Learning
Posted by Roadi1120@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 22 comments
co-worker was clearing space at his camp and was throwing out a 12ft sailboat, we have a camp on Lake Superior so I took it to learn on. ive sailed once with a college friend on a 35ft boat, and i did a couple years at a summer camp when I was young and we learned to sail small tea cup boats, otherwise I know nothing.
I have about 3 months before summer hits full swing here and I want to learn. is my best bet watching youtube? reach out to my local small club?
I know one other person with a hobbie cat that goes out a couple times a year, is that a better option?
I have an 18ft fishing boat so I know the area well, know the common wind conditions. once again looking to go from zero to putting around my bay having fun
yeet1wagon@reddit
I learned by watching a ton of videos, reading, and found a local club that does week long learn to sail courses with sunfish. Then I started messing around in a 23 Oday I found cheap. I probably don’t sail as efficiently as I could and won’t win a race, but I get where I want in a timely manner.
CleverBunnyThief@reddit
Check out The Canadian Yachting Association’s White Sail Manual, "Basic Sailing Skills". lt's specifically written for dinghies.
I read a version of this book when I first learnt to sail in a weekend and then went out and practiced a ton. Reading the book gave me a great head start.
You can order it from The Nautical Mind in Toronto.
https://www.nauticalmind.com/69571/basic-sailing-skills/
Roadi1120@reddit (OP)
Awesome I will look into that! I will definitely learn to roll the boat back over! Seems thats the biggest concern so far
CleverBunnyThief@reddit
It will happen at some point so it's better to be prepared as it can be a bit disorienting the first couple of times it happens, especially in cold water.
I did a White sail course and the club required that you be able to recover after capsizing before you were allowed to borrow a boat. So if you managed to get through the course without capsizing then you had to purposely capsize the boat and then right it to show you could do it. It could be a problem if you are not a good swimmer and/or are not strong enough to pull your self out of the water and back onto the boat.
Roadi1120@reddit (OP)
Very true! I remember learning how to flip a laser when I was a young teenage at a summer camp. Pain when we were small and light haha so I will definetly practice this in the water!
Lumpy-Sea-388@reddit
Wear your pfd!
Roadi1120@reddit (OP)
Always!
Sir-Realz@reddit
I taught myself on small lakes like 4-5 times then eventually worked up to open water, make sure you can right the boat if you flip it. Most 12ft boats you can/have to, practice it at least once. Bring the proper safety equipment to Lake M. Telling people what and whe. your doing and or bring a buddy is also a good practice.
Max2310@reddit
My father won an International 14 in a poker game when I ws 14, and we learnt to sail from scratch in a protected bay. We both later raced in a club, but we spent a lot of time tipping over before we figured it out.
IGHOTI907@reddit
Be careful: there's nothing more expensive than a free boat. Also: have fun!
warchild1313@reddit
In 2019 I traded for a 1978 Bayfield 28. I picked up a copy of sailing for dummies and cast off. Spent the next two years sailing the BC coast. Just go for it!
Waterlifer@reddit
I'm in MN and sail in Superior, Pepin, and other area lakes, send me a PM with your location if you want, maybe we can meet up.
12 sailboats, depends on the boat. If you have a Barnett Butterfly, well, those are high performance boats and you're going to get frustrated because you have to be really good to keep them from tipping over and sending you for a swim. If it's a more family oriented boat you'll be fine.
Have a plan in place if you go out and find that you can't make it go up wind, either a paddle or an alternative takeout spot or someone who can give you a tow.
Roadi1120@reddit (OP)
Im up in Canada, Algoma region. So quite a ways.
We do have the motorboat in the event i cant get back. Nice part is the wind is generally pushing towards our camp so Ill be pushed to beach before out to open water, neighbours all know me from trolling the drop off infront of camps.
I forget the name of the boat, but its not like a laser, deeper tub style???
Waterlifer@reddit
Those are usually more stable. Have fun, good luck.
Bigfops@reddit
Best way to learn is by doing. On a 12' boat you can't do much damage. I assume it's a centerboard dinghy so your biggest challenge is going to be righting it after you capsize. Watch a couple of videos on that, pick a calm day and practice that and the rest you can pick up by doing. Don't go out if it's over 10 kts at first is a good rule of thumb.
Roadi1120@reddit (OP)
Very valid, ill look into righting the boat! And thanks for the tip on the wind, I was really curious about what would be too much
Bluuphish@reddit
When righting the boat its usually best to have the bow pointed into the wind. That way the wind getting under the sails (eventually) will help lift the mast up out of the water. Smaller boats are easier obviously than people in larger boats.
w-sailing@reddit
I started with the NauticEd courses. I believe the basic sail trim is free and it’s a good way to get a feel before you get on the water
Roadi1120@reddit (OP)
Just signed up! Starting the first course today as theres nothing else going on. Thanks!
w-sailing@reddit
Awesome and you’re welcome! I’ve done 8 or 9 courses now and they are all great, depending on how much you’re trying to learn. The sail trim and small keelboat courses will give you plenty of info for being safe on the water
Mehfisto666@reddit
If you already have a boat and know how to read the weather, the sea and basic navigation just go out there and try. As the racer who sold me my first boat said "sailing is easy, it's sailing fast that's difficult"
Roadi1120@reddit (OP)
Haha just nerve racking until you do it I suppose! I will be out trying once the snow leaves