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Lots of links out there speak about the value of learning to sail on a dinghy, but I'm finding less information on the type of dinghy that might be best.
I see a number of single-sail dinghies, but I don't know if I should persue one of them, or look for something that has a jib. I assume the latter would offer more opportunity to learn, and perhaps better prepare me for stepping up to a larger boat with more than a single sail, but not sure if a single-sail dinghy is the best first step and if one with a jib is something that I need to graduate to.
I don' see a lot about "best dinghy for single-handed sailing" that doesn't point to a laser or something that seems more purpose-oriented for racing, etc.
Likewise, most the classes I'm finding are basic keelboat classes. Still trying to find a good class that teaches dinghy sailing locally.
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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Getting Started
Dug up old textbook from sailing classes I took at UCSB: Start Sailing Right. Will be studying it as much as possible before starting with some sailing classes (I still have to visit the schools to check them out).
Also bought Learn Sailing Right, branded as a better, more streamlined version of the book I have. Would like to have as much basic info as possible.
Plan to take sailing classes, and looking at schools in the Long Beach, CA area. Primarily looking at ASA classes, but am a little unsure if learning on large boats is the best path. Seems a little cart-before-the-horse to me.
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Also bought Learn Sailing Right, branded as a better, more streamlined version of the book I have. Would like to have as much basic info as possible.
Plan to take sailing classes, and looking at schools in the Long Beach, CA area. Primarily looking at ASA classes, but am a little unsure if learning on large boats is the best path. Seems a little cart-before-the-horse to me.
***
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Forthcoming
I think I'd like to go sailing.
Why?
I'm not sure.
I was, for better or worse, inspired by media coverage of Abby Sunderland. A young girl like that - or like Jessica Watson, or any other young sailor - challenging herself, her skills, her will, in such a way... Juxtaposed to my own teenage years, and to the likely experiences of her peers (getting drunk in the park, posting naked pictures on facebook, driving recklessly on Friday nights)... her goals struck me as impressive. I admire her ambition.
Anyhow, when considering her voyage, I wondered if I might develop the skills to someday sail the world as well. I fell into a waking dream, of solitude and the strains it can bring, of ability and skill, and one's resolve to test them against the elements, of the ineffible, on the deep sea, there for only few to experience. I romanticized the effect of cruising the oceans, and wondered if it would make me different in any way, stronger, wiser... if there was indeed any unique enlightenment to be gained. In my heart, I feel it would, and that there is, even if more subtly so that one might imagine in their idealizations of life at sea.
Moreover, I thought of my daughters.
I want to improve myself for them. I want to be a more able, confident, capable person. I want to be a more well-rounded role-model for them, and I want to provide them with more varied opportunities to build and earn their own self-confidence and self-reliance as they grow from these early years. I think that if we could sail together, it might be yet another way, a fun and challenging way, to help foster this.
When they are 18 years old (15 years from now!), I want to equip them with choices. I'd love it, that is, if I could give them the self confidence and ability to choose sailing to Hawaii for the summer over getting drunk and posting naked pictures of themselves on facebook. I'm not imagining that "sailing" will ensure my kids success in life, but I do think that sailing, like many other activities, could become a valuable tool at a good parent's disposal.
So yeah, I guess that's why. I want to sail because I look forward to the challenge of something new, because doing so provides me with a long term goal to work toward (everyone needs goals), and because I think it will be a source for dynamism and will provide a platform for family development. Basically, I think it seems like it could be fun and rewarding.
So, what's the problem?
I don't know how to sail.
So, what's the plan?
Step one - learn to sail. Step two - figure out if it's fun and worth persuing. Step three - if it is, gain as much skill as I can, and maybe in 10-15 years time, buy a keelboat and take it from there. Ideally, set sail for a world voyage by 2030, and have a boat big enough to host my daughters and (dare I say!) their friends when they fly out to meet me in distant parts of the world, OR have them (if they desire) aboard to share the helm along the way.
From where I am now, that sounds pretty good. We'll see!
***
Why?
I'm not sure.
I was, for better or worse, inspired by media coverage of Abby Sunderland. A young girl like that - or like Jessica Watson, or any other young sailor - challenging herself, her skills, her will, in such a way... Juxtaposed to my own teenage years, and to the likely experiences of her peers (getting drunk in the park, posting naked pictures on facebook, driving recklessly on Friday nights)... her goals struck me as impressive. I admire her ambition.
Anyhow, when considering her voyage, I wondered if I might develop the skills to someday sail the world as well. I fell into a waking dream, of solitude and the strains it can bring, of ability and skill, and one's resolve to test them against the elements, of the ineffible, on the deep sea, there for only few to experience. I romanticized the effect of cruising the oceans, and wondered if it would make me different in any way, stronger, wiser... if there was indeed any unique enlightenment to be gained. In my heart, I feel it would, and that there is, even if more subtly so that one might imagine in their idealizations of life at sea.
Moreover, I thought of my daughters.
I want to improve myself for them. I want to be a more able, confident, capable person. I want to be a more well-rounded role-model for them, and I want to provide them with more varied opportunities to build and earn their own self-confidence and self-reliance as they grow from these early years. I think that if we could sail together, it might be yet another way, a fun and challenging way, to help foster this.
When they are 18 years old (15 years from now!), I want to equip them with choices. I'd love it, that is, if I could give them the self confidence and ability to choose sailing to Hawaii for the summer over getting drunk and posting naked pictures of themselves on facebook. I'm not imagining that "sailing" will ensure my kids success in life, but I do think that sailing, like many other activities, could become a valuable tool at a good parent's disposal.
So yeah, I guess that's why. I want to sail because I look forward to the challenge of something new, because doing so provides me with a long term goal to work toward (everyone needs goals), and because I think it will be a source for dynamism and will provide a platform for family development. Basically, I think it seems like it could be fun and rewarding.
So, what's the problem?
I don't know how to sail.
So, what's the plan?
Step one - learn to sail. Step two - figure out if it's fun and worth persuing. Step three - if it is, gain as much skill as I can, and maybe in 10-15 years time, buy a keelboat and take it from there. Ideally, set sail for a world voyage by 2030, and have a boat big enough to host my daughters and (dare I say!) their friends when they fly out to meet me in distant parts of the world, OR have them (if they desire) aboard to share the helm along the way.
From where I am now, that sounds pretty good. We'll see!
***
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