jbarnes85 said..
Hi,

I am desperate to learn to sail but not sure how to go about it. I have done a dinghy course a while ago. I am considering doing a crewing course or a private course but the timing/availability of them means I would have to wait a while.

If anyone would welcome me on their boat I would be happy to pay in wine or even happy to pay cash (given I am willing to pay for courses).

Although not experienced at sailing I am a kitesurfer/foiler (so have some understanding of wind) and also a climber (so understand rope work) so I am reasonably confident that I can pick up sailing. I am also now addicted to watching sailing YouTubes and reading sailing instructional books. I am also a reasonably fit 33 yo.

My main aim is to buy a small/medium yacht at some stage.

Any advice welcome.

Thanks, Jack

i know some people that always need crew. twighlights and saturday racing in summer. learn very quick!!
pm me and ill give you some deets

buy a mooring minder and try not to bump in other boats

I head out at any given opportunity, Kiter /ex climber as well. PM me with details, happy to teach if your willing to learn.
Will be bringing her back from Pittwater to Sydney when I return to Oz in August.
My yacht runs on Wind, Diesel, Propane, Solar and Alcohol... tends to consume the latter mostly.
Theres generally 2 programs to learn in sailing.
1- How to run/know/fix a yacht and not kill yourself, others or sink it
2- How to sail it as fast as possible

The second is best on someone else's boat in racing, where stuff is stressed till either you win or it breaks... don't do it to your own.

I can provide most of the basics of the first on, pay it forward, others taught me, though I also did Comp crew, and Coastal Skipper, raced, and cruised part of the Pacific for a few months, and still am learning every time I'm out.

Ive also got the RYA books somewhere that are worth reading, even the basic introduction to keel boats is a great place to start to learn the names of things.

Theres a book called 'Trimming' or something like that from North Sails, yes even minor things add up when your chasing that extra 0.5knot, but you don't need that for awhile