Ok, so I just completed my basic keelboat sailing course. Where do I go next? The sailing instructor said I could just come back and rent the boat now. But I am still not sure I am ready to just launch into local waters without some more information about where I can and cannot go. I assume there are sailing clubs around. What charts will I need to buy in order to learn the local waters? Basically, how do I go further with sailing independently?
Join a local sailing club / Yacht club.
Make yourself available as a crew.
Where are you?
If in the UK, take a look at YachtsandYachting.com for a list of clubs.