Learning to sail

Hi there,

This question has probably already been asked on this forum. What would be the best way for me to learn how to sail a boat? I’m 45, have no experience in the matter, but I’ve got plenty of time available and I live in Marseille. I’ve tried courses at different schools here, but they’re all focused on competition—it’s not my thing at all. I’d like to learn so I can eventually think about traveling by sailboat. Thanks for your insights!

Hi there, I took some courses with MCV (Macif Voile), and I think it's perfect for beginners. They have great boats, and the instructors are competent. If you want to get to know them, they’ll be at the La Ciotat boat show next week, or you can find a boat looking for crew members for a small fee. Cheers, Gérard

Hi Gerard,

Thanks for your reply. Do you have a sailboat yourself, and after the training, were you able to sail solo? In these courses, do they have modules dedicated purely to navigation, or is it just about handling the boat? I’ll try to find their contact details. Best regards,

Same question, for a Parisian. I’m stuck professionally in the Paris region for a few more years. How can I learn to sail slowly but surely, with an eye toward a long-term voyage one day?

Would doing a course at Les Glénans every year give me solid experience?

Thanks.

Hi,

We can already name the two big associations: - Les Glénans (very well-known, great atmosphere, reasonably priced courses with 4 different skill levels and several bases in France and abroad) - UCPA (an association that doesn’t just do sailing, sometimes mixing levels on the same boat, also a great atmosphere and super prices) In both of these associations, most of the skippers are volunteers. There’s no seller-customer relationship like you might find sometimes in private schools.

Then there’s the MACIF sailing center, or MCV, as mentioned earlier. They have nice boats, but the prices are higher. No experience with them.

In Marseille’s old port, I sailed a few weeks ago with Voile Expression (only one instructor, who’s the school owner). A fun racing-cruising sailboat, a nice instructor, but much higher prices.

After you’ve got the basics, crew exchanges will be your best friend.

See you! 😉

Valère

After that, once you've got the basics down, crew-finding boards will be your best friend.

What’s that, exactly?

Thanks for your message, by the way. Tell me, is one course a year at Les Glénans enough?

Thanks for the info! I just finished a 1-week course with MACIF—they’re top-notch, especially the instructor, and the boat is gorgeous. But I’m a total newbie, ready to be amazed by anything that floats, so maybe I’m not the most objective.

Speaking of price, it was 600 € for 5 days... for 5 people on the boat plus a shared kitty. You’ve got to cover the boat and the skipper costs...

Now, to keep the skills I’ve learned from fading, I’m looking for an affordable way to keep sailing. There’s a school at the Marseille port that charges 35 € for 3 hours. I’m all ears for any tips or advice on how to sail on a budget!

Hi there, I hope you don’t mind me joining your discussion—I’ve just started an association that I think addresses your questions. It’s all about helping people who want to get into sailing or improve their skills do so in the best possible conditions. For more info, you can check out the association’s website: http://www.adonnante-voile.fr Feel free to reach out if you’d like more details. Best regards

Good evening! This sounds really interesting to me—I’ve always wanted to take a serious approach to sailing. I’ll be in touch with you very soon ;) Guillaume

Hi there,

Your respondents have covered the essentials, but if you're planning to buy or rent a sailboat in the future, it's best to learn at official sailing schools that will issue you certificates and licenses. Search for "SAILING CRUISE SCHOOL"—there are plenty in Europe. Have you considered America/Quebec/Canada?

Robert

Hi, Just a reminder, certificates are only as good as the people who issue them... J-C

Hi,

Having worked at the sailing schools mentioned above, I’d recommend Les Glénans (the gold standard—their sailing areas are my favorite). That said, you can’t generalize because the quality of training at these big schools depends on the instructor, the weather, and the other trainees in your group.

Personally, I created Coaching Plaisance to share my experience as a certified sailing instructor (BE), a merchant marine captain, and a senior technician in pleasure boat maintenance.

I offer tailored services: training, assistance with boat purchases, and delivery.

Wishing you all the best with your sailing journey!

Vincent Coaching Plaisance

Hey everyone...

Apart from the fact that the "coaching plaisance" link doesn’t work, I’d recommend learning to sail first on "small boats" (8 to 9 meters...) and then, once you’ve mastered the "small" ones, moving up to larger ones (10 or 11 meters) and so on.

What kind of car did you learn to drive in?...

There’s a club in Lyon called "Grand Largue" that offers a very comprehensive training program, from the absolute basics to skipper level—you should be able to find something similar elsewhere.

http://www.grandlargue.asso.fr/gol/

😉

Thanks Sailman

Here’s the link to Coaching Plaisance for a personalized training course: http://www.coaching-plaisance.com/

See you on the water! Vincent

Hi there, Why not learn to sail in Martinique, with guaranteed wind and sunshine all year round? www.ecoledevoileenmartinique.fr Happy reading. J-C

Hi everyone,

I found this tutorial, and after my research, I signed up with the Guides du Grand Large, who offer a wide range of training sessions and some really nice departure areas. I’ve sailed with them in the Antilles: Venezuela (600 NM) and Southern Brittany, and I’m getting ready to cross the English Channel in September 2016 before setting off on my own 35-footer, which a Grand Large guide has already helped me get familiar with. They’re skilled, friendly, and above all, very professional—I highly recommend them. I think they’re the only school that goes as far as lending you one of their sailboats so you can practice on your own, from maintenance to managing the cost of a boat and solo maneuvers... I got my answers: a boat costs a bit, but when you love it... Personally, I loved it, but hey, tastes differ... Anyway, no debate or comparison here—I just found the tips with them to help me cast off... Here’s the link: http://www.guidesdugrandlarge.fr/ Happy sailing to all!

Steph

Hi Stephanie. Having a boat at your disposal must cost a fortune!!! J

In my opinion, the best and least expensive solution: learn the basics on a small dinghy at the local sailing school, then check out crew boards like the excellent "Share My Sea"!

I think it's unnecessary to break the bank on prestigious schools just to pick up basic skills—even a 10-year-old who’s already sailed could explain them to you, maybe even better than a paid, certified instructor who’s usually not thrilled about that kind of task.

In my opinion, the best and most affordable solution: learn the basics on a small dinghy at a local sailing school, then check out crew-sharing boards like the excellent "Share My Sea"!

In my view, it’s unnecessary to spend a fortune on prestigious schools to acquire basic skills that even a 10-year-old who’s sailed before could explain—and maybe even better than a paid, certified instructor who generally dislikes that kind of task.

Hello,

I happened to come across your post, sir. Your comment and perspective are interesting, and you’re probably right. However, I’m no longer at an age where I can do dinghy sailing, and that wasn’t my goal to begin with—I didn’t have the time either. I needed an accelerated, practical, and real training course. An association, volunteers, or recreational sailors wouldn’t have been able to answer my questions, let alone in real-life situations with fresh winds on boats over 11 tons. I wasn’t looking for basic skills, precisely. Today, I’m a boat owner and sail solo offshore. In 2016/2017, I managed to log 7,020 nautical miles. I can navigate into ports I’ve never visited before and stay out at sea when conditions push my limits. I travel and race safely now—I feel confident because they taught me and showed me my boundaries. I got the results I wanted. I’d particularly like to thank my offshore guide for mentoring, training, and routing me on the high seas. I think at a certain level, it’s a real profession. It seems important, sir, to define the type of sailing we’re talking about. The great thing about this sport is that there’s something for everyone... If your project resembles mine, don’t hesitate to reach out: contact@guidesdugrandlarge.fr. Their phone advice is free for those who are a bit tight-fisted.

Wishing you all the best and fair winds! Steph50

Hi there, If you'd like to learn sailing, you have several options depending on your level and goals. In France, sailing schools like Les Glénans or UCPA offer courses for all levels, from beginner to advanced. These courses usually last several days and provide a full immersion in sailing practice.Voyage Forum If you prefer a more personalized approach, you can also take private lessons with a certified instructor or join sea outings organized by local sailing clubs. These options offer flexibility in terms of schedules and content and can be tailored to your specific needs. Finally, for those who want to combine learning with travel, some agencies offer sailing school cruises where you can learn to sail while discovering new destinations. It’s a great way to gain experience while enjoying diverse landscapes. Don’t hesitate to specify where you live or the region where you’d like to learn so I can give you more detailed information about the options available near you. Fair winds in your sailing journey! !