When it comes to sailing, there are all kinds of things to learn how to do. How you go about learning will depend on your particular style. For example, I am not patient enough to take classes, and have always relied more on the written word and on-the-water trial and error than on more formal modes of instruction. Here are examples of ways you can acquire the skills you feel you need:
Take courses.
Community colleges, marine chandleries, Coast Guard Auxiliary, boat shows, and a number of other enterprises offer seminars, workshops, and courses on a variety of topics related to cruising. If you learn best in a classroom or group environment, check out resources in your area.
Get one-on-one instruction.
Hire a sailing instructor. Look over the shoulder of a diesel mechanic. Talk to a sail maker. If you learn best through individual instruction and consultation, there should be any number of experts available that you can hire, exchange services with, or otherwise remunerate in return for instruction on a particular topic. Read everything you can get your hands on. Some people learn best through the written word. There are scads of books out there about every topic pertinent to cruising, so if you enjoy learning by reading, there is plenty of resource material available. Check out FineSailing.com for endless sources of information.
Learn on the water.
There are those who learn best by doing. Boat handling skills in particular are probably best mastered in situations. Which leads me to the next 'preparing to prepare' topic.
Getting Out on the Water
Find ways to get yourself and your partner onto the water, either separately or together. No matter how much you learn from books and courses, on-the-water experience is a great way to really solidify your skills. This will also help you decide if being on the water is worthy trying as a lifestyle.
Go with friends.
If you have friends with boats, go out with them. If you don't have a boat yourself, this will give you time on the water. If you do have a boat, this will expose you to different boat characteristics and equipment.
Charter a boat in your home waters.
If you are within easy reach of a body of water, charter a boat of the type or types that you are considering cruising. Vary the amount of time, the kind of boat, and the nature of the weather that you go out in. Charter a boat in faraway waters. Consider taking boating vacations in other parts of the world. Besides exposing you to different types of boats, this will put you into different environments and weather patterns.
Participate on a racing crew.
If you live in an area with an active racing community, either or both of you can join a crew (I question whether you and your spouse would want to be on the same crew, but that's up to you!).
Many coastal cities and town have 'Beer Can' races during the season that are a little bit more laid back and convivial than the mainstream racing events; these are best to participate in if you don't want to be a blood-n-guts racing competitor.
Copyright (c) 2004 Kerry S. Mason
About The Author
Kerry S. Mason is the webmaster for FineSailing.com, the Internet's #1 resource for sailors, boaters, fishermen and anyone who enjoys the water. Be sure to visit his entire archive of articles at... http://www.finesailing.com/articles/.
Today, Norm Goldman Editor of Sketchandtravel.com, is pleased to have... Read More
The results are in for 2004. The number of people... Read More
Inflatable boats such as inflatable kayaks, inflatable catamarans, and inflatable... Read More
Antarctica is one of the great unexplored areas of the... Read More
The world is blessed with wonderful beautiful sandy tropical beaches.... Read More
Just think of it, the world of opulence and leisure:... Read More
Kids and vacation ? trying to find the perfect option... Read More
We were on the Radiance of the Seas for the... Read More
The magnificent Caribbean Princess ship is the new queen of... Read More
Radisson cruises come under the flagship of six star luxury... Read More
Thinking you could use an escape from the wintertime blahs,... Read More
First-time cruisers sometimes confuse about choosing the destination for neither... Read More
So, you are contemplating a European cruise. You are looking... Read More
Experiencing a Hawaii cruise is a dream come true for... Read More
A great addition to cleaning boats in a marina will... Read More
Early summertime is the time of year, when boat owners... Read More
Exploring Europe can be such a unique experience with a... Read More
Over 72 million Americans participated in recreational boating in 2003... Read More
These areas, like any other car engine and compartment that... Read More
Swimming is noted in many of the classics as relating... Read More
Alaska is one of the world's great cruise destinations, particularly... Read More
Many cruise ships today have standard cabins of similar size... Read More
SAILING ITINERARIES IN GREECE - A PROPOSAL Bellow you may... Read More
A classic Mediterranean cruise visits major port cities located on... Read More
There, you have just got a boat. A nice new... Read More
Comprising of around 50 islands (750 if you count the... Read More
A great cruise is much more than a journey. Blending... Read More
Why is it, that when you are looking to buy... Read More
Wanted! Adventurous guests looking for a new experience on a... Read More
Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of driving,... Read More
1. If you're 55 or older, you can get senior... Read More
If you own a boat maintenance business you need to... Read More
Some vacations are just more fun than others!There will be... Read More
A Mediterranean cruise is without doubt the most varied type... Read More
Alaska is one of the world's great cruise destinations, particularly... Read More
Washing SailsOften you will see a beautiful sail boat with... Read More
If you're the "outdoorsy" type, prefer to work on a... Read More
High Speed boat-car, Hydrofoil. Hey slow down so we can... Read More
You can watch movies about it, you can hear about... Read More
In May my husband and I took a wonderful steamboat... Read More
A classic Mediterranean cruise visits major port cities located on... Read More
Who says FEMA is not doing their job. They just... Read More
Docks needs to be routinely pressure washed or they become... Read More
As a boat owner you know that washing the boat... Read More
Determining Oxidation Levels on Your Yacht and how to deal... Read More
Imagine a cruise line where choices include ships with golf... Read More
New Zealand is a country guaranteed to surprise. Emerald green... Read More
Some Taiwan scientists have figured out a way to reduce... Read More
Today, Norm Goldman Editor of Sketchandtravel.com, is pleased to have... Read More
The best advice is to be informed about cabins and... Read More
Every cruise vacation offers passengers a luxurious cruising experience. Some... Read More
With so many honeymoon cruise packages to choose from, it... Read More
August 7, 2005 -- Taking a cruise is now one... Read More
Alaska is a place to experience not merely to visit... Read More
Two boys from South Carolina made headlines a few weeks... Read More
Sometimes it can be difficult to round up the old... Read More
If you are looking for affordable weekend getaways, romantic cruises... Read More
Cruises are one of the best ways to unwind and... Read More
Many cruise ships today have standard cabins of similar size... Read More
As anyone who's ever bought a used car knows, you... Read More
Cruises are a fun opportunity to dress up and look... Read More
History, wine, serene beauty, dramatic people and stunning views -... Read More
If you find your boat with gray and weathered teak,... Read More
When it comes to sailing, there are all kinds of... Read More
A great cruise is much more than a journey. Blending... Read More
Family Cruise: Happy Times you will not forgetA family cruise... Read More
Cruising & Sailing |