| If you're interested in learning how to sail, or even | | | | Once the sailboat is in the water, you're ready to |
| if you used to sail and are thinking about getting | | | | set sail. Most sailboats above the Sunfish size |
| back into it, you're not alone. Thousands of people | | | | (approximately twenty feet and up) will have a |
| from around the world are either discovering or | | | | powered motor. The purpose of these are to get |
| rediscovering the art of sailing and for most of | | | | the sailboat beyond other ships and potentially |
| them, once they try it, they are continually called | | | | hazardous areas before hoisting the sails. These |
| back to the water for more wonderful | | | | motors are generally not required at any time, |
| adventures. | | | | but in no-wake zones (regions of the waterways |
| Basically, sailing is about being on the water and | | | | that have speed limits), an inexperienced person |
| reconnecting with nature, using nothing but the | | | | might find a strong wind will push them through |
| wind and some knowledge to guide the sailboat | | | | the water much too quickly. |
| through the water to your destination. The first | | | | For these boats, it's best to use the motor's |
| thing to understand about sailing is that it doesn't | | | | power to guide you out into the open before |
| necessarily have to be a multi-person task. | | | | hoisting the sails. Once clear of the danger areas |
| Smaller sailboats, those most commonly used in | | | | or no-wake zones, you're ready to sail. Winches |
| lakes and calm seas, can be easily managed by | | | | can be used to help raise the mainsail, or you can |
| one person. | | | | pull the rope through the winch and then lock it in |
| Sure, it can be more fun to sail with a friend, | | | | place. If the wind is blowing pretty strong and |
| learning the process as you two work together at | | | | you're not comfortable with great speed, you can |
| it, but solo sailing also offers wonderful benefits, | | | | simply raise the mainsail halfway. This helps control |
| such as the peacefulness and reflection that | | | | the speed of the sailboat. |
| comes with being alone on the water, watching | | | | If there is only a modest breeze and the mainsail |
| the world swim by in slow motion. | | | | isn't doing enough to move you through the |
| If you own your own sailboat but don't have it in | | | | water, then it's time to raise the headsail, or the |
| the water yet, this means that you'll have to | | | | jib if you have one. You may have to tack, or |
| launch it. Many marinas will offer the assistance | | | | steer against the wind until the sails can catch it |
| you might need to get your sailboat in the water, | | | | just right. Once you're up and moving, it's time to |
| and on weekends during the busy spring and | | | | enjoy the moment. Be aware, though, at all times |
| summer months in your location, there will almost | | | | of other ships. Sailboats do have the right-of-way |
| always be experience people who can help or give | | | | over powered boats of the same size, but barges |
| advice on the process. The most important thing | | | | and large ships have the right-of-way over you. |
| to consider is your clearance. When launching your | | | | Be safe at all times; only sail within your limits and |
| sailboat, you don't want to scrape the hull on the | | | | abilities. |
| ground. | | | | What if I want to buy my own Sailboat? |