also find a local club, good luck Mike
If you just finished a 5 day course you should have a good handle on the basics, determine what you want to do with the boat, if your main concern is launch and retrieving, you may not want a larger boat right now, but lots of people here launch boats in 23 to 26 ft range, dont go but a new daysailor if you intend to over nite, decide what you want to do and consider a slip or mooring, hope this helps , it is no harder to sail a larger boat, there is lots on this in the archives, not sure what it may be under but look around and read, also find a local club, good luck Mike
W
Wendy
I am doing it too
Hi Dennis, I bought a 1976 Hunter 25 last July. I have wanted a sailboat all of my life. I have just turned 39. I didn't know how to sail either. Some bits of advice. Don't buy sailing videos. I did that (bought 5) and they only confuse you. Read sailing books to get down the sailors lingo, which you need because sailors tend to use it all of the time. The main thing is to get someone who knows how to sail to take you out. I finally took my boat out this past Saturday to get it from the boat yard to the dock. It took 3.5 hours and the wind was blowing 15-20. Then when we got back to the dock we switched boats and took out a 32 footer. I had 6.5 hours in and learned more in one day than I learned from all of the books and the videos. I still have a long way to go but at least now I know how to tack. Also, I go to these sights a lot to get things that I need. Sailnet and Ebay. You can also take an on-line boat course at BoatUS. Good luck and Happy Sailing. I hope it is everything you ever dreamed that it would be. It is for me so far. Wendy
Hi Dennis, I bought a 1976 Hunter 25 last July. I have wanted a sailboat all of my life. I have just turned 39. I didn't know how to sail either. Some bits of advice. Don't buy sailing videos. I did that (bought 5) and they only confuse you. Read sailing books to get down the sailors lingo, which you need because sailors tend to use it all of the time. The main thing is to get someone who knows how to sail to take you out. I finally took my boat out this past Saturday to get it from the boat yard to the dock. It took 3.5 hours and the wind was blowing 15-20. Then when we got back to the dock we switched boats and took out a 32 footer. I had 6.5 hours in and learned more in one day than I learned from all of the books and the videos. I still have a long way to go but at least now I know how to tack. Also, I go to these sights a lot to get things that I need. Sailnet and Ebay. You can also take an on-line boat course at BoatUS. Good luck and Happy Sailing. I hope it is everything you ever dreamed that it would be. It is for me so far. Wendy
- Status
- Not open for further replies.