Sailing at USNA
- Thread starter AshRay
- Start date
AF6872
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2007
- Messages
- 4,842
He will get a chance but many trying out have sailed before. My Daughter graduated from a school with a big sailing program and had sailed for a few months from Newport to the Bahamas and then on a Spanish Emersion around Puerto Rico. Her earlier training was great on a 69' but no racing experience. Roommate got accepted to Stanford for sailing so she was kind of intimidated. She decided not to try out because it would have been tough for Offshore or even Inshore. They still get sail training and can still get their license to use the available boats at the yard through recreational sailing (the only way to go). Navy 44's are really nice and her first summer after Plebe Year they sailed up to Newport on the 44's during OSTS. She then got her 26' license and they had a lot of fun. My Nephew's BGO told him a long time ago to try for sailing. You get a one man with no one yelling at you for a couple of hours a day!
http://www.usna.edu/Sailing/
http://www.navysailing.org/join.htm
http://www.usna.edu/Sailing/
http://www.navysailing.org/join.htm
There are two sailing "teams" at USNA - intercollegiate in dinghies and Varsity Offshore Sailing Team in identical Navy 44s and a few donated boats, such as a TP 52, a J-120 and a few others. This summer part of the VOST is racing NYYC Regatta weekend in Newport, RI and following that up with the Newport-Bermuda race.
VOST just finished their training DelMarVa circumnavigation.
Many of the VOST team members have had no prior experience.
VOST just finished their training DelMarVa circumnavigation.
Many of the VOST team members have had no prior experience.
AF6872
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2007
- Messages
- 4,842
Go for VOST if any slot is available. Your son will never regret it. Nothing like it! Glad to hear they train from the ground up. Will have a long talk with DD about why not VOST since she had blue water experience? Night watch on a long reach. Priceless! Newport is a great Anchorage for them at Naval Base Newport slips (they get a van) or downtown in the harbor (walk to anywhere). NYYC puts on a great program for the visiting boats around the harbor at their beautiful buildings on Wellington Avenue around the turn from Ida Lewis on upper Wellington Avenue. If they anchor out there they will need transportation downtown but I think all Naval Academy Boats dock at Naval Base Newport. If they dock at Naval Base Newport they will definitely need the Van as it is a long way to downtown. If they get a chance go to the NYYC for any of the offered evenings as it is a once in a lifetime experience. Then wander down Thames Street, North and South and watch the people. Take your picture at the wave sculpture (they will know it when they see it). They look good in the Whites downtown but can get confused with the OCS on liberty. If they save all their money have lunch here:
One of the greatest places in Newport but very expensive:
http://www.castlehillinn.com/
Downtown but somewhat pricey but fun with lots of young people and can eat in the outdoor area for a lot less money: Dress Whites will make a big impression:
http://www.blackpearlnewport.com/
also:
http://bowenswharf.com/
One of the greatest places in Newport but very expensive:
http://www.castlehillinn.com/
Downtown but somewhat pricey but fun with lots of young people and can eat in the outdoor area for a lot less money: Dress Whites will make a big impression:
http://www.blackpearlnewport.com/
also:
http://bowenswharf.com/
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One of the biggest problems in racing Marion-Bermuda (last year-odds) or Newport-Bermuda (this year-evens) is getting the Mids to leave Bermuda. They love it and are treated wonderfully.
You can even follow the progress of the race on your computer.
You can even follow the progress of the race on your computer.
The Plebes preliminary sailing training during Plebe Summer will be aboard Colgate 26s, which are nice boats to start with. Everyone takes sail training. That will be a good trial run to see if your Mid is truly interested in either of the competitive sailing teams.
As others have mentioned, it's probably easier for a "walk on" to get a spot on VOST than most other sports. While several positions (helm, navigator, sail trimmers, foredeck) require experience, there are also positions, i.e. "rail weight" that require mostly physical size, strength and some agility.
Inshore, or dinghy, racing can sometimes use an inexperienced person if he/she is the right size to fill out the crew for an experienced helmsperson. Here, it's really important that the person has agility, and can learn rapidly.
As mentioned in a previous post, your Plebe WILL learn sailing basics during Plebe Summer, and it will be possible for him/her to pursue a "skipper's card" for the right to take out the Colgate 26's later in his/her career as a Mid, even if he/she is not on one of the sailing teams.
Inshore, or dinghy, racing can sometimes use an inexperienced person if he/she is the right size to fill out the crew for an experienced helmsperson. Here, it's really important that the person has agility, and can learn rapidly.
As mentioned in a previous post, your Plebe WILL learn sailing basics during Plebe Summer, and it will be possible for him/her to pursue a "skipper's card" for the right to take out the Colgate 26's later in his/her career as a Mid, even if he/she is not on one of the sailing teams.