I did get your PM. but I won't make it to ocean springs. I think that will probably be the weekend that I will get my boat.
I will definitely try to help others into the sport after I learn. I am an adult educator by profession. It is difficult to be a woman in a male dominated sport. (kayaking was too) I am the only woman anywhere around me that is interested in cats. That is why I know that I will be sailing alone most of the time. Women won't come out with me but get mad if their men do. It would be better if I looked like a boy...I don't. As a kayaker I have gotten more than one of my male friends in trouble for kayaking with me. Their women could not understand why they needed to be out with me for a few hours. It is better if I just stay out of that drama and plan to be alone. The problem with that is it can get lonely and it is not the safest idea. I always let somebody know where I planned to be. I understood that if I got into trouble it might be a very long wait so I always planned for that. White water can be much more isolating than a lake so I think this will actually be much safer.
I hope that after I learn I can teach other women to sail. I hope I can make my own playmates.