Learn To Sail DVD? Anyone ever learn this way?

[cpost]

I've had my 2004 26M for about 8 months and was able to "practice" last season in Sept and Oct before the boat came out of the water for the winter. I'm thinking of taking sailing lessons this year from the marina but was wondering if anyone has ever learned to sail from watching one of the many "learn to sail" dvd's and if so which one? Or is it better to just to take some lessons at the marina .. just looking for an alternative since the lessons are quite exspensive($200.00 hr).

[c130king]

That seems kind of expensive in my mind. In Florida (St. Augustine Sailing) I was able to take the ASA 101 & 103 Combo course...3 days on the water (probably > 16 hours sailing) for under $600 (Oct 2006). I think the single ASA 101 course (2 days on the water in a J-24) is $395.

Haven't viewed any of the CDs. But I have read about 4 or 5 learning to sail type books. Don't know how much the CDs cost but maybe take that plunge, watch the videos, read a book or two, and then go back out and practice it on your own again. If you still feel "uncertain" then you can look into spending a few more $$ for lessons. And maybe you can find a sailing school near your area that is cheaper than the marina's $200/hr.

Good Luck,
Jim

[tangentair]

200 per hour seems really expensive, I put my youngest into sailing classes (then he just hangs out at the marina/beach) each summer rather than send him to day camp and I usually pay 175 on base to 300 at the local Park District for at least 8 to 10 hours of instruction. The is currently taking a racing class for 8 weeks on Saturday mornings from 9 to noon and I think it was 275. For 200 an hour, take a vacation to the British Virgin Islands and sign up for a course, you could get the flight and the class for 6 hours of your training.
Another cheap alternative is to sign up for the free Netflix (Blockbuster does not have as many) and get a bunch of their videos (I cannot tell you to copy them and send them back the same day) then cancel or keep the service. They are going to give you some hints and tips and you will quickly see that there is no substitute - even instructor lead classroom training - for being on the water in a boat with someone offering targeted suggestions and criticism.

[richandlori]

Sailing classes are great to take....but I would recommend only taking them after you have some time/experience on you boat. This way...you will get a lot more out of the lessons. Even better is to have an experienced sailor come and go sailing with You on Your boat and not some sailing dingy.

When we bought THIRD DAY, we took ASA 104 and 105 prior to bringing her to Port San Luis from Santa Cruz, Ca and we had our sailing instructor/delivery captain come with us on the 3day trip. We learned more in that time at sea with the retired bridge officer of the USS Nimitz then we could have imagined!

[KayakDan]

Rich is right about getting some experience on your boat first,then taking lessons. You will be able to concentrate on improving what you know from experience.
I learned to sail with a friend on his 28,then 35ft boat years ago,then I didn't sail for several years. When I bought my first sailboat,my wife wanted to take lessons,so I decided to take ASA 101 with her. It's amazing how much an experienced sailor can learn from these courses.

Depending on where you are in NJ,here's a link to a school showing $360 for a 2 day ASA 101 or $60/hr instruction on your boat.
http://www.sailingnj.com/lessons.html

BVI is a great place to sail,and I'll bet it's a great way to learn to sail.

[dennisneal]

Here's a good website that's free!

It offers a lot of basic information and is probably as good as, or better than a "Learn to Sail" DVD. One can spend more than a few hours going over this material.

Its from the U.S. Sailing Association.

http://www.smallboat.sailingcourse.com/

[Bob McLellan]

That is a really neat site. Was not aware of it before. And, their CD is only $20

[Scott]

Another suggestion would be to hitch a ride with an old salt or 2 and bombard them with questions.

Unless you plan on racing pure theory would not serve you wel as Macs are "control lite".

Take a little from each person you sail with and make it your own. Its amazing how 5 sailors can have 5 answers to the same question and not in rare instances all 5 will be right.

A DVD would be a good place to learn theory and procedure. The water is a good place to learn to sail.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Handling the Mac X has been a learning experience, in comparison to my prior boats.

Last weekend I spent some time single handling my "X" and practicing the "Mac Spin"--turning the boat on one spot with fins down, and engine running less than 500 rpm. This manuever is an important one, especially docking in ones own marina, or visiting friends & tieing up within their marinas. I even motored into "tight" areas within local marinas, messed around with turns, and practiced. I'm doing the "Mac-spin" quite well, but more confidence is needed.

Whenever possible, I enjoy watching sail-boaters dock, tie up, and watch their skills--Ive seen some inexperienced poorly skilled mistakes.

[Uncle Jim]

The Admiral just took the Womanship course at a cost of $600 for two days of on boat instruction. Bad weather, cold and rainy and she still loved it ready to take the next dozen or so classes. I have some experience from 20+ years ago so I’m gonna wait until I’ve put a few hours on the water again before starting the courses. I can read all of the books and web based info but to me doing is learning, like Red Green said, “I learn from doing, then fixing what I did”

Jim

[Gerry the fish]

Like they said above - I higly recommend personal instruction.

Read the free websites, potter around on any boat you can jump on and take the class. ASA classes are well worth the time/$$$. Check out local community colleges - some offer the ASA classes.

And dont pay $200 per hour.

I still have a lot to learn, I get confused when too many things happen at once, but you get a lot of tips, helps build confidence - can also help if the classes are in your regular cruising ground - the old salty instructors have lots of local knowledge.

[TerryB89]

You might look into taking classes with the United States Power Squadron, they have all kinds of classes,including sailing 101 & 102
for about $40 each.

http://www.usps.org/newpublic2/index.html