Learning to Sail

One of the few websites to make it through the rise and fall of the dot.com's of the 90's, this website is also one of the few informational sites that manages to make a profit while still providing ample information for free. There's only so much reading a person can do about how to sail, but this site operates like a reference source prepared to show and tell how everthing from car engines to capitalism works. There are many entries about sailing, building, weather, solar powered sails, and knott tying. While many of the entries lead to books and other informational products for sale, there is still much to be learned for free on this site.

This book contains illustrations and text describing the care and repair of boat auxiliary systems. The book includes an index.

This popular series (a favorite of the intended audience of this pathfinder) is known for its humor and effective communication and ability to distill complicated information down to an entertaining and yet still highly effective form. This book includes some illustrations and an index.

This book is illustrated and includes an index. Its credibility lies in the fact that the American Sailing Association of the United States Coast Guard. This manual is an excellent guide for beginning sailors. The guide teaches basic sailing skills as well as coastal cruising with step-by-step instructions for everything from hoisting the sail to docking the boat at the end of the day. The author was the tactician aboard the 1977 America's Cup-winning boat Courageous. The book is also geared toward helping sailors qualify for ASA certification in case you'd ever like to charter a boat.

Book is illustrated by the author and includes an index. Continues to be an excellent source of some of the more timeless aspects of sailing.

Part of learning to sail is learning to know and care for your boat. This video demonstrates how to perform basic procedures on a generic marine diesel engine such as maintenance of the fuel system, cooling system, electrical system, and exhaust system. It also shows how to bleed the fuel system, winterize the engine for storage/non-use, and finally some troubleshooting for simple problems.

Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle
http://cycseattle.org/

from the website: "Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle is one of the oldest and largest yacht clubs in the Pacific Northwest. With more than 500 members, CYC plays a leading role in sailing activities in the region. The club's facilities--at Shilshole Bay Marina on Puget Sound and at Leschi on Lake Washington--are focal points for major one-design and handicap racing events throughout the year. Conducting over 1300 starts annually, CYC is one of the most active clubs in the country. Members also enjoy cruising in spectacular Northwest waters and around the world. The club publishes a monthly newsletter, The Leadline, mailed to all active members. CYC is a member of US Sailing and the Pacific International Yachting Association." Dues range from $70-450 a year.

from the website: "Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center is located on Lake Washington at Stan Sayres Park, about midway between Seward Park and the I-90 floating bridge in south east Seattle. This facility is accessible by private car, foot, bike, boat, and public transportation which makes stops on Genesee Street 3 blocks south of the facility. Because Stan Sayres Park features a boat launching ramp, as well as several piers for power or sailboats, one could arrive by water to take a class! Class offerings include all ability levels in rowing, sailing, and sail boarding, beginning canoe and kayaking for youth and adults. The facility consists of four buildings: a sailing storage building, two rescue boathouses, and the largest -- a shellhouse used for the storage of rowing equipment, which also includes an office, meeting room, and public restrooms."

from the website: "Sailing in Seattle offers a variety of sailing programs for organizations, visitors, beginning sailors, cruisers, racers, and adventurers. Check us out. We are a local, family operated team that enjoys sharing their love of sailing with others. We are able to offer you a sailing opportunity designed to fit your interests, sailing experience, and schedule. Some of our popular sailing activities include: cruising and exploration, corporate sails, sailing education, and racing."

from the website: "The Seattle Sailing Club is the reasonable alternative to boat ownership. Our member cost is just a fraction of rentals, time-share, or the prohibitive price of ownership. We have for our members a large fleet of boats for their personal use. The high cost of ownership -- boat payments, moorage, maintenance, and insurance are just a memory. By keeping a limit on the number of members, the Club maintains a reasonable availability for sailing. The Club's staff of experienced Coast Guard licensed instructors means that your training is entrusted to capable people, and the tedious part of boating, the maintenance, is done for you."