Sailing Lessons?

[Amy_MA]

I'm looking for someone who gives sailing lesson on the lake. I have a little O'Day sailboat that we manage ok on a smaller lake, but want to feel comfortable on the big lake, maybe with a bigger boat. A few years back I saw a brochure for someone who gave 2 days of lessons from an island there. Any idea if they still do that, or if there is someone else?

[Coastal Laker]

I don't know much about sailing schools (since I'm a power boater) but I understand there is one in Gilford near Fays Marina.

Here's the site:
http://www.sailnh.com/

[madrasahs]

You're right to feel that boating on a Big Lake is different than a small lake.

One difference is the weather, which can make things scary even for a 41-foot cruiser on Winnipesaukee! http://www.winnipesaukee.com/oldforu...mes;read=62528
Read up on "Buys Ballot's Law" -- you may not want to be on the lake at all, weather-wise. (Buys Ballot is a Dutch weather forecaster's name -- not into Massachusetts politics at all).

In addition, there's lots of important things to know about Lake Winnipesaukee sailing: how to deal with powerboater (and Marine Patrol) ignorance of sailing, empathy-absense towards small traditional lake boats, where the wind is, and "when" the wind is.

E-mail me -- I'll instruct for free in your sailboat. You'll need tell-tails on your jib, main, and shrouds.

(My boat's too fast, wet, and complicated for meaningful instruction).

[jonr]

Amy,

You also might try the Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association (LWSA), although I think their sailing instruction is aimed at kids sailing smaller boats. Check out http://www.lwsa.org/

If you're from the Boston area (just guessing from the _MA) in your username, there are several public sailing programs down there. For example, http://www.community-boating.org/ http://www.bostonsailingcenter.com/Home
http://www.courageoussailing.org/

I'd also volunteer to go sailing with you some time if that would help. (Your boat or mine).

Another possibility is to volunteer to crew during the various sailboat races on the lake. Both the LWSA and the Winnipesaukee Yacht Club (WYC) each sponsor various races throughout the summer and fall. (You can find the schedule on www.lswa.org). There are weekly one design races (14+ 26 ft J/80's) on Thursdays, Friday night pickup races at the WYC (informal, sometimes on, sometimes off) and various weekend events.

-- Jon

[Amy_MA]

Thanks for all of your input, very helpful. I'm waiting for a reply from Sail NH.

I know what you mean, madrasahs, about the changing weather. We were out there fishing a few years back in a little 18' bowrider. In a heartbeat the sun vanished, the rain and lightning came in, and visibility was down to 0. A half an hour later, the sun was shining. Scariest 1/2 hour I've ever spent on the water.

jonr, you are right, I'm from MA, but far from Boston. We've got a summer place just south of Alton on one of the smaller lakes, so I was hoping to combine a weekend away with lessons. I did follow your links and got some great ideas about other places to look.

Thanks again.