Just wanted to say hi.

[cyberpunx]

hi all
I'm new to this forum some great stuff on here if anyone with good patience is here i am looking for someone willing to help me learn some of the things i need to learn about sailing ive been out a few times and thinking of buying my first boat.(small cuddy) 16ft.
ive been told this is one of the best forums to view and ask for help so here it is HELP. !! what sort of info i am looking for is good websites that give good sound advice on sailing all types of sailing. Ive done some very basic sailing (under wind) and also some fishing sailing( using o/b motor) but not enough to class myself as even a novice so what courses or things should i be going for . I know you must have a VHF license to use these and anything else you think is a good place to start. i would really appreciate your help.
I'm an Electrician./ Electronic engineer so if you need any electrical/Electronic advice / Fixing then i will help any forum readers in that way to put my knowledge to use im a decent guy wife 2 kids so if i can help anyone else i will.
dont want to rabble on any help really appreciated.
thanks john.

 

[Neddie_Seagoon]

Welcome.

16ft Cuddy - motor or sail? This is place for saily help, next forum down is for moby help. Ask what you like, someone will know the answer.

For saily start look at RYA Competent Crew course, I know it says "crew" but you will learn how boat works and how to operate it _safely_. I did it, bought 27' yacht and had fun. Learnt more as I went along.

For mobo stuff ask in next forum down

 

[Talbot]

quick word of advice. multiple postings of the same thing are frowned on.

Its an error we all make when starting so dont worry about it.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Best way to learn is to do it. Is there a local sailing club you can join? If so, good chance you'll be able to get opportunities to crew with other members, who will -generally - be delighted to help you grasp the basics. Check out, also, the Cruising Association's crewing service.

Oh, and welcome aboard.

 

[Searush]

No info in your bio as to location/ cruising area etc. This is a BIG forum, there will be friendly help near where you live/ plan to sail. As others have said, chat to other boat owners on the beach/ hard, if sailing, join a sailing club, do a bit of crewing to gain experience.

Good luck, take care & have fun. You will make mistakes, we all do! Just make sure you learn from them!

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
Is there a local sailing club you can join? If so, good chance you'll be able to get opportunities to crew with other members, who will -generally - be delighted to help you grasp the basics.

[/ QUOTE ]

I always found the prospect of walking into, and joining, a sailing club quite daunting - dont know why, but I would drive up, watch for a while, then drive off.

Perhaps it was my experience of the sailing clique in Abersoch, which I always felt was a bit up its' own arse, along with the Polytechnic club where, if you werent much good, you werent much use.

Doing a course means you meet other people at the same level, you are there to be taught, and much more gets compacted into a short space of time.

I'm also sure that there would be offers from local forum members, who we kind of know, (some very well), even if we've never met them.

 

[snowleopard]

A guy living down the road from here asked just the same question on this forum a couple of years ago. I spent a bit of time with him advising him on setting up the boat and went along on his first trip to give him a bit of confidence and he took it from there. I'm sure there will be someone who could do the same for you (of course we need to know where you live and/or plan to sail).