 Bit O'Breeze
By
Captain Billy Bremer
Sailing: the
low-cost, eco-friendly alternative
As you might guess, I have relatively selfish reasons
for promoting sailing. Nonetheless, when you think about the
advantages inherent to sailing (wind power versus fuel, low
maintenance, etc), especially in terms of today’s tough economy,
sailing becomes a sensible, low-cost and eco-friendly way to have an
enjoyable day on the water.
So, you say to yourself, how do I go about testing
this alternative without purchasing a boat? The answer to this would
depend on what kind of sailing experience you think you might enjoy.
Would you be interested in learning to sail smaller boats on your
own, such as a Sunfish or a Hobie Cat? Or, would you prefer an
opportunity to crew on a larger boat? Depending on your answer,
there are a number of active sailing venues in the area. Let’s
explore some of the local options that are available to get you
going with a sailing program.
One of the most active local promoters of sailing is
Savannah Sailing Center (www.savannahsailingcenter.org).
SSC is located at Lake Mayer, on the south side of Savannah at the
corner of Montgomery Crossroads and Sallie Mood Drive. SSC offers
beginner sailing programs with a selection of smaller boats,
including Optis, Sunfish, Harpoon, and the two-person 420. Your
choice of boat will depend on your size and experience. If you are
interested in learning from the ground up, this would be a great way
to introduce yourself to sailing. Once you have a grasp of boat
handling and small boat sailing skills, you could then decide on the
right size boat for you. Or, you might want to spend a little time
more time investigating other options, so let’s take a further
look. From Beaufort to the Golden Isles, including Hilton Head and
Savannah, there are a number of sailing clubs. Although some
programs are private, I believe all these clubs have programs that
include guests. As a suggestion, use your favorite search engine and
simply type in “sailing in …” and add your home city. This should
give you a place to start. Most of the boat owners I know, and I
know quite a few, are always looking for additional crew. Talk about
low-cost! For the cost of a sandwich and your favorite beverage, you
can usually hop a ride. Whether it comes to a simple day cruise, a
cruising race, or a raft up out by the barrier islands, prepare to
enjoy your day. And, if your intention is to “learn the ropes,” just
say so. Sailors are usually keen to share their knowledge. As
always, for more specific information about opportunities in your
area, please feel free to e-mail me. See you on the water!
Captain Billy Bremer has enjoyed pleasure sailing and
racing in the greater Savannah area for more than 40 years. He has
won and lost his fair share of races over the years, either way, he
has never had a bad day on the water. Billy can be reached at rbbb3721@yahoo.com. |
