Experienced sailers?

Question

Please only answer seriously, I really want the answers to these questions...

Just recently I became interested in learning to sail. Very recently actually... yesturday. When i was invited onto my friends boat.

Anyways, I did some research and i think that the boat for me is a sunfish.

Good idea or bad? Is the sunfish easy to learn on and good for beginners? If not, any better suggestions? (in reasonable price range)

Is it too late in the year to try and start learning? How late into the year can you bring boats out?

Lessons... good in a class or indevidual? How did you learn, what is the best way?

I searched on eBay hoping for a better price and found some great deals. I looked at pictures and they seem to be in good condition, but is it worth the risk?

I really appreciate your time and knowledge.. thanks!

Answer 1

ehh i don't think i would buy a boat off ebay but i buy other things there and their ok and all but a boats alot

Answer 2

Before you buy a boat, take some lessons so you get a better feel for sailing and also the type of sailing that you want to do (racing, recreational, keelboat, dinghy). I would recommend a certified school (in Canada a CYA approved school, in the USA a US Sailing approved school, or there should be an equivalent organization in whichever country you're in). Once you are certified, you can usually rent the equivalent boat that you trained with.

I've taken group instruction for dinghy and keelboats and have found the CYA instructors extremely knowledgeable.

The body of water you'd be sailing on should also influence your decision if you decide to buy. Ocean vs lake makes a difference.

Answer 3

A Sunfish is fairly easy to sail.  You should find someone to show you the basics.  Reading will help but actual hands on experience is much more useful.  You need to learn how to tack, (run toward the wind), and how to right the boat after a knockdown, (being blown over by the wind).  As long as the water temperature is comfortable its not too late to start sailing.  The Sunfish is a wet sailer, (meaning your going to get wet, and your going to get knocked down).  You will need to get the feel of the sail so you know when to spill air, (to control heel and reduce knock downs), how to tack, and how to jibe, (change direction of the boom --- be ready to duck).  Without some knowlege of the basics you could wind up on the opposite side of the lake w/o knowing how to get back.  The Sunfish is a small water boat that is low priced.  For a little more money you can get a faster, more manuverable boat that will allow you to sail closer to the wind.