So I'm new here, new at sailing. I sailed as a teenager but that was a long time ago (I'm 53 now). I'd like to learn to sail with an eventual aim of owning my own yacht. I'm located on the Central Coast of NSW, some research shows that both Gosford and Lake Macquarie Yacht Clubs hold classes for beginners. Have any of you undertaken these classes? Would you recommend them for someone like myself? I've been a surfer all my life and as such have a very healthy respect for how powerful the ocean can be. Thanks.

I've just had a search in here and the common advice seems to be crewing a yacht to gain experience. Seems logical.

Sailing is like riding a bike once you've done it the skill remains....ok more than a tad exaggerated....as a teenager did you steer as well as crew - what sort of yacht or skiff? I haven't done the courses at those clubs but expect they will be more than fine. A good way to get back into it also - expect those sailing schools feed crew to the club yachts and with your background you will be snapped up. Did you windsurf as well as surf - windsurfing teaches about apparent wind, handling chop and tacking and gybing so well. Good luck with your course and crewing - keep us informed - what sort of yacht are you aiming at and what sort of sailing? Club racing or short offshore passages down south or north eg port Stephens? As you have seen here there is a wealth of knowledge on the various yacht designs on the market so if you want flag your plans and budget and yacht size and all the advice will come flooding in.

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KeenToLearn said..
I've just had a search in here and the common advice seems to be crewing a yacht to gain experience. Seems logical.

yep ! and join a club , use racing as a learning tool as a crew member . racing helps with lots skills , but not anchoring .

Thanks all, I'll head to Belmont Yacht Club today and see what I can find out.

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r13 said..
Sailing is like riding a bike once you've done it the skill remains....ok more than a tad exaggerated....as a teenager did you steer as well as crew - what sort of yacht or skiff? I haven't done the courses at those clubs but expect they will be more than fine. A good way to get back into it also - expect those sailing schools feed crew to the club yachts and with your background you will be snapped up. Did you windsurf as well as surf - windsurfing teaches about apparent wind, handling chop and tacking and gybing so well. Good luck with your course and crewing - keep us informed - what sort of yacht are you aiming at and what sort of sailing? Club racing or short offshore passages down south or north eg port Stephens? As you have seen here there is a wealth of knowledge on the various yacht designs on the market so if you want flag your plans and budget and yacht size and all the advice will come flooding in.

Well ultimately I'd like to buy something capable of sailing through Vanuatu, as my wife and I have some land there that we'd like to build on and retire there. So I guess something big enough to handle blue water sailing and comfortable to live on for an extended period. Long term plans though.

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KeenToLearn said..
Thanks all, I'll head to Belmont Yacht Club today and see what I can find out.

Try Lake Macquarie Yacht Club as well and
Croudace Bay Sailing Club (CBSC) they are racing Sunday 5th
www.cbsc.org.au/index.php/jev-club-calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2020/01/05/248/-/regatta

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Craig66 said..

KeenToLearn said..
Thanks all, I'll head to Belmont Yacht Club today and see what I can find out.

Try Lake Macquarie Yacht Club as well and
Croudace Bay Sailing Club (CBSC) they are racing Sunday 5th
www.cbsc.org.au/index.php/jev-club-calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2020/01/05/248/-/regatta

Thanks I'll check them out.

Thank you to the kind person who has offered me a spot on their yacht, I'll be in contact with you soon.

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r13 said..
Sailing is like riding a bike once you've done it the skill remains....ok more than a tad exaggerated....as a teenager did you steer as well as crew - what sort of yacht or skiff? I haven't done the courses at those clubs but expect they will be more than fine. A good way to get back into it also - expect those sailing schools feed crew to the club yachts and with your background you will be snapped up. Did you windsurf as well as surf - windsurfing teaches about apparent wind, handling chop and tacking and gybing so well. Good luck with your course and crewing - keep us informed - what sort of yacht are you aiming at and what sort of sailing? Club racing or short offshore passages down south or north eg port Stephens? As you have seen here there is a wealth of knowledge on the various yacht designs on the market so if you want flag your plans and budget and yacht size and all the advice will come flooding in.

Mainly small catamarans, during school then my late teens. I'm not surfing as much these days due to several reasons, never did try windsurfing. I guess surfing has given me knowledge regarding the seasonal winds, the oceanic currents and general weather knowledge surrounding the seasons. I also spent a year at sea on a chemical tanker, mainly domestically but the occasional trip across the ditch to Bluff. I did 3 months at the AMC beforehand, mostly maritime safety related stuff but also map reading and seamanship.

Great long term plan and background you'll pick up sailing very quickly. Was that one of the Stolt ships?

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r13 said..
Great long term plan and background you'll pick up sailing very quickly. Was that one of the Stolt ships?

Yes it was, did a year but that was enough for me.