At the beginning of the summer I was like you, Charles. Reading and lurking
but no experience. I did what you say you are planning to do. Now I have my
CYA (Canadian Yachting Association) 'Basic Cruising Standard' for skipper
and crew. This means (so I am told) that I can Skipper a sailboat up to 10
meters in length (about 30 feet) during the day, in ideal conditions, in
areas I know.

I also joined the sailing club. They have sailing every night of the week
and I can take boats out at other times (included in the membership).

My plan is sleightly different from yours in that I'm going to take the
Intermediate Cruising course which rates me for bigger boats and should be
good enough to rent a boat for extended cruising. So, I get to be the
Captain.

What i'm really saying is, don't wait to take those lessons. It is pretty
easy to learn to sail on a lake.

Charles A. Thompson wrote:

(Larry W4CSC) wrote in message
...
Charles, wanna go sailing, now? Hang out around the docks and help
the sailors work around their boats. They benefit from your help and
will show you appreciation by taking you sailing as crew where you'll
very quickly learn the ropes....er, ah....lines...er,
ah...sheets...(c; Get the picture?


Well, I live in Kansas, so there aren't too many docks around. There
are a few sailing clubs on the lakes around here, so that's where I
will probably get my first-hand experience.

Right now I'm reading books, newsgroups, etc.

After that, probably chartering a cat in the Caribbean with a captain.
Then with no captain...

Charles

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