Association Forum - "Dad, I want to learn how to sail..."

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

"Dad, I want to learn how to sail..."

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Don B
Captain

Member Avatar

USA
317 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/10/2009 : 11:18:32

One of the reasons I got into sailing a few years ago, was the hope of spending time with, and introducing my son to a new experience we both could share. Seems as the teenage years came around, the priorities for my son became, girls, cars, friends, and more girls. Apparently, I’m old enough to not remember that these things have the same power of attraction as the earth’s gravitational pull does on a satellite in low orbit. Anyway, fast forward to last week, a few days before spring break. My son informed me he was invited to go on a trip with his friend’s family with a possible destination being Key West. Seems the family has an Irwin 65! I’ve seen this beautiful boat, in it’s slip, while sailing on the Manatee River. The owner often single hands her as all line lead to the helm area, electric winches, AND 3 heads (not that that helps you single hand but I had to mention). After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I explained that he absolutely could not go…and that I would be taking his place. When he realized I was kidding, he further explained that there really wasn’t a set schedule but that Key West was discussed. He’s been gone a few days now and I’ve received a few text messages updating me along the way. After the first day of sailing, departing from Tampa Bay, they decided to pull into Boca Grande to get some rest. The next day they explored the town and decided to forget about Key West (that would be pushing it as the kids are back in school Monday) and hang and chill around the waters of Charlotte Harbor.

This morning at 1:00 AM my phone rings. With an exhausted sounding voice, my son fills me in on some of their adventures over the last few days.. of which include a run to Cabbage Key, while anchored off Useppa Island. He explained that after a short period of time on land, he was glad to get back on the boat. Seems the sea legs are a new sensation. He couldn’t see the smile on my face when he described the full moon, beautiful sun rises, and sunsets. They don’t know where they will head today, but that’s not a problem.

One of the last things he mentioned before hanging up…”Dad, I want to learn to sail”.

Don B
86FK/SR #5216 "Mighty M"
Southwest Florida

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 11:49:50

Hah! That's a fine thing!

Edited by - on

John P
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
324 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 11:52:29

So Great!

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

2402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 11:54:09

cool

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 11:55:13

Laser!

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 13:11:39

Lasers are good to learn on but an O'Day Daysailer is a great boat for a father to teach his son on and sail together.

Edited by - on

Don B
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 13:19:11

One of the things I forgot to mention...he is now 6' 9".

At times, his height can make it difficult for him to move around my boat...he can almost go forward and stay in the cockpit at the same time

I'm sure that spending time on this much larger boat has given him a whole new outlook.

How long are Lasers??

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 13:27:34

Between your story Don and Frank's comments on another thread about growing up sailing I'm getting all choked up over here! Seriously this is what life is about, doing the things we love with the people we love.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4306 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 13:33:15

12' or 14' I believe.

You could get two (one for each foot) and he could sail standing up.

Edited by - GaryB on 04/10/2009 13:33:53

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 13:42:07

I'm pretty sure the Laser is about 14'. Sail-handling on a sloop rig is something he can learn on your boat (keeping his head down)... The point of a laser is learning the essential relationships between wind, ballast (himself), daggerboard, tiller, and sail. Nothing else (except maybe a Sunfish) makes it all so clear, and hardly anything is more pure fun to sail! (At his size, maybe a Force 5, a slightly blown-up Laser, would be better.) With what you'll be saving in tuition, you should be able to afford any of those!

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 15:41:43

The hell with a Laser. You already know the kid enjoyed an Irwin 65. Get one of those.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 16:13:20

I spent a fair amount of time on Sunfish & Dolphins, a lot of it upside down at first (no instructor, just figuring it out on my own). You very quickly learn how everything's connected, why you move to the other side when you tack, how the boom can connect with your head, how sail trim does make a difference, how over or under steering can blow a tack, etc.

I've never sailed a Laser, but used to race against one on weekends on my Venture catamaran. If we were going in a straight line I could beat him all day long, but if it was a course with lots of turns (it almost always was), he'd always beat me. Cats just don't turn like monohulls.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5397 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 16:40:01

I have a Zuma, "Spinner" (a fat laser) that's cat rigged and a Sunbird Alcort "Voyager" (16') that's sloop rigged.

My son is 6'3" @ 170 # and he will fit perfectly in the Sunbird, but he cannot comfortably sail the Zuma. My daughter is 5'4" @ 110# and she's a perfect fit for the Zuma.

A friend has a 19' Flying Scot, a lovely centerboard boat that would be fine for a skipper and crew, while a Hobie 16 or 18 Catamaran would be incredibly exciting. Another friend has a Prindle Cat, which he and his sons love to race.

There are lots of options out there, all you have to do is check 'em out and look for a deal.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 17:01:29

Sweet music to a sailing dad's ears! You two are destined to have a lot of fun together.
Maybe one of the smaller boats in the Catalina line, a C-14.2 or a Coronado 15.
Think about what the most popular small boats in your area are, in addition to a Laser.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2009 : 19:01:40

Let him drive and you do the work then it won't matter how tall he is as long as he can duck

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.