Take Some Inspiration From Those Who Got Hooked on Sailing as Adults
Would you like to take your sailing to the next level? Do you know someone who dreams of learning to sail? Make 2026 the year to start sailing more. Whether you want to jump into the deep end or just dip your toe in the water, there’s no better time than the present.
In this season of New Year resolutions, we bring you 10 inspiring quotes from sailors who took up the sport as adults. They’ve got real-world advice and encouragement. They are just a handful of the 100-plus sailors who have shared their stories.
“Get out there and sail! It’s going to be the greatest adventure of your life. Don’t be shy about asking for help, advice, guidance, or mentorship. Take a trip to the Annapolis Sailboat Show in October; it’s an excellent resource-gathering spot.” ~Suzanne Carter
“Sailing is way more accessible than you might think. For the price of a nice dinner, you can get an annual membership at a sailing club. Sailors are helpful, friendly, outgoing, and always willing to talk about sailing, and they usually need more hands on their boats.” ~Melissa McNulty
“Look for local sailing clubs and start reaching out to people. There are plenty of classes you can take, but you can also just look for opportunities to get on the water. Don’t be scared to reach out to strangers and just start a conversation about sailing; you never know where it can lead. Not only have I learned incredible new skills, but I’ve also met some of the most amazing people and developed some of the deepest friendships because of sailing. Sailing has become an integral part of who I am.” ~Joanna Cooper
“As a Latina, first generation citizen, who came from a low-income background, it’s hard not to think of minority communities when I sail. This is such a cool sport! There are amazing things you can see from a boat, such as gorgeous sunsets on the water and the night sky with no light pollution. You can feel the wind and waves as incredible forces of nature. It’s a truly surreal feeling, and it can be hard to put into words. Sometimes I just want to show my friends and family by taking them sailing. I hope one day I can help bridge the gap so that more people can try sailing.” ~Cristal Garcia-Lara
“Joining a club is a great way to get on lots of types of boats, and clubs bring in a social component. There’s usually a happy hour or similar gathering after sailing. We’ve made lots of friends through our sailing clubs.” ~Eli Lehrhaup
“The sailing journey is an incredible adventure filled with challenges and great experiences. Search the internet for sailing clubs to make connections with those who have boats and are willing to let you crew with them (Editor’s note: try the SpinSheet crewfinder tab). Take the American Sailing ASA 101 course. I learned much of what I know about sailing from ASA 101, talking to other sailors, watching YouTube channels about sailing, and putting into practice what I learned.” ~Jason O’Mara
“Don’t be afraid to give sailing a try; you just might fall in love with it. Sailing is a constant learning experience, and it has enriched my life tremendously. It’s never too late in life to learn new skills. Now I can’t imagine not having sailing as a part of my life.” ~Rick Lee
“We’d recommend taking a few ASA courses and joining a sailing club to get some time on the water with other folks interested in learning. Our biggest barriers were not knowing the Chesapeake, not knowing any other sailors, and not really having any real-life experiences sailing. The sailing club we joined (SailTime Annapolis) has been great for us. We have so many new friends who share our interest in being on the water.” ~Erika and Keanne
“Little did we know that within three years of learning to sail, the two of us would be certified by American Sailing as ‘offshore sailors’ by the Sail Solomons school, and we’d be cruising on a 38-foot Beneteau in the British Virgin Islands—just the two of us, having the adventure of a lifetime. Every time we go out, we learn something new. And the more we learn, the more empowered we feel, and the more fun we have. Yes, it’s a steep learning curve, but the first time you successfully drop a hook in a remote anchorage and sit together, just the two of you in the cockpit, watching the sunset over a glass of wine... it’s magic.” ~Camille and David Hartshorn
“Find a boat to race on. Two good ways to find such a boat are to attend the SpinSheet Crew Party or contact a racing club. Find a boat, show up to the dock early, bring drinks or snacks, learn to rig the boat, ask questions, follow the skipper’s instructions, and have a positive attitude.” ~Emily Manders
“The best thing about being a sailor, and a skipper campaigning my own boat, is making really good friends in my crew, within the fleet, and with other sailors in general. There is no reason to hold back! Take a lesson or two, and you will have connections to help get you on a boat outside of lessons. I am so glad I gained the courage to make that first step onto the boat; it changed my world forever.” ~Heidi Frist
Find more new sailor stories here at in SpinSheet, the only sailing magazine on the Chesapeake Bay.
