how hard is it to learn to sail a boat?

5 comments

1. 

   leftwing24 on January 6, 2009 at 8:37 am

   I’ve got a “how I learned to sail” story; you can see it here…

   I guess it depends on your particular learning style. If you can learn how to do something by reading the manual, then I recommend “Sailing for Dummies”; I taught myself to sail using this book.
   There are many videos available (I’ve gotten many of them via Netflix), some are better than others, and, in many cases, MUCH better than others.

   However, nothing will beat being trained by a certified sailing instructor. If you are planning to sail the Carribean, you are typically looking at a larger (fixed-keel) boat, and taking some formal classes would not only be prudent, it should be required. After all, you wouldn’t put a beginner driver behind the wheel and send them out onto the road without at least SOME training…
   I learned how to sail on a 10 foot dinghy on a private lake, and became pretty accomplished with regards to the mechanics/process of sailing. But that is just the beginning; in order to sail bigger boats out on the ocean, there is another level of knowledge necessary to not only be successful, but just to keep yourself alive (like rules of the road, navigation, docking, anchoring, storm tactics, etc).

   Most areas have clubs or schools where you can get certified training; the two certification groups that I know of are US Sailing and ASA. If you are planning to shell out some bucks for a sailboat and intend to be out on the ocean for days at a time, the classes are cheap, considering the knowledge you will gain.

   Even though I was a pretty good dinghy sailor, the club where I took my classes wouldn’t let me sail their boats unless I took at least the Basic Keelboat class (4 day class, half classroom, half on the water). It bugged me at first, but in hindsight I’m glad they did it.

   I have several ASA certifications (Basic Keelboat, Basic Coastal Cruising, Coastal Navigation); I would recommend these as a bare minimum to do anything more than daysailing. You should seriously consider Bareboat Chartering (even if you own your own boat), and Advanced Coastal Cruising. My club offers package deals on more advanced training; shop around, but make sure your instructors are certified to teach the particular class.

   I’ve taught a number of people to sail (including my children), but I would (and do) encourage them and anyone to take a formal class if they want to be certified. The guys who taught my classes have forgotten more about sailing than I have learned to date.

   {edit}
   Thanx Ed. It is my experience (and I have been told the same by others) that if you learn on a small boat (like a dinghy or Hobie cat), the larger boats are much easier to sail. When I was learning to sail on the Sprite, my buddy told me that it would be the hardest boat I’d ever sail. When I finally took the keelboat class, the instructor asked if anyone had ever sailed before. When it was my turn, I told my “learning to sail” story; he stopped me and announced that dinghy sailors were the best sailors, especially if they sailed on a lake, because everything happens faster (sometimes MUCH faster) on a dinghy, and lake sailing is especially challenging due to significant wind shifts. I taught my brother to sail on a keelboat out of Boston harbor. After a summer of sailing on the ocean, he almost quit sailing when we went back to the lake.

2. 

   josephrob2003 on January 8, 2009 at 4:31 am

   try the RYA,they are well known for all types of training for all types of water craft,you cant do better than this,and there is a lot to learn before you venture out on your own,but it is fun doing these course’s and you get to make a lot of new friends

3. 

   Ed G on January 9, 2009 at 4:44 pm

   I agree with Left. Start with a book then get an instructor (or friend that already sails). The boat you learn on will make a big difference. I personally like the Aqua Cat for beginners. Very stable, easy to control, reasonably quick, and super easy to rig. It is also light so it is easy to trailer. Something like a Hobie requires a lot of experience (as well as at least 2 people to rig it) but it is much faster and more fun.

4. 

   b k on January 10, 2009 at 11:31 am

   To learn to sail offshore, you should take some sailing classes.especially if you have never sailed before.
   Its not hard I taught my kids when they were 7.
   To visit foreign ports . First you can buy cruising guides for almost every location in the world. They will help you with local places to visit and to stay and where to stay away from.

   To go to the Bahamas ( you mentioned.)
   You need a passport,& another picture id.
   You need a yellow quarantine flag. You need a bahama courtesy flag
   Your first stop is customs and immigration. ONly the captain can go all crew must give him their papers and he must go alone.
   There is a fee to enter on a boat . The price depends on the size of the boat
   Under 35 ft I think was around $150.00 bigger boat much more.
   Not all ports are entrance ports so you’ll have to research what port to go to.
   Navigation. : better learn how. Miss the islands by a bit and your on your way to france.
   Hope some of this helps.

5. 

   Christopher W on January 12, 2009 at 11:00 am

   Sailing is based on logic. It’s not hard. The navigation is a bit tricky, but by learning through pilotage close to the shore you can pick it up.

   Before you buy a boat and sail around the Caribbean, you need experience first. Get to grips with the practical aspects of the boat and looking after it. Once you can maintain your vessel then the world is your oyster.

   Have a look at

   It’s a site dedicated to sailboat maintenance. All aspect covered.

   The routine for docking at unfamilar ports is straight forward.
   Once your close you raise the harbour master or marina on the VHF and identify yourself to them. You will need to let them know you want to stay. They will guide you to the correct spot.

   The sailing community on the whole is very friendly and helpful.

   Best Wishes

   Chris