Learning to Sail and How to Find Your Way Onto Sailboats On Any Budget

The Cruising Dream Mini Series - Episode 1

This is a special mini series where I try and break down common questions I get for people who are just getting into sailing or who are interested in long term cruising but are having trouble finding out information about various aspects of the life.

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Fair Winds,
James

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[ultimate]

Knowledge is key, and it's good that you're sharing yours for us dreamers.

[VIJAYzk]

its good to see wisdom spread through a sailing channel instead of just the lifestyle.

[SkyScorpions]

Your channel has slowly been luring me toward the idea of learning to sail and getting a small boat to do island/ocean sailing.
This 1st episode of the mini series was great, I’m super appreciative of the knowledge you’re sharing, and I’m here for what’s to come!

[sailingwiththeerros]

I started sailing nearly 3 years ago at the age of 50-51. The local yacht club has been fantastic. From little sailing dinghies to off shore racing to afternoon sail. For anyone with the sailing dream- Go and make it happen. I wish I'd done it much, much sooner. Hot tip: Find an old sailor and convince them to take you under their wing and then hassle them every few days to go sailing. You will both get something out of the experiance.

[AshleyH-khvj]

Watching this from the v berth of my new (to me) sailboat 💜
Thanks for doing all that you do!

[violetglendenning]

thank you for this. your advice is straight to the point and incredibly helpful to new sailors. just turned 18 and bought a CAL-30 in cuba earlier this year, although i’ve done the atlantic crossing and been at sea for 8 years this is the first time for me sailing solo, doing all the work myself and it is very rewarding. always think it is important to absorb as much information as possible because i know it will come in useful when i least expect it.

[xenu-dark-tony]

I've been slowly getting more and more into James's videos. He's an incredibly nice person with clear, excellent knowledge and the rare ability to impart it clearly. He really is a great person, and his videos are bloody good too.

[gavbarker]

What a great analogy, "you start sailing with a full bag of luck, and an empty bag of experience. You need to fill the bag of experience, before the bag of luck runs out".... I'm having that one!!!

[teapotblack]

Thats actually great advice for myself as i bought a 29 foot westerly konsort twin keel to live aboard knowing nothing about sailing in December last year and i absolutely love living on it but the amount of times sailor friends have offered to teach me but its never materialised and 6 months later my boats still not left the marina, so i will try this. Thanks for the videos, much appreciated.

[bharris]

What perfect timing. I literally moved to Rio Dulce, Guatemala a week ago and bought a sailboat with nothing but coastal sailing experience. Thanks very much.

[usefulcommunication]

Excellent. Thanks. You're right about dinghy sailing. Excellent fun. I'm an older fart who's spent a life in the air (upside down, usually). However, one of my daughters got into sailing when she was around 12, going off to camps, and even sailing through a hurricane on a passage from Scotland to Sweden a few years ago (luckily I didn't hear about the hurricane until she was back on dry land). I bought her a dinghy to blast around the local lake on, but still had no interest myself.

Then, when she went off to college, the dinghy sat collecting dust in the garage, and one sunny, spring day I thought, "How hard can it be?" Read a book, dragged it down to the lake, and launched. I sailed like I flew (mostly upside down), but what a scream. I can't believe I almost completely missed out on the experience. I now whizz about in it whenever I can. The people in my local town look a bit odd at the old fart squeezing himself into a dinghy down at the dock, but I love it.

I've decided that my final chapter will be spent exploring the planet by sail. I went off for a week's course on a 50ft Beneteau, and it was great. Very easy - even with knackered sails. It felt like a big dinghy on the helm. Sail handling, balancing, and trimming was easy. Even docking the beast was simple. Including in a gale force wind and rain - easier than the dinghy in a way, because it's just so slow and predictable. It was also much nicer than I expected to live in. So I think I fit boats, and boats fit me. Never thought that would be the case.

Maybe see you out there a few years from now.

[larryb]

James, experienced or newbie dreamer, you did a real good job promoting sailing and providing solid information, completely unexpected...looking forward to the next 4 chapters...and I sure didn't think that when you changed tack to this course...you can be sure I will share with others the great value you have placed here

[brettbippert]

Been looking for a good concise series like this to learn where to start, great insight!

[jimbobschell]

Awesome series starter. My wife and I took a basic keel boat class (we thought it was worth the cost, non ASA) and bought an 18 foot trailer sailor for $1200. We love it and are enjoying the process.

[oogabooga]

Hey James, this is great. Can't wait for tomorrow. If you come across a disabled sailor their experience would be good to hear. I live on a barge in a marina and you have inspired me to get on with sailing. I had to get fit first so bought an adapted trike and now cycle about 12 miles a day. I also hope to do some disabled racing on the Isle of Wight to improve my sailing skills. It is very difficult to get a place as crew when you are disabled as often your disability goes against you. Thanks again.

[SVOpal]

I did it the way you said not to. I bought a boat it was a small boat and put it on a local lake then upgraded that boat to a Catalina 25 to sail on the lake, now I have the Catalina and a contessa 26. Refitting the contessa 26 for ocean passage. I have made many mistakes on the lake recovered and learned along the way. I can’t wait for the ocean adventure I think the contessa will take care of me while I further my adventures.

[alexandramorkin]

Really appreciate you taking the time to discuss the basics. Great series!😊

[randystrand]

James, I'm brand new to your channel. I just finished your mini series and I am exactly the audience you had in mind. Can't thank you enough for putting your experience & knowledge into this series.
I've been a couch sailor for about three years and your info & perspective have been perhaps The Most useful I've come across!
I'm now retired yet still have commitments that hold me landlocked, but still hope to someday live on water...
A friend is loaning me his Lazer so I'm excited to start my "training!"

[ericbergdahl]

James you gave very good advice to those who are interested in sailing. Thank you for helping answer some questions about getting started. Look forward to seeing more.

[TheCharlieHuman]

Excellent idea for an informative and valuable series, really letting it sink in. Thanks for taking the time to do this!