One thing to consider is whether the particular sailing school you
choose is generally known and accredited, and whether their certificates
of class completion are generally accepted by other schools, charter
companies, etc. For example, I think that the classes from American
Sailing School, and Annapolis Sailing Schools, etc., include training in
a number of prescribed subjects, with OTW (on the water) and classroom
work on each, followed by OTW and written exams. Thus, if you pass the
tests, you (and others) have some assurance that you learned the basics
of sailing that you were supposed to learn. Also, they offer a
progressive series of courses, beginning with an introductory sailing
course (basics of sailing, points of sail, man overboard, rules of the
road, boat nomenclature, etc.) followed by more advanced courses,
progressing to a course providing a certificate stating that you are
qualified to charter larger boats, etc. - The point is that you might
want to start with a training school that will provide graduation
letters or certificates that will be accepted for the more advanced
courses that you may want to take later on. - (Sort of like taking the
appropriate prerequisites in college for the more advanced second and
third-year courses.) Otherwise, you might have to repeat the training
of a local, non-recogized "school." Of course, if you just want to take
an introductory weekend course at a nominal cost, you won't loose much
and will be on your way.

Jim


wrote:

Hi,

I live in NYC, and am looking to do some sailing this coming season. I
am looking at two options: a local sailing club, and a company that
leases yachts. I am confused as to how much training is required,
however.

The sailing club (http://www.sailmanhattan.com/) requires a total of
22 hours of training, and they have J/24 sailboats. Even then, one is
not allowed to sail their boats without a more experienced person being
the skipper.

The leasing company (http://www.pinnacleyachts.com/) requires 15 hours
of instruction, and they have Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 yachts, and once
you have learned, you are allowed to take them out on your own.

What confuses me is, I would think the 37 footer would be harder than
the J/24, yet less training is required, and less supervision
afterwards is required.

Is the sailing club being too strict, the leasing company being too
lax, or am I missing something?

Thanks for any input!

Any method that give you the most "TIME ON THE WATER" will be the
fastest route towards 'mastery' of sailing.

There is NO SUBSTITUE to "DOING IT", not books, not schools, not marina
residents nor newsgroup denizens. Nothing builds sailing skills faster
than simply doing it. As regards the 'size' of the boat the smallest
sailing dinghy will teach 'you' faster because of its relative
instability, the immediate feedback from the boat when something is
'wrong'/right, etc. A larger boat is erroneously easier to sail
because EVERYTHING that happens is much s-l-o-w-e-r to happen and many
of the actions/reaction are 'dampened' by the large mass of the boat.
Get copies of "Chapmans", Annapolis School of Seamanship", etc. read
them over and over then get out on the water in anything you can
afford, borrow, etc.

Want to learn sailing quickly: buy a cheap re-saleable daysailing
dinghy, beat the hell out of it (and yourself) while you are learning
and looking for the 'next' (larger) boat, sell the dinghy for a profit
and move up, etc. until you arrive at your 'plateau' then think about a
'school', etc. Make a plan and follow it. What ever you do dont
assume that a BIG boat is the place to start as a big boat will take
all the skills you learned in small tippy dinghies .... plus some. It
will take YEARS to learn how to sail on a big boat ... only a season or
two on a 'little' boat - and those skills can be used on a big boat
(not always vice versa). Take one 'bite' at a time. Look at or
compare becoming a pilot in general aviation (small) aircraft: no one
starts flying in a 747 jumbo jet as their 'entry' to that sport. They
usuallly start in the smaller 'sport' planes and then move up. How
rapid the 'move up' depends on how much *time* you spend on the water.

If you want to accelerate your 'training' beside the above, go down to
the local 'racing fleet' on a Wednesday night and see if someone needs
extra 'crew' ... they usually do. Tell them your sailing experience
and see if you can fit their needs .... the (free) training on a
racecourse as crew will be astronomical. When the race is over/won,
then start to ask your questions of the crew ... good sailors will
share their knowledge openly and freely. When you get home open one of
the zillions of 'sailing books' and study, etc., ask questioins next
time out, etc. Just carefully pick a race boat/skipper that isnt an
arrogant loudmouthed dictator, etc.

"Time on the water" is the BEST teacher.
If you are married, etc. get your wife, etc. interested .... and turn
the boat over to HER. If she 'likes' sailing .... you wont have any
choice (nor future disappointments)!!!

Hope this helps, see ya on the water