Lee did they teach you the meaning of SLOBOAT ? I learned that when I was a kid , starboard over port , leward over winward, over taking boat must keep clear, buoy room, obstruction, all rights lost returning, and tacking too close. Now im 55 and still remember all that and more and still race my sunfish and my laser several times a year. Pass that on its awesome way to remember the rules of racing for the kids and the adults
Hi Lee, just subscribed to your channel, and just got a 75 Sunfish and a 78 Minifish after searching for awhile with a friend. It is late in the season here in Indiana. Is it possible to practice rigging on land? Also, it is an older Sunfish and the drain is in the bailer. If when we try the boat on water, and it takes on water, how do I drain it? Also, we don't have a dolly. Can we carry the boat to the water together? I know we sound totally clueless. We are. But we really want to learn to sail and we figured practicing on land was our best bet first. Thanks for your answers. We truly appreciate it.
Congrats emily, thansk for eatching the channel and this is perfect to get info for your small sailbiats…. Yes!! Rig the boat on land first! Bit make sure it is pointing into the wind or you will make tbe boat move/sail! Do it on a soft surface like grass…. Or leave on its trailer…. Do not do it on asphalt or concrte or you can really scrath your boat. This is a good practice and you can save lots of headaches on getting to the wayer and find out you are mossing a piece! Do it more than once…. Rig, drop sail. Put the rudder on and off, u til you are comfortable… I would suggest also bring a scooper made from an old bleacb or milk bottle or a bug car wasb sponge 🧽 to take any water out… hope this helps!
And also. Yes. You can carry to the water, but it will be kind of bulky… if the hull has water or leaks, it may get very heavy fast… if the bow handle is corroded (probably not ifnit was in fresh water all this time) it may break under lots of load…. But have fun with your new boats!!
I second the "enjoy all of it" philosophy, and it has to include things like rigging and repairing the boat. I don't have a Sunfish. From the moment I leave the house to get on the water is a couple of hours (and from off the water to back to my door is another couple.) So in an 8 hour day, I spend 4 hours driving and rigging/de-rigging. I have to like that almost as much as the actual sailing, or I'm just not going to do it.
Thank you for this vid. I’m super new to sailing, been out three times for sail clinics, and I have a six week course coming up. The three times I’ve been out were fun, but TONS of information on day one. Day two a bad jibe that scared the hell out of me. There’s was fun, and I learned a lot, but I just can’t sit and enjoy what the heck is going on! Dock anxiety (walking on the dock) as well as standing on the boat itself is something I have to work through every time. I enjoy sailing, but man, we are learning in a busy channel and whoa! I’ve got this, but I had to vent to a sailor! ❤
You got this!!! Every time you have an experience, and get through it…. You will realize that when it happens again…. Things will slow down for you and then become second nature…. Jibing, especially in heavier winds, takes a but of courage and faith…. So even if it doesn’t go smoothly the first few times…. Ask your instructors what can be improved to improve your experience. Repetition is the only way to gain that experience and sometimes it can be a little scary!! (And thats totally ok!).
@@LeeSideSailing information is information, regardless where you are. I have been an education forever, and regardless how I deliver, the information is how many students perceive it.
Good job on emphasizing how quick things can go from good to bad with the weather on the water. It seems squalls just come up faster on the water. Being a half mile from the beach as the wind begins to pick up can be risky for the novice sailor. Not like they can just get out of the weather as if they were in their front yard. New sailors, keep an eye on the weather !!!!!
Hey Lee, similiar to you I started sailing in my mid 20s, 3 years ago infact. I was lucky enough to get in as crew at my grandads sailing club for their racing weeknights. And just last year I did my ASA 101, 103, 104 certification(which would have been challenging if not for the race night experience). I told the owner of the boat I race on that I was preparing for it, and he let me skipper all seasons in advance(from leavibg the dock to returning with running lights at nightfall). Even showed me the engine breakdown(to his knowledge). Even with my certification, where I am from last season was cancelled due to pandemic, I have really enjoyed your videos for knowledge on sunfish and have really wanted to feel the smaller boats! Honestly even with the big boat experience, I crave a bit more nitty gritty in water experience to grow more confident. And hope to sail one someday soon!
Congrats to all your experiences in such a short time!!! With racing, crewing and the Certifications I bet your are well ahead many people who sail more years! Thanks for the great comment!
A suggestion for future videos might be one about PFDs and one about squals. I don't know about other areas but in the southeast they come up fast and strong . Knowing what to look for in building thunder clouds is helpful.
Not everyone gets outside instruction. Some people are self-taught (autodidacts). It is important to wear a properly adjusted Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Note the girl at about 4:27 is not wearing one. This gets extremely important when the water temperature is below 70 degrees F. Another thing is to move your weight fore and aft. As the wind gets stronger, you should move further aft. It will reduce weather helm.
Hi Lee, Where did you buy your racing sail from? I am a bigger beginner and could use the extra power for the low wind. I have watch a lot of your videos, they are great thanks for putting them out there.
Thanks for watching! I buy my stuff locally at the dinghyshop, online same place also sunfishdirect.com and intensity. Also vela sail is a good shop and some others. (I am not sponsored by anyone).
sunfishdirect.com is giving my viewers a 10% off any order over $100.00, just use coupon code "lee" offer good through June 6, 2021
Lee did they teach you the meaning of SLOBOAT ? I learned that when I was a kid , starboard over port , leward over winward, over taking boat must keep clear, buoy room, obstruction, all rights lost returning, and tacking too close. Now im 55 and still remember all that and more and still race my sunfish and my laser several times a year. Pass that on its awesome way to remember the rules of racing for the kids and the adults
Thanks. I actually did not hear that. :).
Hi Lee, just subscribed to your channel, and just got a 75 Sunfish and a 78 Minifish after searching for awhile with a friend. It is late in the season here in Indiana. Is it possible to practice rigging on land? Also, it is an older Sunfish and the drain is in the bailer. If when we try the boat on water, and it takes on water, how do I drain it?
Also, we don't have a dolly. Can we carry the boat to the water together? I know we sound totally clueless. We are. But we really want to learn to sail and we figured practicing on land was our best bet first.
Thanks for your answers. We truly appreciate it.
Congrats emily, thansk for eatching the channel and this is perfect to get info for your small sailbiats…. Yes!! Rig the boat on land first! Bit make sure it is pointing into the wind or you will make tbe boat move/sail! Do it on a soft surface like grass…. Or leave on its trailer…. Do not do it on asphalt or concrte or you can really scrath your boat. This is a good practice and you can save lots of headaches on getting to the wayer and find out you are mossing a piece!
Do it more than once…. Rig, drop sail. Put the rudder on and off, u til you are comfortable…
I would suggest also bring a scooper made from an old bleacb or milk bottle or a bug car wasb sponge 🧽 to take any water out… hope this helps!
And also. Yes. You can carry to the water, but it will be kind of bulky… if the hull has water or leaks, it may get very heavy fast… if the bow handle is corroded (probably not ifnit was in fresh water all this time) it may break under lots of load…. But have fun with your new boats!!
I second the "enjoy all of it" philosophy, and it has to include things like rigging and repairing the boat. I don't have a Sunfish. From the moment I leave the house to get on the water is a couple of hours (and from off the water to back to my door is another couple.) So in an 8 hour day, I spend 4 hours driving and rigging/de-rigging. I have to like that almost as much as the actual sailing, or I'm just not going to do it.
Well said…. And you definitely show that! Thanks for the comment :)
Thank you for this vid. I’m super new to sailing, been out three times for sail clinics, and I have a six week course coming up. The three times I’ve been out were fun, but TONS of information on day one. Day two a bad jibe that scared the hell out of me. There’s was fun, and I learned a lot, but I just can’t sit and enjoy what the heck is going on! Dock anxiety (walking on the dock) as well as standing on the boat itself is something I have to work through every time. I enjoy sailing, but man, we are learning in a busy channel and whoa! I’ve got this, but I had to vent to a sailor! ❤
You got this!!! Every time you have an experience, and get through it…. You will realize that when it happens again…. Things will slow down for you and then become second nature…. Jibing, especially in heavier winds, takes a but of courage and faith…. So even if it doesn’t go smoothly the first few times…. Ask your instructors what can be improved to improve your experience. Repetition is the only way to gain that experience and sometimes it can be a little scary!! (And thats totally ok!).
Hi, I wud LOVE to take a 6 week sailing course. Pls give me name of club, etc. Many thanks.
It really depends on your location
@@LeeSideSailing information is information, regardless where you are. I have been an education forever, and regardless how I deliver, the information is how many students perceive it.
@@willieoler9381 try a Google search to see what’s in your area. I don’t think we live in the same city.
Good job on emphasizing how quick things can go from good to bad with the weather on the water. It seems squalls just come up faster on the water. Being a half mile from the beach as the wind begins to pick up can be risky for the novice sailor. Not like they can just get out of the weather as if they were in their front yard. New sailors, keep an eye on the weather !!!!!
excellent advice comparing it if you were in your front yard.... so true. :)
hey lee, great video! i didn't realize that the boats sailed different on each tack downwind as well.
Really enjoyed these 8 tips Lee!
Thank you! I appreciate the comment!
Hey Lee, similiar to you I started sailing in my mid 20s, 3 years ago infact. I was lucky enough to get in as crew at my grandads sailing club for their racing weeknights. And just last year I did my ASA 101, 103, 104 certification(which would have been challenging if not for the race night experience). I told the owner of the boat I race on that I was preparing for it, and he let me skipper all seasons in advance(from leavibg the dock to returning with running lights at nightfall). Even showed me the engine breakdown(to his knowledge). Even with my certification, where I am from last season was cancelled due to pandemic, I have really enjoyed your videos for knowledge on sunfish and have really wanted to feel the smaller boats! Honestly even with the big boat experience, I crave a bit more nitty gritty in water experience to grow more confident. And hope to sail one someday soon!
P.s. I use windy and used to use weatherunderground a lot for their smart forecastbefore they were either bought out, or started charging premiums.
Congrats to all your experiences in such a short time!!! With racing, crewing and the Certifications I bet your are well ahead many people who sail more years! Thanks for the great comment!
A suggestion for future videos might be one about PFDs and one about squals. I don't know about other areas but in the southeast they come up fast and strong . Knowing what to look for in building thunder clouds is helpful.
Thanks for the comment!!
I appreciate your videos. I’m gonna sail a lil bit this summer and your videos arr very helpful!
Excellent Drew! Thanks for commenting!
I'm late for the party on this video. My favorite bit of advice in this is your final piece. The Philosophy. :)
Thanks Mark for the comment. I appreciate it
I have 3 weather apps on my phone. Rarely do the 3 agree. I use the 2 that are closest and cross my jib sheets.
:)
Love #8!
Thank you. !
nr. 8 is the best one :)
Thanks. I agree!
Nice video, well said
Thanks you!!
Not everyone gets outside instruction. Some people are self-taught (autodidacts). It is important to wear a properly adjusted Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Note the girl at about 4:27 is not wearing one. This gets extremely important when the water temperature is below 70 degrees F.
Another thing is to move your weight fore and aft. As the wind gets stronger, you should move further aft. It will reduce weather helm.
Great points! And I agree, ALWAYS recommend a PFD while sailing a Sunfish and other small boats.
Great job....
Thanks
I have used iwindsurf for weather around Moriches bay. Just east of your great South Bay. It has been ok for wind and tides. Any thoughts Fletch
In personally use windy, and noaa for currents. Thanks :).
Great video Lee! Is that Sea Cliff beach around the 8:50 mark?
Thank you. And yes. That’s Sea Cliff YC. :)
My lawn tells me the weather, dew on grass rain will pass
Good saying!!! I never see dew, since i wake up too late. ;)
I’m a big SailFlow and Accuweather guy.
Accuweather on the TV?
The Accuweather app
Alot of times there are apps where you can look at bouy readings in real time
Hi Lee, Where did you buy your racing sail from? I am a bigger beginner and could use the extra power for the low wind. I have watch a lot of your videos, they are great thanks for putting them out there.
Thanks for watching! I buy my stuff locally at the dinghyshop, online same place also sunfishdirect.com and intensity. Also vela sail is a good shop and some others. (I am not sponsored by anyone).
LI Strong!!!!
lesson 1 Don't stand where the boom can clout you if you unexpectedly gybe.
That’s always a great tip! Sometimes one may have to learn this one the hard way!
What is something you know that wasn't taught, but would have been good to know, in beginner sailing lessons?
W A T E R F U N!!!
I was wondering if anyone would notice that???