How do I learn to sail a small sailboat?

Question

How do I learn to sail a small sailboat?

Answer 1

The first step is to do a bit of reading - get a book on beginning sailing and review sail power and points of sail.

Next, look around your area for a sailing camp or sailing school.  For example, here in the Bay Area, there is a sailing camp that teaches beginning sailing and sailboarding at the Shoreline park.  The sailing is on a small lake that is sheltered.  It's a good idea to get three hours of supervised instruction before trying the boat alone.

Make sure you learn to beat into the wind along with tacking, which is turning the boat through the eye of the wind.  You also want to learn reaching, running and jibing.  Finally, you should master a man overboard drill to demonstrate your boat handling skills.

Once you get that far, it's off to a lifetime to master the sport.  Stay with the small boats to learn since they give instant feedback on your sailing skills.

Another opportunity is to find a marina that hosts sailboat racing.  Sailors are always looking for crew to help handle the sails and hike, or stabilize on Windward legs.  You can learn from very good sailors in competitive racing while having alot of fun doing it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Read a book, get a boat, find water, place boat in water, etc.

Are you really this stupid? Is anyone?

Answer 3

with the wind