This is where I answer some common questions about sailing, and the Key West Sailing Club, and hopefully get you enthusiastic about sailing with us. The more the merrier, because there is nothing so beautiful as a bunch of sailboats zipping around each other out on the water.

Is sailing fun? If you happen to be lucky enough to be in Key West, Florida, then having fun out on the beautiful ocean is almost mandatory. Yes, sailing is very fun - for solo racers, or families and their children.

Is sailing hard to learn? Everyone can learn how to sail. You turn a rudder, you pull a rope attached to your sail, and off you go - no gasoline required. On everyones very first sail, you quickly discover that you can get to wherever you want.

Is sailing only for rich people? No. Sailing is for all walks of life. One thing is for sure though, you will feel rich after a day on the water, mastering the wind and waves. We don't see many blue blazers at our club, and we tend to call our boats "boats" instead of "yachts".

Is sailing physically demanding? No. Small boats change direction with only a small amount of pressure. The Key West Sailing Club has members in gradeschool, in their 70's, and all ages in between. Never make the mistake of thinking the young kid or the old man in the boat next to you is a piece of cake to beat across the finish line.

What's the difference between a novice and an expert sailor? Speed. Novice sailors take longer to get from point A to point B. Experts seem to fly wherever they are going. This is really a matter of experience and awareness. Expert sailors see things before they happen, and adjust accordingly.

Do I have to learn all that nautical talk before I go sailing? No. Every sailor understands right, left, front, and back. The terminology will come to you in time.

Is sailing expensive? Not unless you decide you just have to buy your own boat. Fortunately, if you join the Key West Sailing Club, you can use the club boats to get out on the water and have some fun. Joining the Key West Sailing Club costs $160 per year. Once you pay that membership, you and your whole family have access to the club and it's boats, every day of the year. Whenever you feel like going sailing, the club is there ready for you. Come visit us during our open house every Saturday from 10AM to 3PM, and find out if the place is right for you.

What boats does the Key West Sailing Club have for me to use? That changes a lot over time, but right now we have:

Will anyone at the club teach me how to sail? Yes. We have many club members who are always looking for someone to help them crew (meaning you get to go out on their boat and learn the ropes while they do all the worrying), and we also have patient instructors who can teach you all you need to know to get out there and captain your own vessel.

Is the Key West Sailing Club active? Very. With the wonderful weather we have here in Key West, there is always a racing series going on. Also, club members tend to spend lots of time keeping the club in order and socializing. We gather routinely to chat and eat and drink. Once you join, the Key West Sailing Club becomes your clubhouse, where you can bring the kids, or just sit on the dock and watch the sunset in peace and quiet.

Is sailing safe? Yes. If you use the club boats, then you will spend most of your time in water between 3 and 5 feet deep, in either Garrison Bight or the Seaplane Basin. Both areas are protected areas inside the reef. There are a few things you need to watch out for, but your instructor will teach you all about those.

At the same time, the Key West Sailing Club has lifejackets available for club members to use. Wear your lifejacket!

We also have a certification program, where you prove your seamanship to move up to faster boats. After you prove your skills on one of our simpler or more stable boats, you can learn to rig and sail one of the racers. This is to make sure you observe safe rules of operation, and know how to handle the more tempermental racing craft.

What weather is perfect for sailing? That's up to you. When I first joined I wanted the winds very light and the waves nonexistent. Other, more experienced club members just can't resist going out when the wind is gusting at 25 knots. See our links page to check the weather and see if it's right for you. Don't spend too much time waiting for the perfect day though. Confidence comes from carefully expanding your horizons.

What if I want to just drift around and play on the water? Then go have fun. The most fun you can have sailing is just getting out there, with no real concern for how fast you get from place to place, feeling the wind, enjoying the day, and relaxing. When a porpoise comes along to swim in your wake for a while, you just might have one of those "near life experiences".

What if I want to sail fast and win races? You will find lots of competitors at the Key West Sailing Club. We have racers who spend a lot of time tweaking their boats and perfecting their technique. The great thing about them is they just can't stop talking about sailing. Keep your ears open for tips and pointers, and see if you can't apply them during the next race.

I don't have a lot of time. Can I still sail? Our smaller boats can be rigged up and out on the water in about 10 minutes. At that point, you can stay out for a few minutes, or all day. The choice is yours.

I'm convinced, where do I go to sail? Click on the Our location link to find direction to the Key West Sailing Club, or click on Contacts to find out other ways to get in touch with us.

Our motto for 2002 is "Stop Snivelling, Go Sailing". Not that you were snivelling to begin with, but a day on the water tends to wash all a persons cares away. You're already in paradise, now get out there and enjoy it!

To see pictures of the sailclub in action CLICK HERE