90 people want to do this.

learn to sail a sailboat

Share this goal with others

 

Get rewarded for your shopping skills on Shop for Fun

Shop for Fun is an online fashion game where you build a dream wardrobe and create outfits to win Amazon gift certificates.

Sponsored Links

Fair Wind Sailing School

www.fairwindsailing.com/     Learn to Charter Your Own Yacht Virgin Islands, Bahama, Great Lakes

People doing this

See everyone

Recent activity

xoxanniiee 5 days ago


Artemis 4 weeks ago


cinanina 1 month ago


mmmille2 2 months ago


Tomo210 2 months ago


veerkhan123songs and study

i like this site , 3 months ago


veerkhan123songs and study

i like this site , 3 months ago


veerkhan123 3 months ago


dana1004 4 months ago


Tim Otte

Tim Otte 5 months ago


Marisa Watkins 5 months ago


MusicAngel13 5 months ago


user43384 5 months ago


jessicambarnes 6 months ago


cyanidesugar 7 months ago


ilovekaitlynprescott 7 months ago


Mark Wayt 7 months ago


zieedoo 8 months ago


wipfeln

wipfelnFind sailing success in the right place and community

In a few years, I’ve gone from someone with no sailing experience (and little boating experience, aside from canoeing), to a sailor comfortable in command of small craft in challenging conditions, with experience at the helm and all about the decks in coastal cruising, and even crewing during an ocean crossing race from San Francisco to Hawaii.

When I lived in a place far from the ocean (and any significant sailing community), I knew I wanted to sail; but it didn’t happen for me until I moved to a city located on a bay with an extremely vibrant and active sailing scene.

Then I headed down to the marina, where I happened to find what I consider to be the best sailing resource in the world: one that’s worth travelling far to participate in. Cal-Sailing Club is located on the water in Berkeley, California. It’s a sailing cooperative, which means members perform all administrative work collectively. It also means that it costs about $20/month and two hours of work to participate in sailing lessons. That’s it, $20/month for the opportunity to take free lessons, borrow equipment, learn windsurfing and water safety, and tap into a network of helpful, skilled and experienced sailors.

If you can’t come to Berkeley to sail at Cal-Sailing Club, that’s okay. You can still find a way to get your foot onto a boat. It’s about networking, finding something you can offer as crew on a boat. Start by going to where the boats are. Talk to people. Ask if they know anyone who would like to take people out for a sail (if you’re willing to try racing, this will be easier). Remember to bring delicious food for everyone aboard. Remember to wear warm, synthetic clothing and non-marking boating shoes (basically, check a Web site for a list of gear you need to provide yourself).

The trick with sailing is that for those who love sailing, and who know starboard from port, and who can access the docks, finding a spot as crew on a boat isn’t hard. Lots of boats need crew. Some of them just need people to follow directions and move from one side of the boat to the other in a race. Other boats need someone to help stand watch on long cruises. Some boats just need friendly faces and good company.

When you’re sailing on a boat that is unknown to you, keep your own safety in mind. Keep a lookout for sea-worthiness. Research the boat and the skipper. Ask questions. The most important resource is a sailing club or a yacht club. Join one! They’re amazing, welcoming places, all in all; because a successful sailor is a hospitable and patient person.

Essentially, to learn to sail, a person needs to go to the water, and look for boats. It makes sense for motivated people to come to Berkeley, California for an intensive season or week or two of introduction to sailing, to get an idea of the type of sailing to pursue (Racing? Lake sailing? Ocean cruising?), and equipment that is needed for various conditions.

Get out for your first sail. Don’t talk yourself out of it; if you’re one of us born sailors, every time you go out will offer some lift to your mood, or exhilarating moment. Welcome to my favorite pastime! 8 months ago


wipfeln 8 months ago


UB3UILLB3ME 8 months ago


2015darling 9 months ago


Carlie 9 months ago


EmmyDoo 9 months ago


jenjen4218 10 months ago


user29311 10 months ago


user25981 10 months ago


Joseph Randazzo 11 months ago


See more:   Entries  |  How I Did It Entries


 

I want to:
43 Things Login