OK, so we are a couple who have been looking at getting into sailing for a while, I have some experience but she has none. We are 50 ish and are looking at liveaboard/crusing. Have been scoping out boats and even looked at a acoupe, but what we really need is some time on a boat to get a feel for it and make sure this is our thing before dropping serious lolly on a boat. If anyone can advise us and, well, anything, we are keen to learn. And how would we go about getting some crewing time, based in Newcastle NSW.

Cheers

I

Hi Ian, that's great that you're looking at getting into sailing seriously, it can be a really rewarding activity on many levels. Yes your thinking is on the right path, get your partner onto a boat and ease her into it, but only in good conditions so you don't freak her out. If in doubt, delay the trip, there's always another day. My partner and I only started 5 years or so ago. We were fortunate and had a friends boat drop in our laps as a lease/caretaking opportunity. He took us out on a number of occasions and got us used to the boat before handing over to us for a year. I was probably in a similar situation to you, having done just a little sailing over the years, but my partner had never been on a sailboat before. I was keen to buy a boat and she was interested in the idea. So that year we had with our friends boat gave us the opportunity to see if she took to it and wanted to proceed further. And yes she did, so we looked around and purchased a boat three and a half years ago and we're loving it.

We're in different states, otherwise I'd be happy to take you guys out to get a bit of experience. Hopefully another Seabreezer in your area will offer. Sail as much as you can on as many different boats as you can before looking for your own boat, you'll not regret doing that. Sailing clubs often are looking for crew, but I'd leave that until you get your partner onto a boat a few times at least, racing can be a pretty intense experience depending on the boat/skipper, and again you don't want to freak her out with confronting experiences at this early stage. Otherwise it's a great way to get your skills up.

Hi Ian, one thing your partner may be interested is the She Sails programme. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers women only sailing courses, so does RMYC Toronto. The good thing is that your partner will learn to sail with women and learn sailing fundamentals without testosterone getting in the way...in my experience too many women get frightened off sailing by the men going gung ho, particularly when racing??Are you actually in Newcastle or closer to Lake Macquarie? I do know Wangi Sailing Club has WAGs sailing each Wednesday and are always looking for crew, as are the guys at RMYC Toronto.

There was extensive advice on virtually the same topic recently. See here;

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/Learning-by-doing-2

Plus one for the courses at Newcastle Cruising club, very laid back harbour sailing (flat water no seasickness) and a super friendly crew of instructors.
As another option if you dont mind the drive the Toronto RMYC, has very laid back non spinnaker twilight racing series and they are super keen for anyone to pitch up and join a social crew for a sail. Once again flat water lake sailing.
If you phone ahead they will place you on a boat when you get there.
The crowd there were a bit older and very welcoming of anyone pitching up with no experience required. Take a pair of gloves with you (I had to borrow a pair after cutting my hands up hoisting a mainsail a bit to energetically).

Great feedback folks -- Keep it coming!
@2bish: great that you had a "loaner" to get a feel for it, well done. And yes, the other half wants to get into it gently, so probably not looking to do this years Sydney to Hobart. We are blessed that we are close enough to the Central coast lakes so a good place to start. And yes, we are definitly crusiers, so, no forcing it into big seas. We actually "crewed" for a 35 footer back in Perth, it was the kind of "racing" that was more "Hold my beer" than Americas cup - good fun and in Swan waters.

@Watermark: We are "Speciel" members of the NCYC and have the forms to get full membership - and we do like the Noreaster Bistro :) She did the intro womans course before the world went Covid on us and has a couple more courses booked for October. we will look into the clubs down on the Lake. We live in Mayfield and I work at Tomago, so wrong end of the city for after work sailing in winter, that siad, the wife would love any weekday sailing she can get :)

@r13: A good link and a good read TY.

@akward: Looking into the Toroto club and seeing whats happening. As above I might not be able to do twilight by the wife might - and good call on the gloves!

General:
Folks Im kicking myself for not posting earlier. Please keep the advice and stories coming - my wife is reading everything as well. we have been dabbling but now is the time to see if we can get some hours in the log book.

IG

If you are interested in crewing on a Saturday once a month at Wangi, drop me a PM. We are a tail ender in the fleet, but we have put lots of newbies through our boat. Great way to learn the basics without the agro.
Good move to join NCYC and don't forget to organise your YA (Australian Sailing) number to make it easy to jump on a boat at any time.

Ok good to know she has done some classes at Newcastle. I agree Lake Macquarie sailing clubs would be a good option, plus I am biased as I live there. Both RMYC Toronto and Wangi would be great choices, they are a bit more relaxed than LMYC I think and are welcoming to learners. Good luck to you both, sailing is great fun and even better if you both enjoy it.

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EC31 said..
If you are interested in crewing on a Saturday once a month at Wangi, drop me a PM. We are a tail ender in the fleet, but we have put lots of newbies through our boat. Great way to learn the basics without the agro.
Good move to join NCYC and don't forget to organise your YA (Australian Sailing) number to make it easy to jump on a boat at any time.

Thanks for the great day out on Saturday - was a nice calm intoduction for the wife and knocked a few cobwebs off of me. Anytime you need crew call us!! And thanks again.

I