New and Seeking Advice

[shaka]

Greets!

I'm in my late 20s and based out of St. Pete, FL. I have recently really got into sailing and was interested in the best way to really 'get my feet wet' so to speak, get experience, and even work aboard a vessel. At this point in my life, I think I am ready to get started and was looking for some solid advice seeing as I am quite new to this. I really want to get out of my corporate grind (I work as a web master, graphic designer, and SEO) and get out there!

Where is the best way to get hands on experience? e.g. Do I find work as an unpaid crew, try to find a local job on a boat, or is there a particular website for this.
I stumbled across Find a Crew and was wondering if this is the general method people go about finding others for work?

Any other advice is welcome and I look forward to seeing you all around in the forums!

PEACE! shaka

[onestepcsy37]

get a sunfish, or join a sailing club that owns sunfish and other small boats for their members to use.

you will learn more about sailing on a sunfish than on a much bigger boat.

[Rakuflames]

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Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

get a sunfish, or join a sailing club that owns sunfish and other small boats for their members to use.

you will learn more about sailing on a sunfish than on a much bigger boat.

I disagree. Join a club that already has sunfishes, like Boca Ciega Yacht Club. Or if you're on the Tampa side, there's the Tampa Sailing Squadron at Apollo Beach. TSS in particular is a real hands-on club, but you'll meet people and probably end up crewing for some of them. You just network, network, network. Take lessons. BCYC won't have more lessons until next Spring, but there's also Eckerd College and University of South Florida. It's quite possible to learn to sail without using Sunfish, Lasers, etc., and a case can be made for knowing the basics before attempting them.

[Manson_Brigg]

I'm in Tampa, also fairly new to sailing. I'm actually getting my boat this weekend to start sailing on a regular basis. I don't have a ton of experience but if you ever wanna meet me up one afternoon when I'm out on the bay, I can at least show you the basics.

[shaka]

Wow thanks for all the killer information, as well as the offer BlueChair (I will send you a PM). Have a great weekend all!

[Mimsy]

If you can find a spot on a recreational racing boat as crew, that will really up your skill level. usually the only cost is time, a willingness to work hard and beer to share. If you become known as someone folks can rely on to show up on time, ready to go and with a great attitude you will have no problems finding a spot.

*check with the local marinas to see if you can post a crew available notice.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Looks like you've got a lot of sources already.