Conference unifix::sailing

re .0:

Previous notes discussing sailing schools are 28, 507, 528, 630, 687, 857,
1113, 1126. Or at least these notes have 'school' in their titles. Really, 
folks, I'm a mite tired of moving notes around to minimimize the number of 
base notes. How 'bout some help?

signed,

a moderator who needs a vacation (and is going sailing in Maine the next two 
weeks)

    In 1981, I took the course that you referenced at the Boston Harbor
    Sailing Club.  It was excellent.  After the classroom and the on the water
    weekend we were able to take out the solings.  They were careful to
    ensure someone fairly knowledgable was on board so I got to sail with a
    lot of different people and the learning continued.  I believe and have
    been told that they do a slightly better job of maintaining their
    boats.  I would recommend them to anyone.  Only a year and a half later 
    I bought my boat.  I had never even been on a sailboat before Boston
    Harbor Sailing Club.

    I've taken lessons and been a member at both places.  How good the
    instruction is depends on who the instructor is.  The curricula
    aren't that different.  One plus for the BHSC is that they have
    some larger boats ( Pearson 26's and misc 30 footers).  If thier
    course includes training on these, I'd sign on with them.  The handling
    characteristics of larger boats is different from that of solings
    or J-24's.  
    
    The night sailing option is worth taking.  Boston Harbor is an
    excellent place to learn and do night sailing.  Most of the piloting
    problems that one would want to learn about are available right
    in the harbor.  If you ever decide to keep a boat in the harbor,
    good night sailing skills are a must.  Boston Harbor is situated
    such that many of the typical sailing destinations require either
    leaving or returning to the harbor at night.
    
    On the personal side, the proprietors of both clubs are the
    temperamental type.  However, the BHSC owner does make an effort
    to put together sailing groups.  If you show up alone, he'll try
    to find some others to go out with you.
    
    Be realistic about what can be accomplished in two weekends.  A
    lot of material can be covered but it'll take some time on the water
    to make it all sink in.
    
    - gene

    I, too, was looking around for a sailing school.  I took Basic Coastal
    Cruising and Night Sailing Classes at the Boston Harbor Sailing Club. 
    I was very pleased with the instruction.  However, I joined a new club
    in Portsmouth RI, called the Adventurer Sailing Club, because they
    offer bigger and better boats.  See my experience in Note 184.9.  I
    really recommend this club, plus Narragansett Bay for newcomers to
    sailing.
    
    Paul