Scout wrote:

.... I've taken my boat out in the ocean,
but it seems a bit too small (19' Starwind) for coastal sailing.

The Starwind 19 is a nice little boat. I have several friends with them.


I got
tossed around pretty much, especially in the inlet.

Inlets are the worst places. Usually once you clear the inlet, it's smoother
sailing. Picking the right time is important when running inlets.


We always had a cabin
cruiser when I was growing up, so it feels like I should be out there in the
ocean, but I think I will hold off until I have a bigger boat.

Shucks, people have circumnavigated in boats that were smaller & less capable
than a Starwind 19! I'm not saying that to push you, just that in this (as in
almost every) case, the boat can withstand more than the sailor(s) can.

And, relative
to the experience in this group, I'm a newbie sailor;

40+ years and still learning. That's one of the attractive things about the
sport IMHO.

Fresh Breezes
Doug King