Msida Marina, Malta
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Not everyone is that lucky to sail whenever they can. For some people, taking a sailing course is a way of experiencing a sport they may always have wondered about. For others, that is a form of excitement and simply an enjoyable way to spend their days. And for some of them, learning how to sail is a gateway to a lifelong passion.
Why Learn How to Sail a Boat?
For starters, sailing is especially exciting for people who try this for the first time. One of the coolest things when it comes to sailing for beginners is sailing upwind, even for a short period of time around the bay. You will hear the sail and feel the wind on your face, you’ll hear the waves splashing and feel the boat heel to one side. Probably one of the most wonderful things you are going to experience is hanging out with the dolphins. And all that, believe it or not, will give you a direction and you’ll know exactly what to do next.
People who sail make a special connection with nature. That is a consequence of moving the boat. Sailing makes most people feel calm. Some of them even consider this sport as a spiritual experience where you become one with the waves.
Sailing Basics
When it comes to sailing basics, there are a few simple things you need to know:
1. THE WAY WIND MOVES A BOAT
No matter which courses on how to sail a boat for beginners you take, you will find out that one of the basic things you will learn about sailing is the way the wind moves a boat. Long story short, a sail full of wind forms an airfoil and propels the boat with lift, the way a plane’s wig does. The work of sailing is to position or trim the sails in order to maximize lift in the direction you want to go.
2. TRY OFF A LINE
At some point, while sailing, you will need to secure a line to a leat. What you should do is use a simple knot called a cleat hitch, and in case you are not sure how to do that, here are some easy steps you should take:
– Start with the horn farthest from the load. Then wrap the line around both horns. You should do this only once because if you do it more, it increases the odds of jamming.
– Make at least two figure-eight turns around the cleat
– Secure the free end of the line by tucking it under the last turn.
3. GET THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT
When you are learning to sail, any skipper that will take you out for a lesson will have safety equipment and navigation hardware. But, you need to dress for the occasion. What you need to do first is to picture a sailor in your mind (Popeye maybe) and try not to dress like that. No, you don’t need a cable-knit sweater and pipe.
Just wear the layers you would wear on land but make sure to have grippy and non-marking shoes, polarized sunglasses – you need them to see how the water is moving and they will help you read the wind. You should wear sailing gloves and windbreakers – an excellent barrier to both wind and water, and there’s just enough heft to it to offer a little warmth as well. Another thing that is very important is the logbook. This is where you keep track of the classes you’ve completed and the hours you spend on the water.
Best Beginner Sailboat
When searching for a beginner sailboat, you need to take into consideration small boats. Small boats are better teachers just because they react quickly to crew weight shifts or wind shifts. This is good for students who are still learning how to sail because they are more in tune with the boat and their surroundings.
