Does anyone else here sail?

[emily_in_nc]

My DH and I have just put a contract in on a 1989 Catalina 30. We're so excited, but scared too! We have only sailed small daysailers by ourselves, but we've taken a bunch of classes and are both certified in ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, and 114, so we've sailed larger boats with a captain. Still, this is an entirely new adventure! I'd love to discuss it further if anyone else here is a sailor... I only know men who sail, no other women.

Emily

[Blueberry]

I don't, but wanted to say congratulations!!!! Where do you plan to keep it docked?

CA

[Xrayted]

The last sailboat I was on was a 34" Catalina. What a gorgeous boat. I love the lines and details of those boats. I'm sure you will have a wonderful experience on her. Just start with taking her out with the engine and then let her loose. Congrats!!

[mimitabby]

I went sailing down a hill today; on my bike!
I WAS SAILING!!!

[emily_in_nc]

I don't, but wanted to say congratulations!!!! Where do you plan to keep it docked?

Thanks CA! We're excited! We're going to start at a small marina in Washington, NC, which is the shortest drive for us. However, we might change to New Bern after the first year as a couple of folks at work are members of a sailing club and marina there, and it's less expensive and sounds more social and lots of fun. Didn't know about it til we signed the year lease at the first place, but that will be a good place to start as it's more "rural" and fewer boats around, so we can practice to our heart's content!

Emily

[salsabike]

I don't sail now but I used to, both on Lake Erie and here in Puget Sound. I even crewed on some races here, both coed and women's races, the latter of which were a ton of fun. You will do fine on your new boat--you already know the basic stuff you really need to know, so once you do a few sails and get to know the boat, it'll be great. Keep us periodically posted!

[Pika]

Both DH and I sail- we have a santana 525 mainly just used for racing- DH would love to get a bigger boat for overnight trips- we can tolerate a weekend in the 525 but as I said it is pretty stripped out for racing.( It would be like comparing backpacking to camping in an RV)
This year I am on a team entered in the canadian national keelboat womens regatta Hopefully we won't be chewed up and spit out the back- we still need lots of practice!!!
Have fun on your boat- you'll be great I bet- nothing beats getting out there and practicing and just enjoying your boat
Have fun!

[7rider]

Wow. Congratulations! My old boss got a 34' Catalina and we got to sail on it. It was a really great time.

DH grew up sailling. I grew up with motorboats. The only sailing I did was on a Sunfish and an occasional HobieCat.

DH spends his free time looking for the perfect sailboat for us, is a regular reader of Soundings and Good Old Boat magazines. Good Old Boat is a great reference for boaters sailing "older" boats. If we had a good crop come off the money tree, and lots of time to ride bikes, kayak, AND sail, we'd probably get on a Freedom or a Nonsuch in the 28' - 33' range. Our dream retirement is to sail the Circle Route before settling into a "Sail and bike all summer, Ski (and bike) all winter" kind of life.

I've been looking at this place to take some sailing lessons. It's been a while since I've taken a USCG Boating Safety class, too.

Do a Google search on women's sailing clubs in your area and see if anyting turns up.

Congrats, and wishing you smooth sailing!