Well this may be a stupid questions but I am going to ask it anyway.

For learning to sail a keelboat. I am thinking doing the
competent crew RYA course than buying either a Top Hat or an S&S 34 and teaching myself.

As mentioned earlier I have a load of experience on motor boats and sailing sabots and lasers. Would a top hat or s&s 34 be a too big step? Would I need to get more experience before buying a boat.

If i where to buy say an s&s 34 I would start in perfect conditions and work my way up to more sh!tty conditions for a couple of months. At the same time getting my celestrail navigation and first aid ticket.

I am already very confident with paper charts as I have been practicing using them since i was 13.

My main concern would be whether sailing an S&S 34 is too large for someone just starting out with keelboats.

Tell me what you guys think.
Regards Mick

Mick, if you have sailed a Laser, then a keel boat is a logical step up. You know which way is the pointy end, how to trim sails and run aground. The rest is just learning about the boats capabilities and your capabilities.

I spent all my childhood on timber motor cruisers, then sailed dinghy's before buying my East Coast 31, which is not much smaller than an S&S34. A yacht seemed daunting at first, but I called on the help of friends and this forum to get me on the right track.

Still do the RYA course, you will learn lots of stuff to make it easier for those first steps. If you get the opportunity to crew for someone, grab it.

Select to expand quote

Shanty said..
Well this may be a stupid questions but I am going to ask it anyway.

For learning to sail a keelboat. I am thinking doing the
competent crew RYA course than buying either a Top Hat or an S&S 34 and teaching myself.

As mentioned earlier I have a load of experience on motor boats and sailing sabots and lasers. Would a top hat or s&s 34 be a too big step? Would I need to get more experience before buying a boat.

If i where to buy say an s&s 34 I would start in perfect conditions and work my way up to more sh!tty conditions for a couple of months. At the same time getting my celestrail navigation and first aid ticket.

I am already very confident with paper charts as I have been practicing using them since i was 13.

My main concern would be whether sailing an S&S 34 is too large for someone just starting out with keelboats.

Tell me what you guys think.
Regards Mick

1. Do a sailing course or crew in races around the cans.
2. BTW are you going to have a crew of sorts to help?
3. You need to learn what ropes to pull when AND what to do to get out of trouble.
4. Starting in a 34 footer with no experience. What's the saying out of "The Castle" Tell em their ........
4. If no to 2. Read 1. Again

Pacific Sailing School on J24's four hours every Sunday for six weeks.
Eastsail same time on bigger boats after this if possible.

Shanty, where are you located?

Select to expand quote

shaggybaxter said..
Shanty, where are you located?

At the moment in cairns Getting ready to crew on a tug which is towing a barge back from Cape Tribulation. Other than that I live in Rodds Bay. About 60 kms south of Gladstone.

I'm in a similar situation as you. Sailed with my dad as a kid. Did my adults learn to sail and crewed for a couple of seasons. Now sail my Northshore 33 with my 10yo daughter and sometimes single handed. I reckon with your experience too the sabots and lasers you won't have any problems with a keel boat. Don't muck around with a little one either, buy the biggest boat you can afford to buy and maintain.

Hi Mick.
When I retired i was the skipper of an 80 foot paddle wheeler on the Murray River holding a Master Class 4 ticket.
I had never sailed in my life but as Missus and I love the water we decided to buy a yacht ( 28 foot Santana ) and teach
ourselves to sail. This was not just for a bit of an adventure but to offset the " slowing down " aspect of retirement.
I think I almost reached " Legendary " status with the antics I reported on the forum, but with their help and a good
dose of using the " grey matter " Missus and I really enjoy our weekly sailing sojourns. I know the forum had some good
laughs over our exploits, so for me mate just do it, buy your boat, get on board, ask your questions, use your brains
and just do it.

Best regards. Samsturdy.

Select to expand quote

samsturdy said..
Hi Mick.
When I retired i was the skipper of an 80 foot paddle wheeler on the Murray River holding a Master Class 4 ticket.
I had never sailed in my life but as Missus and I love the water we decided to buy a yacht ( 28 foot Santana ) and teach
ourselves to sail. This was not just for a bit of an adventure but to offset the " slowing down " aspect of retirement.
I think I almost reached " Legendary " status with the antics I reported on the forum, but with their help and a good
dose of using the " grey matter " Missus and I really enjoy our weekly sailing sojourns. I know the forum had some good
laughs over our exploits, so for me mate just do it, buy your boat, get on board, ask your questions, use your brains
and just do it.

Best regards. Samsturdy.

Yeah Sam that's what I reckon I'm going to do. Do the RYA courses so I have some idea on what the hell im doing. Buy a boat and teach myself. Practice makes perfect. Hopefully
regards
Mick

Select to expand quote

Shanty said..

shaggybaxter said..
Shanty, where are you located?

At the moment in cairns Getting ready to crew on a tug which is towing a barge back from Cape Tribulation. Other than that I live in Rodds Bay. About 60 kms south of Gladstone.

Shanty, RQYS run the Bris-Keppel race on the 2nd August, there are always seats on the delivery back to Brisbane on a few boats.
If you're interested PM me your details and a rough outline on time at sea, and I can see if I can get you a ride. A lack of experience isn't a big issue, as long as the skipper is aware of it.
Youd have to sort out your own way home from Brisbane, but it will get you some time on keelboats.
Cheers,
SB

Select to expand quote

Shanty said..
Well this may be a stupid questions but I am going to ask it anyway.

For learning to sail a keelboat. I am thinking doing the
competent crew RYA course than buying either a Top Hat or an S&S 34 and teaching myself.

As mentioned earlier I have a load of experience on motor boats and sailing sabots and lasers. Would a top hat or s&s 34 be a too big step? Would I need to get more experience before buying a boat.

If i where to buy say an s&s 34 I would start in perfect conditions and work my way up to more sh!tty conditions for a couple of months. At the same time getting my celestrail navigation and first aid ticket.

I am already very confident with paper charts as I have been practicing using them since i was 13.

My main concern would be whether sailing an S&S 34 is too large for someone just starting out with keelboats.

Tell me what you guys think.
Regards Mick

Ill be teaching myself, my tophats no holdfast trainer, been years since i peddled anything with a sail, no doubt ill dig up a sail buddy that know more then me and can help along the road

It's only a silly question the second time you ask it my dad always told me.
Yes you could buy a boat and teach yourself. You will learn a lot quicker sailing with other people and different boats though. Do deliveries and ask lots of questions about sail repairs,passage planning splicing anything. Skippers should do a safety brief and you will learn about all the safety equipment.
Make sure you are logging those miles on the commercial vessels and start your tickets if you havnt already.
In a few years time with a few thousand miles under your belt on different boats and some commercial tickets you will be a valued asset. People might even start paying you!