For those of you who don't know me, I have been a resident of the North Fork of Long Island for18 years and have spent most of that time sailing, racing, and teaching at Old Cove. I am currently enrolled in SUNY Stony Brook University to complete my undergraduate degree in High School Education
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The primary boat for Adult Sailing lessons at Old Cove is the J-24. It is 24 feet long, almost 9 feet wide and has a 4 foot long, 960 pound lead keel on the bottom to prevent capsizing at all costs. That's right guys, on this boat, you will never capsize. This proven boat design has been around since the 1970s and is one of the most popular small keelboats in the world. It has a quiver of different sails tailor made for varying conditions. We have a mainsail, a jib (for heavier wind days), a genoa (larger jib for lighter wind days) and a spinnaker. Depending on which lessons you are enrolled in, we will learn the nuances of each sail as well as general boathandling, sail trim, racing tactics, local knowledge and seamanship.
We had some fantastic lessons this week. Monday and Tuesday were scorchers but we managed with water bottles full of water (don't want to dehydrate) and open minds. Wednesday and Thursday were much more comfortable. Some classes practiced sailing around Robin's Island (our centerpiece here in Peconic Bay) while others practiced their skills closer to home but all in all, I think every student had a great time. I know I did.
I hope you guys check this blog regularly. As I mentioned before, I will try to update this pages several times a week with pictures. We are constantly looking for new students to participate in our lessons as well. If you would like to learn more about the program, you can talk to me personally at the club (I'm the big, tall, dark haired guy but don't worry, I'm a teddy bear) or you can email me at kuehnde@gmail.com with your availability and skill level. I will try my hardest to get you out the water ASAP!
I can sense that this is the start of an incredible summer and I hope you all can find time in your busy schedules to join me for a small portion of it. Sailing is truly a skill you can utilize for the rest of your life.
See you on the water!!
