... you've just discovered sailing and you love it, your new found thing that you've decided you'll always do and quite possibly carry on to its logical extreme, which in my imagination is sailing around the world, or at least from Australia to Europe. I'll have to do that before I'm too old and frail, so I need to fast-track it as far as possible. All advice most welcome, with top-of-mind queries including...
- learn to sail a dinghy or go straight for a bigger boat
- pay for a professional course or pick it up as I go along
- what kind of boat should I be dreaming of for the ultimate round-the-world trip
- do I need a licence or any kind of registration
- medium-term stage is a boat that'll get me around the Moreton Bay islands, able to drop anchor and overnight -- wondering what are good boats and how much I should expect to pay
- and so on -- many questions
Apologies if this is the wrong place to be asking -- gratitude if it's the right place and you have something to say.
And thanks anyway. :)
Join a sailing club and land yourself a crewing spot for Saturdays. Join a yacht club and get a crewing spot for Sundays and maybe mid week racing. Get involved with assisting with boat maintenance with the owner. Do not spend any money till you know exactly what you are doing.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
Join a sailing club and land yourself a crewing spot for Saturdays. Join a yacht club and get a crewing spot for Sundays and maybe mid week racing. Get involved with assisting with boat maintenance with the owner. Do not spend any money till you know exactly what you are doing.
cant agree more
Learn to sail a dinghy. If you go straight to a big boat and go down to a club you will not really get taught how to sail, you will be put on simple tasks but not taught why things happen the way the do. If you go an jump in a laser or sabre dinghy then your on your own and you need to know why things are happening. All of this makes you a substantially better big boat sailor (not saying you cant be a good big boat sailor without sailing a dinghy though).
Once you can get around a course then think about bigger boats to learn the basics about winches and how to sail a bigger boat. Coming into a bigger boat with some knowledge will also mean you will be given more meaningful tasks on a big boat Tis will mean you learn more. This would also be the time to start looking for your own boat. Personally I would probably buy a trailer sailor first. This will enable you to do overnighting and learn all the cruising basics like anchoring and night sailing but without needing a big boat. I think that you would be extremely unlikely to be able to buy your world cruising boat as your first boat. You don't know what you will like or not and you sho0uld have more experience before buying something like that.
Talk to the cruising sailors and see if you can crew with them on weekends away as these people are the gems of knowledge that you will need to mine to get your knowledge up. Ask them about the ins and outs of cruising boats and listen and look around at other boats to see what they have, more importantly what they don't have.
Budget for a boat is "how long is a piece of string", how many people, fin keel or full keel, sloop or ketch, fibreglass or steel, how many luxuries do you want, and ultimately - how much do you want to spend? I am now looking to upgrade my boat to do something similar and I wouldn't look at anything less than 100k. But that is me and my knowledge about what I want and the fact that it will be my family including 2 kids. This is why I think it would be foolhardy to buy something until you have the experience to know what you want because you don't want to buy something and it turn out to be not what you want.
Missus and I bought a twenty eight footer and learned to sail by going out on Pittwater and then asking
the forum 'what did I do wrong' all questions were answered with patience and good humor and we have
really enjoyed the experience of pitting ourselves against the unknown. The result is we now go out at
least once a week and enjoy sailing much to the astonishment of some family members who thought it
an impossible task for us. Whichever way you want to go you'll get plenty of encouragement off these guys.
From your questions I am guessing you have not been on a sail boat yet. Suggest you go out on one and not necessarily in a race,just a Sunday sail. Involve the family. If that works go to a learn to sail school to start and learn the proper basics eg. Flaking a headsail to pack away. Nothing worse than needing to do a sail change and finding it all twisted etc in the bag.
Set about getting the proper licences ie. boat licence, radio operators licence. At the same time also consider doing a navigaton course. Minimum coastal .
I did an advanced navigation course at night school at RMIT and found it totally absorbing and challenging.
All of this will get you totally involved in the full package of sailing
requirements if you want to go more than off the beach.
Set about finding a club that has more than just races eg.
night navigating comps. around set courses.
If your still keen to follow the dream after all that join a club and get on as many different boats in different weather conditions as possible. If your still keen buy a boat. By this stage you will know what you want. Just remember for a set $ a small well equipped one is a better buy than a large one that needs work.
Then race it to hone your skills involving the family.
It's not rocket science, just do it if someone like Riley from utubes La Vagabonde can sail half way around the world without a single lesson it shows that anyone with a bit of common sense can do it also.
Do not pay for learning. It is foolish and unnecessary.
Tell the truth about being a newbie, work hard, ask questions. Read books or on the net and watch sailing videos.
Don't think of buying, yet.
Oh, and filling in a few details in your profile would not just be helpful but polite too.
there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace, you
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need.
Select to expand quotedralyagmas said..
Learn to sail a dinghy. If you go straight to a big boat and go down to a club you will not really get taught how to sail, you will be put on simple tasks but not taught why things happen the way the do. If you go an jump in a laser or sabre dinghy then your on your own and you need to know why things are happening. All of this makes you a substantially better big boat sailor (not saying you cant be a good big boat sailor without sailing a dinghy though).
Once you can get around a course then think about bigger boats to learn the basics about winches and how to sail a bigger boat. Coming into a bigger boat with some knowledge will also mean you will be given more meaningful tasks on a big boat Tis will mean you learn more. This would also be the time to start looking for your own boat. Personally I would probably buy a trailer sailor first. This will enable you to do overnighting and learn all the cruising basics like anchoring and night sailing but without needing a big boat. I think that you would be extremely unlikely to be able to buy your world cruising boat as your first boat. You don't know what you will like or not and you sho0uld have more experience before buying something like that.
Talk to the cruising sailors and see if you can crew with them on weekends away as these people are the gems of knowledge that you will need to mine to get your knowledge up. Ask them about the ins and outs of cruising boats and listen and look around at other boats to see what they have, more importantly what they don't have.
Budget for a boat is "how long is a piece of string", how many people, fin keel or full keel, sloop or ketch, fibreglass or steel, how many luxuries do you want, and ultimately - how much do you want to spend? I am now looking to upgrade my boat to do something similar and I wouldn't look at anything less than 100k. But that is me and my knowledge about what I want and the fact that it will be my family including 2 kids. This is why I think it would be foolhardy to buy something until you have the experience to know what you want because you don't want to buy something and it turn out to be not what you want.
I can't agree more , dinghys are fun, they let you know when you do the wrong thing usually by tossing you in the drink !
But it's a lot of fun and you learn the lesson, ie what forces are at work when you gybe 
you don't need a new racer to learn in there's plenty of old girls around to learn in, I'm thinking an old heron makes a good forgiving little day cruiser, room for an esky you can easily fish out them and they row ok ( sometimes the wind stops)
Agree with all the above posts even though some seem to be contradictory. Best advice I can give is start today.
Select to expand quoteTwoSheets said..
... you've just discovered sailing ...
learn to sail a dinghy or go straight for a bigger boat
I learnt to sail on a dinghy, but if you want to sail keel boats, learn to sail on keel boats, the tasks are different. I love dinghy's to bits, but there is more relevance in learning what you need by starting on the boat you want to sail.
- pay for a professional course or pick it up as I go along
If you can afford it, professional tuition is the best. Make sure the instructor and school is real, ie: qualified. I'm all for learning by just going out and sailing. But if you want to maximise the return on time/effort, and money is not a consideration, absolutely get tuition. This approach is normal in a workplace, true?
If you can't afford it, or even if you can, yep, join a club. Go sailing. I'm going out this arvo, PM me and come out for a sail.
- what kind of boat should I be dreaming of for the ultimate round-the-world trip
Heh, that answer would fill books and books dependent upon who you ask!
- do I need a licence or any kind of registration
There are sailing qualifications you can aquire, if travelling os is on the cards look for a global quals, like RYA. You need to check the size of your motor in case you need a Qld boat license to drive it.
- medium-term stage is a boat that'll get me around the Moreton Bay islands, able to drop anchor and overnight -- wondering what are good boats and how much I should expect to pay
This is more dependent upon your expectations, a sail boat for Moreton Bay could be a couple of grand to 30-40K. Waterline length is the financial killer, you double the price of a mainsail on a 26' to a 34' so to speak.
Hope this helps,
SB
Twosheets
I never went the dinghy options as I'm too fat to get back into something that could potentially capsize and I didn't particularly want to get wet every time I went sailing.
In November most clubs have a 'go sailing' day where you can have a look around and even go for a short sail.
In Melb I visited 3 clubs on the same day to get a feel.
Most clubs also have a crew register and can pair you with a boat and you can also get up to 3 days passes to join a crew for races.
A club can give you the opportunity to see many boats in close proximity and potentially try a few out.
Pick a good skipper who doesn't yell and is prepared to share knowledge rather than just use you as a grinder or rail meat.
I liked the club experience but eventually the politics and direction of the club got to me - remember as a member you have a stake in the club.
If you want to buy a boat and do some experiential learning by all means go for it. There are very good videos around now a days and also forums such as this are terrific for debate. There are also some **** video's and forums around too so be careful. Don't be scared as their is no right answer. The only word of warning is do not over capitalise unless you can comfortable carry a loss.
Look at your learning style and risk profile and in the words of Nike "just do it".
Well I've never sailed a dinghy or a lazer. Had 10 days on my brother's boat sailing Airlie to Cairns. Thought briefly about the logic of "learning" to sail before I bought a boat, but thinking about the shortness of life and watching too many people leave things too late, I bought my boat 6 months later. I went straight to one that can potentially sail around the world as my logical conclusion was the same, that I may want to do just that and didn't want to have to shop for another boat later.
I took people with me who knew the ropes to start with, until I got to where I took the plunge and went solo. Have not regretted it for one minute.
I say go for broke. Do it.. Buy the boat. You'll find plenty of people willing to help.
You don't do what you don't dream is my motto.
My sailing started buying a 1/4 share in Sonata 7.
It was a great way to start as it keep costs low and the other owners taught me to sail.
After about 2 years I sold my share and brought my own boat.
If you are interested in going for a sail on Moreton Bay in keel boat one weekend send me a message, always happy to have people who are passionate about sailing on board.
sabot here back when I was 10 or so every thing was made of ply in those days and mirrors were like flies every dad built one during the winter and at regatta's they were like rabbits around a water tank on a dry summer 
Thanks all for your encouraging and often contradictory replies. I have been in a boat before (see updated profile) so it's not like I just decided to get a spaceship and go to Mars. I'll be doing all that volunteer crewing and learning and talking to people who know before I get serious about buying one, though I don't want to wait too long. If qualifications aren't mandatory I think I'll just pick it up from experienced sailors and my own intuition. It can't be that hard, hey?
Select to expand quoteTwoSheets said..
Thanks all for your encouraging and often contradictory replies. I have been in a boat before (see updated profile) so it's not like I just decided to get a spaceship and go to Mars. I'll be doing all that volunteer crewing and learning and talking to people who know before I get serious about buying one, though I don't want to wait too long. If qualifications aren't mandatory I think I'll just pick it up from experienced sailors and my own intuition. It can't be that hard, hey?
Crewing for other people and socializing at yacht clubs and working out who is who is the way to go. There are a lot of people out there who have bought large yachts as their first boats and are looking for help. Try to avoid those. Crewing on a good club racer is the way to go.
Depends on the state, in WA you need a Recreational Skippers Ticket if in charge of boat with engine of 5-6hp I think.
Lots of clubs offer Competent Crew courses which are a good way to be introduced to the club and help find a crew position on a suitable yacht/skipper. I think it's a better way than just turning up if you don't know anyone and have limited experience.
We used to have around 17 Sharpies in a club many years ago it was excellent competitive racing
A crew of three. skipper main sheet hand and trapeze . The trapeze handled both spinnakers along with a hand from the main sheet crew.
All made out of Ply low cost to an extent very much so compared with today. That kept 51 people occupied for the day.
competitive and also entertaining. All good skippers
Select to expand quoteHG02 said..
We used to have around 17 Sharpies in a club many years ago it was excellent competitive racing
A crew of three. skipper main sheet hand and trapeze . The trapeze handled both spinnakers along with a hand from the main sheet crew.
All made out of Ply low cost to an extent very much so compared with today. That kept 51 people occupied for the day.
competitive and also entertaining. All good skippers
I started sailing as a mainsheet/bailer boy about 1960-61 in Light weight and heavy weight Sharpies. The Lightweight were ply and the heavy weights had planks. They were very expensive boats to buy and sail, certainly out of reach of wage earners. The owners were always business owners or farmers!
