How long does it take to learn to sail?
Most people can steer, tack and trim the sails in moderate winds after a few days of instruction. Becoming a confident skipper who can handle the boat in stronger winds, in a marina and with a crew usually takes a season or two of regular sailing.
Is sailing hard to learn?
No. The basic idea of sailing is simple and most people can steer and tack after a short course. What takes time is doing it well in changing conditions, which comes with practice rather than talent.
What age can you learn to sail?
You can learn to sail at almost any age. Children often start in small single-handed dinghies from about seven or eight, and many adults take it up in their fifties, sixties or later, often on keelboats, which are steadier and less physical.
How do I learn to sail?
The best way is a beginner’s course with a sailing club or a recognised sailing school, followed by as much time on the water as you can get, for example by crewing in club races.
What should I wear sailing?
Wear layers you can add to or take off, a windproof and waterproof jacket, soft non-marking shoes with good grip, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, and always a lifejacket. Avoid cotton when it is cold, because it stays wet and cold.
Should I learn to sail in a dinghy or a keelboat?
Either works. A dinghy teaches you quickly because it responds to every change in the wind, but it can capsize and you will get wet. A keelboat is steadier, drier and more comfortable, and suits people who want to cruise or sail with others.
How can I crew on someone else’s boat?
The easiest way is through a sailing club: many clubs keep a crew list or noticeboard, and skippers are often short of crew for club races. Turn up, tell the skipper honestly how much experience you have, and be reliable.
Is sailing expensive?
It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. Crewing on other people’s boats costs very little, club dinghy sailing is fairly affordable, and owning a yacht is the expensive end because of berthing, maintenance and insurance.
Do you need to be able to swim to go sailing?
You don’t need to be a strong swimmer to sail on a yacht, but you should be comfortable in the water and always wear a lifejacket. Many dinghy courses ask that you can swim a short distance, because capsizing is part of dinghy sailing.
Do you need a licence to sail a boat?
In New Zealand and the United Kingdom you don’t need a licence to sail your own recreational boat, but the skipper is responsible for the safety of the boat and everyone aboard. The rules differ in other countries, and charter companies usually ask for proof of experience.