| Millions of people have long known about the | | | | basic understanding, and they'll be well on their |
| wonders of sailing. To the inexperienced individual, | | | | way. So they jump out and before they realize it, |
| or downright beginner, though, it can seem like a | | | | they've either run aground somewhere or upside |
| skill that would be difficult, if not impossible, to | | | | down in the middle of the open water. The best |
| learn. The truth is that anyone can become a | | | | advice is to take it slow and don't overextend |
| sailor. They merely have to have the desire to do | | | | your abilities. |
| it. | | | | Many marinas will offer advice to beginners, but |
| Sailing is different than other modern forms of | | | | let's step back for a moment here. Most marinas |
| boating, such as power boating. Sailing uses the | | | | of course will be on larger waterways, rivers, and |
| resources of Mother Nature rather than the fossil | | | | the ocean. These waterways offer open areas to |
| fuels harvested from her belly. Wind drives | | | | learn, but they also pose risks due to strong |
| sailboats across the water, along with the learned | | | | currents and unpredictable wind patterns. The |
| skills of her captain. While there are many facets | | | | best places to start learning to sail would be inland |
| to know about sailing, the first point to understand | | | | lakes and other calm waterways. |
| when you're considering getting into sailing is to | | | | Many places will rent sailboats and also give |
| take it slow. And start small. | | | | lessons on the basics such as the different types |
| Don't assume that a forty-foot yacht is going to | | | | of sails, rigging, winching, steering, tacking, and |
| be less challenging or dangerous simply because of | | | | more. If you can rent a sailboat to begin learning |
| its size. A twelve-foot sailfish may not impress | | | | this wonderful art and activity on, then you will |
| any friends, but it's small enough to teach the | | | | also have a better understanding of the type of |
| basics and help you become familiar with the | | | | sailboat you may prefer to own. |
| patterns of the wind and how to harness that | | | | Some people prefer smaller boats so that they |
| power to maximum efficiency. | | | | can sail by themselves. If you have a sailboat that |
| One question that many beginners often ask | | | | requires at least two people to operate, then you |
| when getting into sailing is whether it is safe. The | | | | will be reliant on the schedule of the other person; |
| answer is simple: it's as safe as you want it to be. | | | | you won't be able to simply pack up and go |
| That answer may seem ambiguous on the | | | | whenever you want. |
| surface, but if you look a bit deeper, it does | | | | Ultimately, the best advice when you're ready to |
| make perfect sense. Anyone who is starting out | | | | start sailing is to learn the basics, try it out a few |
| sailing will be able to go about the process based | | | | times, and see if the open water calls to you in |
| on their level of comfort and the risks they are | | | | the middle of the night. If it does, then you're a |
| willing to take. | | | | true sailor at heart. |
| Daredevils will often jump into the larger boats | | | | What if I want to buy my own Sailboat? |
| and assume that all it takes is a little wind, some | | | | |