Most but not all racing is done in [...]]]> When purchasing a sailboat the first question you want to ask yourself is “What do I want to use it for?” Do you want to day sail around a local lake, do you want to race your boat or do you want to spend weekends camping on board?

Most but not all racing is done in relatively small boats, ranging from 8 to 28 feet, called “one designs”. In a one design, each boat of a given class is built to very rigorous standards and are supposed to be identical to each other thus making the race a test of skill versus one of hardware. If you want to sail one designs, then find out what the local clubs or groups are racing and buy one of those. These clubs are always looking for new members to race with and will usually help you to find and purchase your boat. Most one designs are not conducive to day sailing but there are some that will perform both functions quite well. Some racing is done via a handicap system in which case you can buy pretty much what ever you want as long as it is conducive to the local style of racing.

For day sailing, most people choose a somewhat larger heavier boat than a one design but one that can be carried on a trailer. These usually range from 16 to 25 feet long. While most boats will suffice for tooling around on a pleasant afternoon, try to purchase one that will best conform to local sailing conditions such as water depth and average wind strength. A very heavy boat on a lake with light winds will be frustrating to sail as would be one that is constantly running aground.

For camping or living on-board, you will probably want something 28 feet or longer. These boats are not readily able to be towed and must reside in a marine. Such boats usually come with a small engine, head (toilet) and small galley (kitchen). Obviously the larger the boat, the more elaborate and roomy the accommodations. Once again, take local conditions into account. Big boats draw more water and are not suitable for areas where the water depth can vary widely or is normally very shallow. They are also much slower in handling and thus require much more room to maneuver.

The vast majority of boats these days are built of fiberglass. You want to find a boat where the hull is smooth with no bubbles or blisters on the surface. The wood or “brightwork” may be varnished or not but it should be solid without soft spots, rot or cracks. The running rigging or lines that control the sails should be smooth and not frayed and the sails should be in good shape with no tears, worn spots, split seams or be all stretched out. This last is somewhat hard to judge. Newer sails are often very stiff, almost plastic like, older sails are soft and somewhat baggy. If there is decking, make sure that it is firm and does not flex much or at all. Most boats leak a little, this is why large boats have a “bilge pump”. Some designs will leak more than others, but it should never be more than a very small amount. If any of the boats leak quite a bit, then you will either need to find and repair the leak or buy something else.

For yachts, [...]]]> There are two main ways of describing a sailboat, by the boats hull type and by its rig or masts and sails. By and large, the rig is mostly used to describe larger boats and yachts and hull type to describe small boats. However there are a few exceptions where both descriptions are used.

For yachts, the vast majority of which use “fore and aft” rigs ( one or more triangular sails), the most common descriptions are sloop, cutter, ketch, yawl and occasionally schooner. These can be determined as follows:

A sloop has two sails, one extending from the bow to the mast called a jib and one extending behind the mast and along the boom ( the “spar” or pole that is perpendicular to the mast) called the mainsail. This is probably the most common type of rig.

A cutter looks identical to a sloop but the jib is usually fastened to an extension pointing forward from the bow called a “bowsprit”. Sometimes there may be more than one forward sail with the second sail usually referred to as a “staysail”.

A ketch is a very common rig for larger yachts. It will have two masts with the forward mast (the one closest to the bow and called the main mast) taller then the aft mast ( the one towards the rear of the boat and called the “mizzen”). The aft mast will be mounted forward of the “rudder post” or where the rudder is mounted to the boat. A ketch may or may not have a bowsprit and may or may not use one or more staysails.

A yawl is not as common as a ketch. The description of a yawl is the same as that of a ketch with two exceptions. The mizzen mast is mounted behind or “aft” of the rudder post and it is usually significantly smaller then the main mast.

A schooner is not a very common rig these days. It two is similar to a ketch except that the masts are reversed. The smaller mast is up front and called the “foremast” and the aft mast is the same height or much taller and called the main mast. In a schooner, the main mast is usually mounted more to the front of the boat then it would be on a ketch. A schooner may have more than two masts, may or may not have a bowsprit and often uses staysails and other types of sails.

A catamaran will have two hulls with a deck housing between them. They usually come rigged as a sloop or ketch. A trimaran is the same but with three narrow hulls.

In small boats the vast majority of the rigs are sloop so these boats are usually described by the hull type.

A dinghy is usually a small boat that is mostly or completely open.
A scow is usually a very “flat” wide hull that is mostly open and low to the water.
A cruiser is a somewhat larger heavier boat with high sides or “freeboard” that will have a small cabin.
A catamaran will have two very narrow hulls, usually with a fabric deck or “trampoline” between the hulls.

First, do some research at your library and find a good book that gives detailed sailing [...]]]> As with most things, there are two ways to learn to sail, in a school and by doing it. And as with most skills, the very best way is to learn is by doing both. Here’s what I would recommend.

First, do some research at your library and find a good book that gives detailed sailing instructions for newbies. A good book will have diagrams and pictures that will show you the ropes instead of just telling you about them.

Now that you have a basic understanding of how a boat goes, you are ready for a school and/or hands on training. A good school will mix some classroom training and theory (for which you will be well prepared because you read the book) with a lot of on the water training. Schools vary widely in terms of how and what they teach as well as the qualifications of the instructor. I highly recommend asking around about the different schools as well as a personal visit before enrolling. If you want to sail small boats, a school that trains on a 40 foot boat is probably not for you and the opposite may apply as well. Personally, I believe that all sailing skill are transferable. Learn to sail on a small boat, the skills required for a larger craft will come easier to you. You will also want a small class size so that you can make sure you get lots of sailing time as well as personal instruction.

If a school isn’t for you, try visiting a sailing club where they hold races. Most racers are constantly looking for crew and nothing perfects sailing skills better than competition. Try to find a patient “skipper” who will explain things to you. Be absolutely sure to inform the skipper as to the level of your experience. Some will be very interested in winning and sailing with them as a novice can be a very frustrating and possibly unpleasant experience. Others want to enjoy the race and have fun. These people may not be the very best sailors but will definitely make the best and most pleasant instructors as well as allow you to perform the most duties. If you hit it off with the skipper and enjoy the racing, you may be able to make your crewing a regular arrangement. One season of racing and I guarantee you will know how to sail.

No racing available where you live? Then either try to make friends with someone who owns a boat and will take you out several times or rent an boat. If you rent, get the smallest boat available and stay near the marina until you develop some competence and confidence. Getting someone who already knows how to sail join you will make the experience a lot more fun and greatly reduce any beginners anxiety. Do not take a date, your spouse or children the first couple of times you go out. You will need to concentrate on doing the sailing and the distraction will not be helpful.

Sailing is a “doing” activity. Theory is great but nothing is better than experience. As the saying goes, “The elegance of theory will never withstand the messiness of reality.”