Howdy to all! I'm a non sailor that has decided to learn to sail....at the ripe old age of 50. (no, it's not a mid life crisis thing
). For the past 35 years I have been very active with motorcycles as a passion / hobby. mostly Jap bikes until about 4 years ago when I bought a new Moto Guzzi. (a phenomenal bike for any riders out there). I do a fair amount of long(er) solo distance riding, and decided to look into a sport that my wife and I can pursue together. She doesn't ride with me too often...she says it's uncomfortable and she doesn't enjoy being scared shizitless on a regular basis. Anyway, we live in the Finger Lakes area of NY, and getting into boating seemed like a natural thing to do. I started looking at powerboats and found a few that I really liked. I couldn't pull the switch and buy one because there was a little voice in my head (not the usual voices) telling me to hold off. Upon further reflection, I discovered I wasn't too enthusiastic about getting into a sport that relied so heavily on fossil fuels, especially since oil futures for December are already hovering around $80 / barrel. Also, where's the challenge? Any yahoo can write a check and buy a bada$$ boat....I discussed my thoughts on the subject with my wife, and, reluctantly at first, she has agreed that this is the course we should take. My only experience with HC's is from spring break trips in the 70's, and that only consists of seeing dozens of these boats flying all over the ocean. Damn, it looked like a blast. So here's our plan: we are not going to buy a boat until the offseason / early spring. Sign up for sailing lessons; either group or private. Use the remaining season to get into better shape (I'm going to have to quit the cigs 
), sign up for open swim night at the school (especially for me, I'm NOT a very competent swimmer..it's more a case of survival). I have checked out 3 books from the local library and currently reading "the Complete Beginner's Guide to Sailing" by A.H. Drummond, C 1971. Thankfully this book has a good glossary or I may as well be reading Latin. I have also ordered "The Hobie Cat Sailor" by Jake Grubb; Catamaran Sailing From Start to Finish" by Phil Bergmen; and "Sailing Fundamentals" by Gary Jobson. And I have discovedred, and joined, this site. I am in the process of reading all posts and slowly picking up some very helpful information. I probably won't be posting too often until I actually start capsizing the boat when I get it, but I will certainly be lurking in the shadows. BTW, this site has a good feel to it. In fact, it's as good as the Moto Guzzi owners bb that I have been on the past four years. Same kind of people: passionate about their sport, willing to help, and a hell of a lot of fun. thanks in advance for any help I receive.
