Do I know how to sail? Nope
Updated: Sep 18, 2024
Nope!
To clarify, I set the goal of sailing through the Caribbean without any real existing knowledge of sailing. I've boated before; I've been on sail boats before, but no, my family doesn't sail, I don't have a group of friends who sail, or any real access to boats. That's where I'm starting.
How am I solving this problem? Help.
I have wanted to do this for a while, so I've been asking people for a while what they think. Usually I get the standard raised eyebrows and skeptical "that's crazy" response. Expected. I did get a little information from an acquaintance on a club near me, and an organization that does exactly what I'm looking for- Taking novices and turning them into sailors.
Enter, the American Sailing Association (ASA) https://asa.com/
I signed up for the Basic Keelboat Sailing 101 course. I have about a year before I want to start this endeavor, so I'm hoping to advance my training as much as I can. Here's an article that describes the course.
The ASA 101 course covers a wide range of essential sailing skills and knowledge, including:
Boat Terminology: You'll become familiar with the various parts of a sailboat, from the bow to the stern, the mast to the keel, and everything in between.
Sailing Theory: Learn the principles of how sails work, how to harness the wind's power, and how to navigate using basic sailing techniques.
Sailing Maneuvers: Master the art of tacking (turning the boat through the wind) and jibing (turning the boat away from the wind) to change direction effectively.
Safety Procedures: Understand essential safety protocols, including how to respond to emergencies, use safety equipment, and prevent capsizing.
Knots and Lines: Practice tying essential knots and handling lines to control sails and secure the boat.
Rules of the Road: Gain an understanding of the navigational rules and regulations to ensure safe passage on the water.
During the course, safety and proficiency were taken very seriously, so I felt very comfortable. Weather was beautiful but inconsistent. I had days with a lot of wind, and a lot of calm. Either way, the experience made me feel very comfortable. My instructor was amazing, and the material foreign enough to keep me engaged. There was only one other person taking the course with my instructor, so 2 students per instructor.
How do you get more Practice?
Join the sailing club!
There are a few perks to this path- it allowed me to join the sailing club. Sailing club costs ~$250/month, an initiation fee of ~$800. Pretty expensive, but club members can take out club boats. Your experience level dictates the size of the boats you can take out, so with 101 I can take out up to 22' boats.
Here's the club I joined- there are more than one but I really enjoyed my course here.
At the end of my course, I got my log-book which contains my instructor signed 101 course and enough space to keep other courses, and other trainings.
Now I have to practice what I've learned, and get some hours sailing. I have a way to go until I'm ready to take the next course, but time is always marching on!
The journey of 1,000 Miles begins with a single step
Follow along!
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