Hello, Sailors! We set sail on the Schooner Virginia again! We sailed along the Elizabeth River for a while. See what it’s like to be crew on a tall ship.
Plus, a little bonus!
Setting Sail on the Schooner Virginia | Sincerely Sailing E. 9
We’re setting sail! See what it’s like to haul to raise sails, coil lines, and sail aboard the Schooner Virginia.
Schooner Virginia is a 122-foot wooden knockabout schooner in Norfolk, Virginia. She was restored over the winter 2016-2017 and just started sailing again!
Colorful Sail Nauticus Fleet in Harborfest Parade of Sail | Sincerely Sailing E. 8
We definitely have the best seat in the house during the Harborfest Parade of Sail. The Sail Nauticus fleet joins the parade behind the Godspeed from Jamestown.
Schooner Virginia Leading Norfolk Harborfest Parade of Sail | Sincerely Sailing E.7
After months and months of work, the Schooner Virginia debuts at the Norfolk Harborfest where she leads the Parade of Sail.
Growing Through Teaching Sailing | Sincerely Sailing E.6
Hello, Sailors! Teaching Middle Schoolers math, science, communication and leadership through sailing at Sail Nauticus Community Sailing Center’s Academy Program.
It’s my Birthday & I’ll sail if I want to | Sincerely Sailing E.4
I got a GoPro Hero5 Session camera and a Blue Snowball Ice mic for my birthday! I am so excited to share better videos with you.
Birthday Sail. Aboria Luminarium. Adventure Cat. Lifting the spars and anchors back onto the Schooner Virginia via crane.
Who knew Sailing was this much work? | Sincerely Sailing E.3
Sanding Schooner Virginia’s blocks, splicing lines, replacing sails and a well-deserved sunset sail.
How to Start Sailing? (Or Rekindle Your Sailing Hobby)
The truth of the matter is, if you search ‘sailing near me’ you are most likely going to be offered a mixture of dolphin watching and dinner cruises. So in the google search result jungle, how do you find the right kind of sailing for you?
For Kids
This is a very easy age to get young people into sailing. Try searching for Sailing Summer Camps, After School Programs, Academies, Classes, Lessons, Clubs or even Teams.
For Adults (New to Experienced Sailors)
If you’re not sure what kind of sailing you’re looking for, read through the questions below and see what kind suits your current situation.
Are you curious about sailing but not quite sure if it’s the hobby for you? Check out First Sail! This is a great program helping sailing curious adults find a way out on the water.
Are you ready to be a social sailor? Search ‘Community Sailing Center’ instead of just sailing near me. You’re most likely going to find an easy going group that wants to share their passion for sailing with you for a price point that isn’t too terrifying. Memberships are as low at $20 a month at Sail Nauticus in Norfolk, Virginia. Community Sailing centers like Hudson River in NYC offer discounts to millennials.
If there isn’t a community sailing center near you, or if you’re looking for an upscale sail, try joining a Yacht Club. Plus, they’ll have many additional perks like pools and tennis courts.
Sailing Centers and Yacht Clubs are both likely to offer Learn to Sail classes or free clinics to members.
Are you ready to cast off and take a full course? Try looking for an American Sailing Association or US Sailing Class! There are many accredited sailing schools like Offshore Sailing and Blue Water Sailing School sailing out of ports all over the world. Some of these classes last a week or more and offer everything from monohulls to catamarans and cruising to racing. What a wonderful vacation!
If you’re not ready to commit a few thousand to an ASA course, you also have Basic Keelboat or any other Learn to Sail Class.
Would you rather be the captain of your own destiny? Try searching for a timeshare like SailTime or a one-time private boat charter.
Or are you ready to be crew? Try MeetUp.com! There are groups for sailors or even Captains looking for crew for races! This is a great way to get on the water with little to no cost deterrent. You’ll likely make friends with boats.
Or can you believe there’s an app for that? American Sailing Association has an App called Go Sailing to help Captains find crew and vice versa for cruising and racing!
Need an immediate fix for your sailing addiction? If you’re traveling or need a one-time sail, try searching for Schooner or Tallship Cruises in the area. They’re not likely going to be hands on but I’ve been on a few beautiful sunset and dinner cruises in Norfolk, NYC, and Paris.
Do you not necessarily need sails? Get on or in the water paddleboarding, kayaking, jet skiing, surfing, swimming, or Discover Boating.
Let me know if you can think of any other ways to help new sailors or old salt get out on the water.
Two Schooners & a Dolphin Pod | Sincerely Sailing E.1
Sailing next to the American Rover. Spotting dolphins in the Elizabeth River. Sanding blocks and a quick deck renovation tour for the Schooner Virginia. Sailing with the kids on a foggy day.
Sailing Themed Appetizers: Caprese Flotilla
I’d say our sailing club, like any club, has a big social component. We spend many days on the water but once a week we have camaraderie after racing, once a month we have a potluck, and about once a quarter we have an open house. I am always looking for fun sail themed dishes to bring.
Here is a quick guide to the Caprese Tall Ships I made recently.
Ingredients:
- 2 Tomatoes
- 1 Basil Plant
- Balsamic Glaze
- 1 Pack (10 Slices) of Mozzarella.
- 1 Baguette or Crustini
- Toothpicks
Directions:
1.) Start by slicing your baguette into rounds about 1/4 of an inch thick. This way they’re thick enough to be a sturdy base for the mast (toothpick).
2.) Slice the tomato into half rounds. (First, slice into rounds then cut them down the middle.) Lay 1 slice on each of the baguette rounds.
3.) Center a full or half leaf of basil on the tomato. (I had giant basil leaves so I ripped them down the middle)
4.) Add a drop, line, or swirl of Balsamic Glaze.
5.) Cut your slice of cheese. Trim the rough edge. Then cut in half. Finally, cut the top 1/3 off the rest of the slice.
The longer side ends up being the sides of the sail. While the shorter edges are the top and bottom.
6.) Assemble your sail! Fold your larger rectangle of cheese to be the bottom sail and your smaller rectangle to be the topsail.
7.) Poke your mast through the center of your boat. For the best results, make sure it goes through the basil leaf, tomato, and bread.
8.)Serve!
Tips:
- Use full thickness cheese slices. Thin slices end up being too crumbly!
- I found it easiest to hold both (shorter) ends of the cheese together and pierce them both then slide them apart to the appropriate spacing.
Sincerely, Sarah Ryan 