When it comes to sailing, there are all kinds of things to learn how to do.
How you go about learning will depend on your particular style. For example,
I am not patient enough to take classes, and have always relied more on the
written word and on-the-water trial and error than on more formal modes of
instruction. Here are examples of ways you can acquire the skills you feel
you need:

Take courses.

Community colleges, marine chandleries, Coast Guard Auxiliary, boat shows,
and a number of other enterprises offer seminars, workshops, and courses on
a variety of topics related to cruising. If you learn best in a classroom or
group environment, check out resources in your area.

Get one-on-one instruction.

Hire a sailing instructor. Look over the shoulder of a diesel mechanic. Talk
to a sail maker. If you learn best through individual instruction and
consultation, there should be any number of experts available that you can
hire, exchange services with, or otherwise remunerate in return for
instruction on a particular topic. Read everything you can get your hands
on. Some people learn best through the written word. There are scads of
books out there about every topic pertinent to cruising, so if you enjoy
learning by reading, there is plenty of resource material available. Check
out FineSailing.com for endless sources of information.

Learn on the water.

There are those who learn best by doing. Boat handling skills in particular
are probably best mastered in situations. Which leads me to the next
'preparing to prepare' topic.

Getting Out on the Water

Find ways to get yourself and your partner onto the water, either separately
or together. No matter how much you learn from books and courses,
on-the-water experience is a great way to really solidify your skills. This
will also help you decide if being on the water is worthy trying as a
lifestyle.

Go with friends.

If you have friends with boats, go out with them. If you don't have a boat
yourself, this will give you time on the water. If you do have a boat, this
will expose you to different boat characteristics and equipment.

Charter a boat in your home waters.

If you are within easy reach of a body of water, charter a boat of the type
or types that you are considering cruising. Vary the amount of time, the
kind of boat, and the nature of the weather that you go out in. Charter a
boat in faraway waters. Consider taking boating vacations in other parts of
the world. Besides exposing you to different types of boats, this will put
you into different environments and weather patterns.

Participate on a racing crew.

If you live in an area with an active racing community, either or both of
you can join a crew (I question whether you and your spouse would want to be
on the same crew, but that's up to you!).

Many coastal cities and town have 'Beer Can' races during the season that
are a little bit more laid back and convivial than the mainstream racing
events; these are best to participate in if you don't want to be a
blood-n-guts racing competitor.

Copyright (c) Kerry S. Mason

About The Author

Kerry S. Mason is the webmaster for FineSailing.com, the Internet's #1
resource for sailors, boaters, fishermen and anyone who enjoys the water. Be
sure to visit his entire archive of articles at...
http://www.finesailing.com/articles/.

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