Learn to Sail
It’s probably easier to learn how to sail than you think. You can learn through an organized program or on your own. Here you can get started learning the main parts of a sailboat and the use of each, from sails to rigging to rudder. Learn the basics of sailing at different angles to the wind, handling the boat, turning and stopping, and leaving and returning to the dock.
Learn About Sailboats and How to Sail
Getting started sailing involves learning about sailboats and number of skills needed for sailing. Start here for an introduction to sailboats and basic sailing techniques. Also included are safety on the water, including required safety gear and equipment, and sailing laws and regulations.
Getting started sailing involves learning about sailboats and number of skills needed for sailing. Start here for an introduction to sailboats and basic sailing techniques. Also included are safety on the water, including required safety gear and equipment, and sailing laws and regulations.
How to Raise the Mainsail
Raising the mainsail is one of the first steps in setting sail. Although usually a simple, easy process, beginners may experience snags if they’re not careful. Follow these guidelines to get the main up smoothly and the boat underway.
Raising the mainsail is one of the first steps in setting sail. Although usually a simple, easy process, beginners may experience snags if they’re not careful. Follow these guidelines to get the main up smoothly and the boat underway.
How to Anchor a Sailboat
Good sailboat anchoring technique is crucial for safety. If the anchor drags because it was not properly set or because insufficient scope was used, the sailboat may go ashore or strike another boat or other hazard. Follow these guidelines to help ensure your boat is safely anchored so you can get a good night’s sleep.
Good sailboat anchoring technique is crucial for safety. If the anchor drags because it was not properly set or because insufficient scope was used, the sailboat may go ashore or strike another boat or other hazard. Follow these guidelines to help ensure your boat is safely anchored so you can get a good night’s sleep.
How to Gybe a Sailboat
Gybing is the act of turning a sailboat across the wind downwind. The sails move from far out on one side to far out on the other. Gybing can he a difficult, even dangerous maneuver, depending on the boat and conditions. Read how to do a controlled, safe gybe.
Gybing is the act of turning a sailboat across the wind downwind. The sails move from far out on one side to far out on the other. Gybing can he a difficult, even dangerous maneuver, depending on the boat and conditions. Read how to do a controlled, safe gybe.
How to Tack a Sailboat
Tacking, or “coming about,” is the act of turning a sailboat across the eye of the wind. From being close hauled into the wind with the sails in tight on one side, you turn into the wind and across to the other side, usually a turn of about 90 degrees. Read how to tack a sailboat smoothly and safely.
Tacking, or “coming about,” is the act of turning a sailboat across the eye of the wind. From being close hauled into the wind with the sails in tight on one side, you turn into the wind and across to the other side, usually a turn of about 90 degrees. Read how to tack a sailboat smoothly and safely.
How to Use a Mainsheet Traveler
Although the mainsheet tackle attaches to a fixed point on some smaller sailboats, most cruising and racing sailboats have a mainsheet traveler that allows for better positioning of the boom for the best sail trim and boat speed. Read this article to learn how to use a traveler.
Although the mainsheet tackle attaches to a fixed point on some smaller sailboats, most cruising and racing sailboats have a mainsheet traveler that allows for better positioning of the boom for the best sail trim and boat speed. Read this article to learn how to use a traveler.
How to Dock a Sailboat
Going slow and sure is key when bringing your boat to the dock and tying up. Be sure to tie dock lines properly.
Going slow and sure is key when bringing your boat to the dock and tying up. Be sure to tie dock lines properly.
How to Moor a Sailboat
Sailboats are kept in the water on moorings in many areas. Mooring a sailboat can be easy or difficult, depending on the wind, waves, and water currents. Learn how to moor a sailboat efficiently and safely.
Sailboats are kept in the water on moorings in many areas. Mooring a sailboat can be easy or difficult, depending on the wind, waves, and water currents. Learn how to moor a sailboat efficiently and safely.
Basic Sailing Knots
Because sailing involves many lines (ropes) that you need to tie in various ways for different uses, it is important to know a few basic knots when learning to sail. Here are step-by-step directions for tying a cleat hitch, bowline, clove hitch, and other essential sailing knots.
Because sailing involves many lines (ropes) that you need to tie in various ways for different uses, it is important to know a few basic knots when learning to sail. Here are step-by-step directions for tying a cleat hitch, bowline, clove hitch, and other essential sailing knots.
How to Tie a Clove Hitch
A clove hitch is frequently used on boats for securing a line around a rail, post, or other cylindrical structure. It is a secure temporary knot used, for example, to hang fenders on the boat’s rails or lifelines. Because it can work loose if there is not continual tension on the line, however, it should be used only in certain situations.
A clove hitch is frequently used on boats for securing a line around a rail, post, or other cylindrical structure. It is a secure temporary knot used, for example, to hang fenders on the boat’s rails or lifelines. Because it can work loose if there is not continual tension on the line, however, it should be used only in certain situations.
Points of Sail and Sail Trim
“Point of sail” refers to the angle of the sailboat to the direction from which the wind is blowing. Different terms are used for the different points of sail, such as close hauled (sailing close to the wind), beam reach (with the wind sideways over the beam), and running (downwind). The sails are trimmed differently on each point of sail.
“Point of sail” refers to the angle of the sailboat to the direction from which the wind is blowing. Different terms are used for the different points of sail, such as close hauled (sailing close to the wind), beam reach (with the wind sideways over the beam), and running (downwind). The sails are trimmed differently on each point of sail.
How to Trim the Jib Using Telltales
The easiest and most efficient way to trim the jib is to pay attention to telltales at the sail’s leading edge. The telltales show you when to pull in the sail or let it out for the greatest power.
The easiest and most efficient way to trim the jib is to pay attention to telltales at the sail’s leading edge. The telltales show you when to pull in the sail or let it out for the greatest power.
How to Tie a Stop Knot
A stop knot is tied in the end of running rigging on a sailboat to prevent the knot from pulling through a block, cleat, or other gear. A stop knot should hold firm but also be easy to untie when needed. The figure-eight stop knot generally works best.
A stop knot is tied in the end of running rigging on a sailboat to prevent the knot from pulling through a block, cleat, or other gear. A stop knot should hold firm but also be easy to untie when needed. The figure-eight stop knot generally works best.
How to Tie a Bowline
The bowline is among the most commonly used knots on a sailboat. With it, you can tie a line (rope) in a loop around anything else to anchor the line. The bowline is not only strong and secure but is easy to break loose later, even when pulled tight under a load.
The bowline is among the most commonly used knots on a sailboat. With it, you can tie a line (rope) in a loop around anything else to anchor the line. The bowline is not only strong and secure but is easy to break loose later, even when pulled tight under a load.
How to Tie a Cleat Hitch
A cleat hitch is used to tie dock lines to a cleat, to tie an anchor rode to the boat's bow cleat, and to secure other lines on a boat to cleats.
A cleat hitch is used to tie dock lines to a cleat, to tie an anchor rode to the boat's bow cleat, and to secure other lines on a boat to cleats.
How to Leave the Dock Under Power
To begin sailing, you have to leave the dock. Most sailboats leave the dock under power. Use a spring line when needed to control the boat in a blow or if there is a boat immediately ahead.
To begin sailing, you have to leave the dock. Most sailboats leave the dock under power. Use a spring line when needed to control the boat in a blow or if there is a boat immediately ahead.
Learn the Basics of Nautical Charts
Learn how to read and interpret a nautical chart. Important aspects are longitude and latitude, soundings and bottom characteristics, compass directions, and distance scales. It is important to understand chart basics when learning to sail in unfamiliar waters.
Learn how to read and interpret a nautical chart. Important aspects are longitude and latitude, soundings and bottom characteristics, compass directions, and distance scales. It is important to understand chart basics when learning to sail in unfamiliar waters.
Sailing Schools
Many people prefer to learn to sail by attending a sailing school. Facilities affiliated with the American Sailing Association (ASA) offer programs all around the country. Start here to learn more and find a sailing school in your area.
Many people prefer to learn to sail by attending a sailing school. Facilities affiliated with the American Sailing Association (ASA) offer programs all around the country. Start here to learn more and find a sailing school in your area.
Roller Furling Jibs
Most midsize and large sailboats used for cruising have roller furling jibs rather than hanked-on jibs. A roller furler makes it easy to bring the jib in and out and to reef the jib when the wind increases. Learn how to use a furling jib.
Most midsize and large sailboats used for cruising have roller furling jibs rather than hanked-on jibs. A roller furler makes it easy to bring the jib in and out and to reef the jib when the wind increases. Learn how to use a furling jib.