Hi all!
First, I wanted to share what a great forum you have here. I have been reading some old posts, and its excellent to see how helpful you are to your fellow sailing enthusiasts! I'm hoping that some of that kindness will be extended to a newbie as well!
I am interested in learning about sailing. I live in SE Minnesota - the land of 10,000 lakes. So I figure, despite the short summers, that I'd like to get out on the water and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.
I am specifically interested in learning on a Sunfish. I work full-time & am also a student, so I don't have a lot of free time to keep up a larger boat. I really just want to get out on the water & have some fun - not looking for a more strenuous, athletic experience (that a Laser would provide). Plus it's also just me: I'm a single guy, so it's likely I'll be out there alone or perhaps with one additional person with me from time to time, so I want a boat I can manage alone. I don't yet have a Sunfish, but I am looking to get a used one for the summer (I see there are a few on the forum here & several on Craigslist that I plan to check out).
Now that I've gotten the background information out of the way, I was hoping the forum audience could help me with some questions:
(1) I've been sailing on a boat a few times, though I'm definitely a beginner. Would you recommend that I take some classes to learn how to sail? Or, instead, read the Sunfish Bible (that so many have raved about) & employ a 'trial and error' method to just get out there and learn on my own.
(2) I've considered classes, but locally here in Minnesota most of the classes are ASA-related and focused more on keelboats at the introductory level. Would you consider that a good way to learn the basics? Or overkill given my intent to sail Sunfish rather than larger craft? (Note - Maybe in time I'll get there, but that's not my end goal currently)
(3) If classes aren't necessary but some training/coaching is recommended, do you have any contacts in SE Minnesota that I could contact to work with to learn the basics of sailing (ideally on a Sunfish)? I'm willing to pay for the time, of course, but I would appreciate any help/direction anyone could provide.
Thank you again in advance for your help!
jsmith230
[email protected]
First, I wanted to share what a great forum you have here. I have been reading some old posts, and its excellent to see how helpful you are to your fellow sailing enthusiasts! I'm hoping that some of that kindness will be extended to a newbie as well!
I am interested in learning about sailing. I live in SE Minnesota - the land of 10,000 lakes. So I figure, despite the short summers, that I'd like to get out on the water and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.
I am specifically interested in learning on a Sunfish. I work full-time & am also a student, so I don't have a lot of free time to keep up a larger boat. I really just want to get out on the water & have some fun - not looking for a more strenuous, athletic experience (that a Laser would provide). Plus it's also just me: I'm a single guy, so it's likely I'll be out there alone or perhaps with one additional person with me from time to time, so I want a boat I can manage alone. I don't yet have a Sunfish, but I am looking to get a used one for the summer (I see there are a few on the forum here & several on Craigslist that I plan to check out).
Now that I've gotten the background information out of the way, I was hoping the forum audience could help me with some questions:
(1) I've been sailing on a boat a few times, though I'm definitely a beginner. Would you recommend that I take some classes to learn how to sail? Or, instead, read the Sunfish Bible (that so many have raved about) & employ a 'trial and error' method to just get out there and learn on my own.
(2) I've considered classes, but locally here in Minnesota most of the classes are ASA-related and focused more on keelboats at the introductory level. Would you consider that a good way to learn the basics? Or overkill given my intent to sail Sunfish rather than larger craft? (Note - Maybe in time I'll get there, but that's not my end goal currently)
(3) If classes aren't necessary but some training/coaching is recommended, do you have any contacts in SE Minnesota that I could contact to work with to learn the basics of sailing (ideally on a Sunfish)? I'm willing to pay for the time, of course, but I would appreciate any help/direction anyone could provide.
Thank you again in advance for your help!
jsmith230
[email protected]