sailing lessons?

[JMetzner]

OK, with the prospect of actually COMPLETING my Weekender on the horizon, I now need to start thinking about sailing it. I was on sailboats a few times as a teenager (long, long ago) but I didn't help sail them. I've been doing a bit of reading on the subject. The basics seem pretty straightforward. Obviously, I plan on being conservative at first when choosing my days to sail (I won't go out in a big blow or when thunderstorms are likely) and I won't be hiking out over the rails to get all the speed I can. I'll have all the usual safety equipment, PFD's and such. I'll be sailing on smallish lakes at first until I build some confidence.

So the question to the group is: Is it necessary (or a good idea even) to have some sailing lessons before launching the Weekender?

BTW, there isn't any sail training locally. Homer, 400+ miles away is the closest, or spending a week down in Seattle would be more likely.

Thanks,

--John M.

Fairbanks, AK.

[John Teetsel]

Lessons aren't a bad idea, but if you've sailed before, it will come back to you.

Here's an alternative. Virtual Sailor.

A couple of years ago this program was free. It's now $25 US, but it's really quite a good simulator. There are hundreds of different boats (even a fleet of submarines) plus scenery from all over the world. Venice, New York, North Sea, Florida, etc.

Try the free demo. Click on "Downloads" on the left side of the screen.

http://www.hangsim.com/vs/index.php

[Jim Stumpf]

I suggest a safe boat course that can ussually be found for free at local high schools or places that offer adult continuing education. Here in Ohio DNR, Power Squadron and Coast guard Aux all offer classes. They all cover safe boating and rules of the road.

Find a friend that has sailed to go out with you once or twice just for the piece of mind, begining sailing isn't rocket science you'll catch on, reading it doesn't make much sense untill you have tried it then reread it it will make more sense. Then you will have a life time to keep learning the details.

Jim

[Mike Pennington]

John,

As soon as Harding Lake opens up, you can sail my Vacationer with her stock sized sails. You will pick up the bascis real fast.

Rule number one, once your finally out on the watter, duck when the boom crosses over or get a hard hat :wink:

Also Harding has a very shallow side to the lake, Mark's side of the lake as a matter of fact. The boat launch at the park, not far away, is great and even though there is a channel, I often just sail in and out because the wind is just right for it most of the time. The wind pattern is very predictable during good weather.

Your boat is light enough that you will be able to practice on light aired days. Before you know it the military fly boys will be swooping down to get a good look at your well handled little ship.

The learning curve is very fast with our boats, it generally only takes one scare to impress upon a novice that you can't do that. So that takes care of the don'ts right away. The rest is all fun

[Nora Lee+]

Learn by the seat of your pants, heck if you built her, you can surely sail her!

Rule # 2 if you get in winds too much for you, let go of all lines and LUFF, this virtually puts the brakes on. Let the sail out and spill wind and things will go a lot slower.

I have found that the boat will tell you what to do...it is a living breathing entity...that is why we name them!

[Frank Hagan]

I learned to sail in my Weekender, but I did have my brother in law along the first day to give me pointers.

They are easy to sail, although I did have a few close calls ... tended to drift too close to boats in their slips until I learned how to maintain my distance.

But its all fun, and the Weekender is a very forgiving boat.

[Nora Lee+]

I learned to sail on the Jersey Shore ( as opposed to the beach which is NC term) on the Navesink River.

The girl across the street used her grandfathers ugly boat with about 500 ft of line, tied to the mast, she stood in knee deep water, shouting orders thru a megaphone, when you got in trouble, she would pull you in.

We called the boat 'Granpa's Ugly Boat', i found out that the boat was actually a Moth Boat, which was designed here in Elizabeth City, NC by a local man and a yachtsman from Atlantic City, NJ. There are Moth Boat Fllets up and down the east coast. The 3rd week in Sept is the Annual Moth Boat Regatta which crowns the World Champion! BTW the plans for the Moth are available from the Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City for $25.00. An easy boat to build and a real fun boat to sail. Wider than a sunfish, but shorter...fast little buggers. Sloop rig!