Sailing Buddies

[David W Pratt]

Hello All:
Just moved to RI. I would like to find some sailing buddies in Narragansett Bay. My wife will sail from time to time, but doesn't have my appetite for it. I've singlehanded her, but would like company, experienced or not. BTW she is a 30', gaff rigged cutter.
Hope to hear from you soon,
David

[Ken Hutchins]

I would drive to RI for that, my brother has a plastic boat at Pleasant st Marine. Where are the obligatory photos of the boat? smile.gif

[ahp]

Volunteer at the Museum of Yachting, at Ft. Adams in Newport. They are a nice bunch. Every now and then during the long winter they will gather at Zelda's on Thames Street in Newport and talk BOATS.

[Meerkat]

Isn't this Uncas' neighborhood?

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

Originally posted by Meerkat:
Isn't this Uncas' neighborhood?Not yet ;) he is heading up with me and others from his home port in MD in Aug.

David W Pratt come to the WB show in Newport in August I'm sure you will find a few like minded sailors ;)

[Wild Wassa]

DWP, at the local sailing club, they have a book that has two sections called 'crews wanted' and 'wanting to crew'. Next time you are passing a yacht club, stop and have a look.

Advice to crew. I have no trouble finding boats to crew. It gets to the point of saying no, but thanks. I always say to the Skippers, sorry this time Skipper but please don't hesitate to invite me next time, when you're after crew. They will get back to you.

In fact, I haven't Skippered a boat this year (except when training), it has been one of the best years on the water that I've had. I'm more of a crew than a Skipper, let the Skipper worry about it, but don't let the Skipper call the tactics ... otherwise change Skippers.

Advice to Skippers. Skippers are expendable ... good crew and tacticians aren't.

Warren.

[ 06-07-2005, 10:44 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[ahp]

More thoughts about volunteering at the Museum of Yachting: every now and then they pay off their volunteers by taking them for a sail. Twice I have been out for an afternoon on the schooner AURORA, with wine and cheese. I also got an afternoon sail on SHAMROCK V, the J boat. Sorry, the Museum desn't have her anymore.

The Museum owns and actively races the 12 Meter COURAGEOUS every weekend during the summer. You might volunteer for a crew slot.

They also maitain in sailing condition the 30 Square Meter OREOLE, the Dark Harbor 17, BANDWAGON, and the Herreshoff Fish, whose name I have forgotten, but I have sailed.

If you volunteer as a boat keeper you could sail one of these quite often. You would have to commit yourself to quite a bit of time though. Think about it.

[PatCassidy]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y267/Pat558/CALIF_97.jpg
Check out the tall ships in the area (American Sail Training Association). I started sailing on the Californian as a volunteer crew in 1997 - mostly weekends. Offer to do some real work and you will be welcome on most boats. A six-pack or two does not hurt either. Just walked up to the boat and introduced myself. The Californian was only in port about five months of the years. In 2000 I was invited to join for the trip from Acapulco to Panama and then from Los Angeles to Hawaii the following year. Sure put a dent in my vacation schedule but it was great fun.

[ 06-08-2005, 09:21 PM: Message edited by: PatCassidy ]

[Eric R]

The only tallship in Narragansett Bay, apart from some charter schooners in Newport is the square topsail sloop Providence.

I second the advice about volunteering at the yacht museum. Those are some seriously fine boats you'd get to sail.

The great thing about RI is that around here everyone and his brother owns a boat. More than likely you'll be able to find some sailing buddies just by hanging around the waterfront. And if you're in the Greenwich Cove area (my territory, so to speak), try visiting New England Yacht Rigging, chances are they'll be able to hook you up with some sailing people.

[David W Pratt]

Thanks for all the help. All good suggestions.