Washington west coast, need sailing lessons

[fjalt]

Well, since I live fairly close to Seattle and I don't want to pay big bucks to a professional sailing school, I thought I'd check and see if any folks here at the forum would be willing to take me out as an unseasoned hand. I'm buying a wooden boat in Boston and will be going back in the fall to motor it down to Florida, so I thought this summer I'd get as much sailing in as I can. thanks

[DGentry]

While not sailing lessons, per se, it is very easy to become a crew aboard a sailboat at least once or twice per week.

All you have to do is contact a local yacht club and let them know you are interested in crewing for someone during a race. Some skipper is always looking for extra railmeat, often with no experience required whatsoever.
There are series races - every Wed night or Sat morning, for instance - and weekend regattas. Some boat owner will be happy to have you, esp if you can commit to a whole series of races. You can learn lots, and it's fun!

Of course, taking "real" lessons might be a darn good idea if you are going to be travelling the entire E coast! There's a lot more to cruising than just learning how to make your boat go under sail.

Good luck!
Dave Gentry

[johnw]

Center for Wooden Boats offers classes. Not a bad program.

http://www.cwb.org/sailnow-session-3-2009

Okay, I helped start it. Still, it's a good program, and the place is worth visiting even if you don't take any classes.

[Yeadon]

John is right. But you should also become a CWB member, then get yourself checked out to sail the livery boats on Lake Union. You'll become a master at swiveling a small boat between sea planes, commercial traffic, kayakers and local drunks on Bayliners.

You should also volunteer there ... in turn you'll get free livery hours.

[Bob Triggs]

The Wooden Boat Foundation: www.woodenboat.org (http://www.woodenboat.org)

They have a tremendous sailing program, all ages and all levels. I see them out there in the small boats nearly every day now.

[fjalt]

I appreciate all the suggestions and I will definitely check out each one. thanks Joseph