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Today is Halloween, and Erin came dressed up as a mime. I didn't recognize her.
We got to practice our jibes today. No one actually said "jibe ho," but it was fun nonetheless. Ed went first, and by the time it was my turn to practice, the wind had died to nothing. To complicate things, there was a stand up paddleboard race in the harbor, and the announcers were yelling over their PA system for us to get out of the course. Unfortunately, without any wind, it's a bit hard to move the sailboat.
Next week is our last class. I inquired about private lessons, as, while very affordable, I feel like the group classes don't offer as efficient a learning experience as I'd like. One teacher for 15 students is a thin spread, and I'd like to get more detailed feedback on what I'm doing.
In particular... SAIL TRIM. I have a hard time reading the wind and trimming the sails accordingly. I'm afraid maybe I lack the required natural ability here, and hope that's not the case. Regardless, I got Erin's contact information and will try to work something out so that I can get more time with an experienced instructor...
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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
More Tacking
In class today we rigged the boats and spent our time learning to tack. Another gal who missed her class yesterday (it was raining) was put in our boat for a make-up session. It was pretty fun - we ran figure eights around two bouys, tacking back and forth a few times each.
Erin also went over points of sail and such in the classroom - again, not much new material here outside the books, but good to go over it.
I was a little embarassed today - I pronounced bowline as "bowlin," and while I believe that's the proper way to pronounce it, I felt like a poseur. Same thing when I referred to "blocks" and "sheets." I suppose I won't think twice about this sort of stuff later on.
I did find that tacking without the tiller extension was a little hard. My arms aren't long enough to push the tiller away from me without shifting my weight to the leeward side of the boat. With Ed already on that side, it's a lot of weight going to leeward while turning to windward, and sometimes feels a bit uncomfortable, as if we're going to tip over. So I use the tiller extension, even though I'm told we shouldn't. Not sure the reasoning behind this.
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Erin also went over points of sail and such in the classroom - again, not much new material here outside the books, but good to go over it.
I was a little embarassed today - I pronounced bowline as "bowlin," and while I believe that's the proper way to pronounce it, I felt like a poseur. Same thing when I referred to "blocks" and "sheets." I suppose I won't think twice about this sort of stuff later on.
I did find that tacking without the tiller extension was a little hard. My arms aren't long enough to push the tiller away from me without shifting my weight to the leeward side of the boat. With Ed already on that side, it's a lot of weight going to leeward while turning to windward, and sometimes feels a bit uncomfortable, as if we're going to tip over. So I use the tiller extension, even though I'm told we shouldn't. Not sure the reasoning behind this.
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Sunday, October 17, 2010
First Class - Lots of Fun!
Today was first class on the Capri 14.2 at Leeway Sailing Center. My teacher's name is Erin, and the class seems like it will be a good time - laid back, but still plenty to learn.
Most the class was spent indoors, orientation to terminology and knots. There was nothing new covered so far that wasn't covered in the books I've been reading, but was nice to get it in person rather than from the page.
Most students are older - I think I'm one of the younger ones there, and the class is split pretty evenly between guys and gals. I'm not sure what everyone's motivations for learning are, but everyone seems nice.
My partner's name is Ed. He's the tallest guy in the class, I'm the shortest. Between the two of us, we did okay in the boat while rigging and practicing our first tacks in the harbor.
I've gotta say that I feel quite alientaed from the boat. I'm a long way from embodying it like one embodies a car, to the point where one's consciousness is distributed through the mechanics being operated. I look forward to a future where I can do without thinking so procedurally. Guessing it will be a while!
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Most the class was spent indoors, orientation to terminology and knots. There was nothing new covered so far that wasn't covered in the books I've been reading, but was nice to get it in person rather than from the page.
Most students are older - I think I'm one of the younger ones there, and the class is split pretty evenly between guys and gals. I'm not sure what everyone's motivations for learning are, but everyone seems nice.
My partner's name is Ed. He's the tallest guy in the class, I'm the shortest. Between the two of us, we did okay in the boat while rigging and practicing our first tacks in the harbor.
I've gotta say that I feel quite alientaed from the boat. I'm a long way from embodying it like one embodies a car, to the point where one's consciousness is distributed through the mechanics being operated. I look forward to a future where I can do without thinking so procedurally. Guessing it will be a while!
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Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Class Registration
Figured out my schedule and will start sailing classes at Leeway on October 17. Class description says it's for students 13 years and older. I just hope I'm not the only one that's over 30!
Very happy to have found a place that teaches sailing on small boats!
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Very happy to have found a place that teaches sailing on small boats!
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Thursday, August 12, 2010
Leeway Sailing Center
Stumbled across some dinghy classes today. The Long Beach Parks / Recreation District offers classes on Capri 14.2's through the Leeway Sailing Center.
Costs are very reasonable - little over $100 for 4 weeks of instruction, 3 hours per week.
Will try to register for classes soon...
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Costs are very reasonable - little over $100 for 4 weeks of instruction, 3 hours per week.
Will try to register for classes soon...
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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Learning to sail in a Dinghy
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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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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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.
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