Hi,

I'm wanting to learn to sail, so have bought a little 14 ft Maricat. I'll be mooring it off Victoria Point (south of Brisbane) as Redland Bay is the most sheltered local place I could think of to learn. I also volunteer with a group called SAILS - I'm usually on the kayaking side (kayak lifeguard) but will be doing skipper training on their 14 ft maricat's on Saturday.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice for me? I've never sailed before - planning on taking it very slowly. My almost 5 year old son is very keen to come out too - I was thinking of hugging the coast (lifejackets on obviously) or going between the islands down there, and trailing a sit on top kayak behind us for him to grab onto if anything went wrong. I'm thinking it'll be a lovely way for the kids to grow up, but don't want to take it too fast or get into any trouble.

i have no idear about the naricats design but if it does have a jib .. i think .. rigging it up but rapping it around the forstay almost like a roller furler jib on a yachy .. that just takes 1 more think out of your mind for the first couple of times ..backpack plenty of water straped to the mast under the vang ...

My advice would be to join a sailing club (one that races Catamaran) and join in for their races. Sailing around buoys is the best way to learn how to sail as you are forced to sail in particular directions and will learn how to go upwind efficiently. You will also get great support from them and on the water assistance if you get into any trouble.

The problem with most people who get into sailing is they do not engage a club, try to learn on their own and either get a good scare or lose interest, turning them away from the sport. Do not be intimidated by the 'racing' factor. There will be people from beginners all the way up to International quality racers.

1st lesson will be to learn how to steer. Go out without sails and have someone paddle around a course with you steering. Then swap. Do this until you feel competent in steering. Then learn how to capsize and recover.

Once you have done that, practice sailing at right angles to the breeze gybe around heading back the other way, then tack back and repeat.

Then practice tacking upwind, turn around and sail down wind, gybe and sail back upwind and repeat. Ask someone at a club to explain these terms and points of sail and follow these drills.

I have taught people to sail at club level and at the NSW Academy of Sport and can tell you these drills will fast track your skills to become a sailor quicker and more efficiently than any other I have seen. I have taught complete novices how to sail competently around a race course in only 4 days.

Good luck and enjoy.

Remember also to always respect the water and weather as it can turn on you very quickly

Safe sailing to you
Stephen

hey stephen welcome to sailing you are going to love it i have a maricat as well have sailed out at vicky point i would be willing to help out if only for someone else to sail with a good person to know is rosco from brisbane catamarans i would be lost without him and his patients with lamans like myself merry xmas to you and your son