Wish to start sailing

Submitted by hockey dad on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:05
At the tender age of 55, I have a STRONG desire to fulfill a life long "bucket-list" yearning to learn to sail. I have read much the past couple of years and have spent the same amount of time researching prospective boats. I have only sailed ONCE back "in the day" with a friend on his cat and fell in love with the sport. BUT...as so often occurs...life passed me by in this endeavor, keeping me WAAAAY too busy with that cursed thing known as work. That and raising a family, being a 35 year hockey/baseball coach, and participating in sports myself 'til a blown-out knee at 40 ended that. I found this site last week and have thoughorly enjoyed the forums (love this stuff...lol), and was impressed with the kinmanship of the FSSA. In that regard, any tips on: - getting started - to purchase a boat or try to bum rides for awhile to figure it out - lessons; where (am in south-central Wisconsin) - cost - as to a boat...a good starter vs the boat for the long haul...did I mention I got one youngun' thru college and her brother thru 2 years of junior hockey and now he's off to college? In other words, the old cash flow's a little tight at the moment!!! Any way I slice it, I'm at least a year away from a boat purchase as it stands. Thanks in advance for any suggestions or feed back. As I said, I love the site...and it is very informative...and will check back often.
‹ RIGGING FS with a Cabin ›

Comments

You are in the right place.

Submitted by sawyerspadre on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:00.
You are in the right place. The boat is easy to sail, fun to race, and a boat one can sail well into the "masters" class. You can find decent Scots around for reasonable cost. You may want to find your nearest fleet, as they would likely let you bum rides, (later called crewing), and can guide you on finding a boat. Mine is from 1985, but our club has boats from the 60's that routinely win on our lake in PA. Pricing depends on your tolerance for work and the bit-by-bit cost of replacing/upgrading rigging. A really low price usually equates to lots of work and some cost to upgrade parts if you care to race. Parts are readily available, along with great advice and quick shipping from Flying Scot. On the other hand you can dispense with all that and call Flying Scot and order whatever you want brand new. Only one real caveat with old Scots. The balsa core in the bottom can become waterlogged if the boat has had a lot of water frozen in it. See the How-to section on the Flying Scot web site for how to tell. Have fun, Phil Scheetz FS 4086

Phil Scheetz

Flying Scot 5919

Fleet 163, Nockamixon Sail Club

Phil gives you good advice.

Submitted by fssaeditor on Sun, 07/20/2008 - 05:50.
Phil gives you good advice. To get a ride on a Scot contact a fleet in Wisconsin: follow this link: Fleets in Oklahoma to Wisconsin FSSA Forum editor

I took the leap and learned to sail at age 50 (after having been

Submitted by Richard Lewis on Sun, 07/20/2008 - 11:39.
I took the leap and learned to sail at age 50 (after having been fascinated by the subject ever since high school) and shortly after that bought a twenty-two year old Scot. I've never regretted either and now my Scot is forty-six years old and still going strong! Strangely enough I feel that I have learned a great deal about sailing from my boat. Whenever I try to 'force' it to do something that is against it's nature I regret it, but gently letting it have it's way seems to work best. R.Lewis FS367 Chin up

Appreciate the suggestions; all good advice.

Submitted by hockey dad on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 19:36.
Appreciate the suggestions; all good advice. My wife has informed me there will be NO boat this year, next year, or in the forseeable future. Hmmmmmm...we'll see... Made me come up with a name; how 'bout "Dream Crusher"...catchy, eh?

Hockey Dad, I would take anyone out sailing on my FS that asked

Submitted by shugart5372 on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 01:55.
Hockey Dad, I would take anyone out sailing on my FS that asked because I want anyone interested to experience how fun and easy it is. So if you could get your wife out on one, she may change her tune. My wife doesn't like a sailboat to heel much and the Scot is just right for that requirement also. She encourages me to also find others to take sailing so she doesn't have to go with me so much....as long as that someone is not a solo female beauty. BTW, I am 61. Good luck.