Interested in sailing. No knowledge of boating, but reading. Inland lakes, rivers. Maybe lake Erie. Advice?

Question

The idea of sailing fascinates me and I've picked up books from the library just to learn whatever I can.

Today I purchased the only boating book that my local bookstore had, Steve Sleight's "The New Complete Sailing Manual".

I've never been around the water much and never spent any time on boats. I even have a tendancy to get motion sickness which I understand can be overcome by wearing a patch.

Other than reading and maybe joining a club to learn more and take lessons, I don't know what else to do.

I may or may not buy or build a kit boat for lakes in the future but I'm just playing with ideas for now as far as a boat goes.

The waters that I'm aware of around here for playing are Buckeye Lake, Hoover Reservoir, and Alum Creek State Park in Ohio.

I'm open to any advice that one would care to share with me as far as boats to own for a family of three and maybe a few friends.

Any advice for getting started sailing would be great too.

Thanks in advance to all.

The answers I have recieved so far, as of three days after posting my question, are most excellent and I thank each and every one of you so much for your response.

I have decided to extend the answer period because of such a variety of responses and I'm like a kid in a candy store in that I don't want to miss anything that anyone would care to add.

I've saved every link sent to me so that I can easily go back and check them out at my leisure. Thanks for all of them.

As for a best answer, there is absolutely no way that I could even begin to choose so, I will open that up to you folks to choose amongst yourselves for you who have the knowledge that I seek surely are a much better judge of what is the more deserving answer.

Additional answers are gladly accepted and encouraged.

In the event you wish to share more info with me through email, please place the word, "SAILING" in the subject line so that I wont delete it thinking that it may be spam.

[e-mail]
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Answer 1

Take some classes from local park district or private schools. I took one sailing class for about $300. It was for 5 days and 3 hrs per day. It was darn worth it because the class taught me search and rescue skills besides the basic sailing skills.

Answer 2

As you see from the other answers.
Sailors are a practical bunch & always willing to help out.
All good observations.
Since you mentioned lake Erie, would add that there is a rule of thumb that for a first time owner, it might be best to go with the smallest boat that is suitable & safe for the worst conditions you might expect. esp if trailering is a requirement.
There can be too much or too little boat for your intended use.
Always a good idea to visit marinas & clubs to pick the brains of the locals.
After a while, you will get a handle on what might be best for you. in terms of size, new or used & what your wallet can take.
Sailed the lower Hudson river for many years & conditions there, as on lake Erie can change fast.
You can go from a leisurely cruise to white knuckles very quickly.
So keep an eye out for ease of handling & safety for the number of passengers.
There are substantial boats in the 25 to 30 foot range( even smaller) that are up to almost any weather that will have decent room below for shelter,changing , cooking, sleeping , & a head .
Anyhow sailing is a joy, some art ,some science,as well as a sport.
Learn well & you will never regret it.
Getting a little misty since I just parted with my boat, so that's it for me.
Best regards

Answer 3

Go to Alum Creek and check out the sailing association. Find out which night is their race night and show up on that evening, and tell anybody you see that you're volunteering to crew. That will get you out on the water because there's always somebody with space for one more. Same with Hoover.
It's a bit late in the season for racing but it will start again in the spring.
Regarding building a boat: it can be fun but it's totally different from sailing. In other words, there are many builders who aren't much into sailing and most sailors don't build. If you're handy and have perseverence, building can be a lot of fun.
If you're new to sailing your best bet is to try out a bunch of small boats and see which one you like best, then think about buying one used. Another consideration is whether you will have crew. Many small boats have a helmsman and one or two crew and many helmsmen are always looking for reliable crew. You can sail for years without ever owning a boat.
If you're in Columbus, Lake Erie is a good place to sail but it takes a while to get there so you really have to be committed. I keep my boat at the Sandusky Sailing Club and it takes at least 2 hours to get there from Columbus. The small lakes near Columbus are a much better place to start sailing because they're easier to get to for lessons, etc.

Answer 4

I beleive Alum has boat clubs and such which would, if not take you for a sail, give you all the info you need. We have sailors here in Huron, living in the Columbus area, which have sailed there. For Lake Erie, marinas in Sandusky and Harbor North in Huron have sailing lessons/schools. You can also charter with a captain to give it a try. A while spent with a web search should provide gobs of info. At the same time you can start looking at boats and getting advice. Three sailors will get you twelve opinions. The basics of sailing are not difficult and getting on the water and doing is how you learn.

Answer 5

Hoover Sailing Club is an excellent place to start...Check out Flying Scots for starters. I know that someone there will take you out for a sail. I spent five years sailing there & joined Scot sailors for a weekend to Put-in-Bay. Flying Scots are a great single handed boat, can sail with six, very stable & best of all there is ALWAYS a buyers & sellers market for new or used boats. Scots are easily trailerable if you want to sail the other lakes you mentioned.Racing at Hoover will hone up you skills quickly. Joining the club is optional. Crewing is a great way to start without any expenditure at all. BTW some Hoover sailors have partnered on charter boats in the Bahamas.

http://www.fssa.com/ for info on Scots & check fleet info for local information.

Answer 6

That's exactly how I started sailing, by reading books. Bought a seafarer 24 and took it to Lake Erie, and just went for it. Pick your day, winds 10 knots or less, and start off with just the main. You will find a large community at most marinas that will be glad to help, if not offer to take you sailing with them. Sailing can be so much fun, but it's not rocket science. Anyone can learn, I've had 7 year olds steer my 30 Lydia, so hey, go for it! Good luck to you.

Answer 7

I had a very similar experience with sailing. I read about it a lot. I now have a 23 foot sloop. But I learned how to sail on much smaller boats. Taking sailing courses would help greatly. But they are not necessary. Learn all you can through the books, and then apply those principles in real life on a boat (preferably a small one). I do suggest having an experienced sailor with you your first time out. A good boat to start out with would be a Laser. They are easy to sail and easy to right if you flip over. Hobie Cats are a great deal of fun as well.

Answer 8

I know you're across the Pond and I'm in the UK, but it fascinated me, too.
After I'd retired, I booked a course of sailing lessons under the auspices of the "Royal Yachting Association", held at a lake about 10 miles from where I lived.
At the age of 60, I learned to sail a small dingy - I was the first of our group to volunteer to do a "capsize recovery" (in ice-cold water in December, without a wet suit) reckoning that if the youngsters saw an "old woman" do it, they'd be less frightened. I passed the tests and have my RYA 1 & 2 sailing proficiency Certificates.
I get sea sick too, but was OK in the dingy. In fact I loved it.
There must be a similar Organisation in your neck of the woods and I would say, "Go for it, lad". The organisers will be able to advise you how to proceed with your dream of owning/building a boat.
P.S. I now do all my cruising in a small aluminium narrow boat with all mod cons on board - when you get to 70 it's time to slow down, a bit.

Answer 9

I learned on a Sunfish after reading several books in the library. I was about 12 at the time. It had a single lateen sail and was very small. You had to wear a swimsuit because you got wet. You learned what not to do and how it all basically worked. With that knowledge, I moved up into larger craft.

Answer 10

This first link has a lot of free videos. Some may start with a short advertisement. This first man scroll down and you see his videos. On the right you find more. It not a super duper thing, but, it free;
http://www.expertvillage.com/interviews/sailing-lessons.htm

These next two links are boat plans. The first are free and just photo copies from old magazines. The second the man sells, some of his books have many of the plans, though it take a magnifying glass to see. You can build a boat from the book.
http://www.svensons.com/boat/
http://www.instantboats.com/
I explain the second link. This type of boat construction many call; "Stitch and Glue" when you follow the plans and get your parts cut, it goes together like a puzzle and makes for a nice boat and cheap. Many, like myself, enjoy building these boats for fun and hobby. They not require a lot of money and it just fun to do, though sometimes it can be frustrating. Build something like the canoe to start, 2 sheets of plywood and some fiberglass. Build for less than $100. I just bought the book; "Instant Boatbuilding with Dynamite Payson" and built the canoe, was a little frustrating gluing the 2 sheets of plywood but I got it done and just fiberglassed my seams to keep costs down. For a winter project I going to build "Catfish". There is a Forum where you can talk with others for help and ideas.

This link is amazon.com This a good book to learn. It covers types of sailboats, some theory, weather, compass etc. This an older version and a used book is cheaper. The old may not cover more modern technology, but, I think it tells some about GPS. If, you search the name you will find the newer versions, but, for the money this old one pretty good.
http://www.amazon.com/Annapoli-Book-Seamanship-Cruising-Under/dp/B00007AJDB/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/102-2572139-4245768?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1191590305&sr=8-2

This last link is interesting. The man explain Sail Design and balance. My never use it, but, it can help a person know why a mast and sails have to be properly positioned for Balance.
http://www.boatbuilding-links.de/Jim-Michalak/sail-math-and-thoughts-of.html