I recently had the opportunity to go on a sailboat for the first time and I would be understating things to say it left quite a impression.

Since then when time permits have found myself reading lots of materials regarding sailing and sailing adventures. With the holiday commitments winding down have been looking at doing a couple of the courses on offer locally (Sydney) with a view to getting more sailing experience on people boats, i.e.: crewing etc.

Which brings me to the question. I'm mid 40's and only fair to average fitness level, though willing to improve this. Once I get the basics down do you think my plan to get time on other peoples boats crewing is realistic or am I 20yrs too late?

The body adapts to anything you throw at it. Or throw it at. You'll be cool. Sailing is like riding a bike. Once you learn about jibing/gybing and don't go near a spinnaker for the first few years you'll be cool. It's easy.

Obsession,

Don't let your age hold you back one bit.

A woman names Ann Gash started sailing in her mid fifties after the untimely death of her husband. She joined a club and learnt how to sail as a crew member of an all woman yacht racing somewhere in Pittwater. She went on to purchase an 26 ft Folkboat and in 1975 set out to sail single handed around the world. Her story is told in a book called "a star to steer her by". I didn't use capitals on the book name as that is how it appears on the book cover.
Most yacht clubs will point you in the direction of a boat that is looking for crew and just be honest with them and tell them you are a learner. Most skippers would be more than happy to have you on board and show you what to do. In a few weeks you will be quite comfortable and look forward to your next time out. Don't let the racing part put you off. It is without a doubt the best way to learn how to sail a boat as the racing fraternity want the best performance from their boats and you will learn about boat balance, sail trim in no time at all as well as a host of other stuff.
You may not be interested in racing but what you learn on a performance (or family) racing yacht is fundamental to everything you do on a cruising yacht and you will use every bit of what you learn every time you go sailing once you get your own boat.
It is a very addictive pass time.
cheers, Rick

Obsession28, you'd probably be the youngest member if you joined the club that's located at the marina where I keep my boat. (I hope I don't get in trouble again for writing that) With my limited experience of clubs, mid forties would put you in the lower age group for the Wednesday & Saturday afternoon sailors. Get down there NOW!

Wow...Thanx for all the replies. Sounds like I might be on the right track.

I am going to put aside some money in case the opportunity for a cheap seaworthy boat comes up with reasonable sails. Sailing on my own time and fixing up a boat sounds like a good way to learn. But learning off other people is my immediate plan

Quite a few clubs around the Sydney Harbour area, anyway have recommendations on which are the more active for sailing?

Thanks again for the positive thoughts.

Obsession, you can do some crewing down at RANSA - www.ransa.com.au/home/ I recommend going down there one day before or after their race time, find a friendly face and ask about crewing. There's a whiteboard just inside which has boats looking for crew and crew looking for boats. Try to get some experience on different boats.

And trust me, there's nothing as expensive as a cheap boat!

Hi obsession 28, like yourself I had limited sailing experience before I purchased my boat 18 months ago. Hired a skipper to sail her from Bundaberg to Mooloolaba. Best 2 days ever.
That guy taught me more about sailing than I recon you'd learn in any course. Lucky for me a friend is an old salt and has been happy to be my coach.
Learning more every time we take her out. It's amazing how many people I know who have been sailors st some stage. They just keep coming out of the wood work
Go for it

McNaughtical said..

DrRog said..
Obsession, you can do some crewing down at RANSA - www.ransa.com.au/home/ I recommend going down there one day before or after their race time, find a friendly face and ask about crewing. There's a whiteboard just inside which has boats looking for crew and crew looking for boats. Try to get some experience on different boats.

And trust me, there's nothing as expensive as a cheap boat!

There's also www.findacrew.net.au , which will connect you with boats looking for crew.

Thanks for those suggestions. Have been ringing around a bit today.

With the thousands in course costs and more of the same to race, I can see much pampering of my missus in the near future.

mid 40s is young dude!

SandS said..

obsession28 said..

McNaughtical said..

DrRog said..
Obsession, you can do some crewing down at RANSA - www.ransa.com.au/home/ I recommend going down there one day before or after their race time, find a friendly face and ask about crewing. There's a whiteboard just inside which has boats looking for crew and crew looking for boats. Try to get some experience on different boats.

And trust me, there's nothing as expensive as a cheap boat!

There's also www.findacrew.net.au , which will connect you with boats looking for crew.

Thanks for those suggestions. Have been ringing around a bit today.

With the thousands in course costs and more of the same to race, I can see much pampering of my missus in the near future.

hey again Obsession , most clubs will offer "crew" membership . The cost for that wont be thousands , more like a hundred per annum .

its a great way to sail on heaps of different yachts as well .

If you come to Tassie, full membership in the Huon Yacht Club will cost you $45 a year for a single person or $55 for a family huonyachtclub.org, the waterways are amazing for cruising and the racing is competitive but friendly

Regards Don

obsession28 said..

SandS said..




hey again Obsession , most clubs will offer "crew" membership . The cost for that wont be thousands , more like a hundred per annum .

its a great way to sail on heaps of different yachts as well .

Crew membership seems to be age limited to under 30 from what I've seen so far. Probably a Sydney thing.

But all good, get some basic training under my belt and see whats what

If you are in your mid 40's down here on the Huon you would be one of the youngest members in the club

I am 51 and on the boat I race on I am the youngest of the 5 on board with the owner/skipper being the oldest at 73 and has been sailing all his life and is brilliant on the helm

Good luck finding a spot on a boat and if you hunt around I am sure you will be able to find boats with crew around your age

Regards Don