If there was only one piece of advice you could to give to new sailors, what would it be?
Mine is: Alway wear a lifejacket.
Depends on the size of the boat.
Try not to be a fair weather sailor.
Go out as often as you can. Rain. hail (?) or shine.
Gary
Learn to tie a...bowline, clovehitch, reef knot, figure of 8 and double sheet bend.
0, 8 and a half around a cleat, another half if it's tying your boat up.
Stay on boat
Keep boat off land
Keep water off boat.
or
If you have to ask the question (should I reef, put on LJ etc) than you already know the answer.
Go twilight racing with someone experienced for a season, and absorb the boat handling techniques used - ie, easing mainsheet to bear away... building speed before a tack... don't fight the boat. Focus less on the racing, but there will generally be an emphasis on boat handling while racing that is less apparent when cruising. Bring beer, and learn to tie a bowline without having to think about it.
Confidence in yourself comes with experience. Confidence in your boat comes with cost.
Use a nappy pin to attach your sunglass & hat lanyards to your shirt collar and make sure that your wristwatch strap is securely fastened :)
Select to expand quoteJode5 said..
Don't scare the pants off the misses
Don't invite the misses
Oh . unless its the only way you can get her pants off 
Bigger isn't always best. You can have just as much fun in a small modest boat than a big expensive boat. And...learn to lie well to your partner.
"Focus less on the racing, but there will generally be an emphasis on boat handling while racing that is less apparent when cruising." yup so go racing
Great question and answers.............
Rather an attribute listing than one piece of advice, and based on new sailors joining your local average sailing club and being placed in a yacht to make up the crew numbers - please be aware that most clubs are "screaming" out for new crew members to put onto their existing yacht listing, better still yachts to add to their fleet listing, or better still both.
The yearly crew fees your "average" club charges are more than reasonable.....the below attributes are in all successful crews and skippers............most successful club racing skippers serve as crew regularly, and are not araldited to the helm..........for everyone on a boat a certain level of fitness and agility is needed............
1 Become aware of all sheets and halyards and control lines on the boat and their purpose, commit them to memory, be proactive in hauling on them or un-cleating them when needed
2 Know the race course before the start and what sails will probably be hoisted and doused on each leg
3 Keep in mind what you have been tasked to do the whole race but keep aware of what extra you could maybe do in the case of unexpected events...........all races have unexpected events..........but don't do anything which you are not comfortable with as regards safety for yourself or the rest of the crew or the boat
4 If another crew mate is having trouble with a task go in and assist if you can
5 Enjoy the race.
For new skippers - please keep the hull under the rig when sailing on a reach or broad reach with or without kite..................realise this is another topic.......
Select to expand quoteshaggybaxter said..
Take any rings off your fingers.
... and do it BEFORE you leave land! - saw a woman who had a finger "sleeved" getting from the dinghy into the boat. Not nice.
...my cousin got the same but the cause wasn't wearing a ring but rather by somehow having the sheet for the genoa loop around his finger!
Select to expand quoteGuitz said..
...my cousin got the same but the cause wasn't wearing a ring but rather by somehow having the sheet for the genoa loop around his finger!
For the novice, don't wind ropes* around your hands to improve your grip. Better to lose a rope than a finger or hand.
(* Using novice language).
We were all standing around having a beer after racing and one crusty old dog says " boats are like women" we are all paused waiting. He swigs his beer and says "cheaper to rent".
Apart from that. Seamanship! That covers it all.
In relation to my previous post, a quote from one of the great designers... "Although a man may take up sailing in order to go cruising, it will be well for him to race for a season early in his sailing career. It will teach him perfection in the handling and sailing of his craft; which will stand him in good stead when he goes cruising.It is frequently the cruising man who has raced who makes his harbor without any trouble; whereas a man who has only cruised goes about things in a much more slovenly manner, for he has not the exactness and the skill found in racing men."Uffa Fox - Handling Sailing Boats, 1960
This was on the Sailing Anarchy page... Sailing Anarchy is well worth checking out, but a thick skin may be required if commenting on the forums;) Lots of wisdom there though.
Select to expand quotetarquin1 said..
We were all standing around having a beer after racing and one crusty old dog says " boats are like women" we are all paused waiting. He swigs his beer and says "cheaper to rent".
Apart from that. Seamanship! That covers it all.
cant agree more also a good boats like a good woman the more you take off her the better she looks ( and handles )
Hi I am thinking of buying a Hood 20 ,, It is in Port Pirie .. what sort of sail is it from Port Pirie to Adelaide?
thinking of doing it instead of by road.
'
Select to expand quoteAll@Sea said..
In relation to my previous post, a quote from one of the great designers... "Although a man may take up sailing in order to go cruising, it will be well for him to race for a season early in his sailing career. It will teach him perfection in the handling and sailing of his craft; which will stand him in good stead when he goes cruising.It is frequently the cruising man who has raced who makes his harbor without any trouble; whereas a man who has only cruised goes about things in a much more slovenly manner, for he has not the exactness and the skill found in racing men."Uffa Fox - Handling Sailing Boats, 1960
This was on the Sailing Anarchy page... Sailing Anarchy is well worth checking out, but a thick skin may be required if commenting on the forums;) Lots of wisdom there though.
Best post I have read here, well done and could not agree anymore
Select to expand quoteboty said..tarquin1 said..
We were all standing around having a beer after racing and one crusty old dog says " boats are like women" we are all paused waiting. He swigs his beer and says "cheaper to rent".
Apart from that. Seamanship! That covers it all.
cant agree more also a good boats like a good woman the more you take off her the better she looks ( and handles )
You owe me a pack of frozen peas for the swelling Boty. I should know by now not to share everything I read.
