Sailing

[kg4kpg]

So, does anyone on the board happen to own a sail boat? Is it expensive or hard to learn? I've always wanted to learn and someday own a 25 or 39 footer. I went to the boat show today and at least 90 percent of the boats were center console fishing boats. A few small pleasure boats and a couple nice cruisers but those were all $170k and up. There was only one tiny little sail boat. Sould be called the Charleston Fishing Boat Show.

 

[rotarymike]

Glad we didn't waste our $ going. Growing up I used to go to boat shows in Ocean City, Maryland and the NC Outer Banks with my charter captain stepfather. Other than developing a permanent lust for a Midnight Lace yacht, it gave me a health interest in sailing. They usually had tons of smaller stuff including sailing boats. Reading about this one I was suspicious it would all be bigger fishing boats/ shiny bass boats.

I'm not sure you could just take one class, but both the Citadel and CofC have sailing classes/clubs. The CofC sailing club is in the marina next to Patriot's Point.

 

[jmt2566]

I used to own a 30 foot sloop that my ex and I lived aboard for about 3 years in the Keys. We quit work & sailed around the Bahamas for 6 months - it was a wonderful time! (We even named my son after Joshua Slocum who was the first man to sail solo around the world.) I sold that boat about 15 years ago :cry: I intend to get another & do it again after my son graduates!

It is very expensive if you even think about buying a new boat! I would suggest a used one - usually they already have been outfitted with necessary gear etc. Also, even more so than cars, they can be purchased much less expensively used and if they are cared for they can last for decades. Boats are also an item that people sacrifice during bad economies - you should be able to get a steal on one now with some patience...

-Jeff

 

[PCShogun]

I enjoy the Charleston Maritime Festival. The Tall ships just strike the romantic age of sail with me. If I were young and unattached, I'd love to sail on one for a few months.