On 23 Dec 2005 11:46:01 -0800, wrote:

Check the difference in cost. It may be that the leasing
company is charging more to cover more of the amortizing of
the boat plus insurance. In either event, the sailing club
is all but guaranteed to be a better environment for
learning to sail well.

The leasing company is definitely more expensive, but the boats are
also a lot more appealing to me. I just want to make sure I am not
being foolish by taking on a large boat with just a few days training.
What I would really like to do is go on a multi day trip, which the
sailing club does not make available.

Thanks to everybody for the feedback!

I see that someone else mentioned Power Squadron - They do classroom
training in basic boating safety, rules of the road, and coastal
navigation (but no on-the-water training). If you plan on cruising,
you should take their course, as well as a practical sailing course.

Around here, the charter companies/sailing schools offer "Cruise and
Learn" courses - several students go for a 5 - 7 day cruise, with an
instructor. This would be better than the basic 15 hour course you
mentioned, as you would get to experience everything that happens
during a cruise - including tying up at a foreign marina, anchoring,
cooking, navigation....


--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca
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