Learn to Sail
From exciting and adventurous to relaxing and meditative, sailing can mean many different things to many different people. If you've always wanted to learn how to sail it's never too late to learn and easier than you probably think.
The information below can help you get started on fulfilling your life's goal or dream of learning how to sail.
Sailing Instruction
If you are serious about learning how to sail, the best place to start is with a school or program that is certified by either US Sailing or the American Sailing Association. These two organizations are the leading authorities on the sport of sailing and sail instruction within the United States.
When searching for a school or program near you make sure the course curriculum, as well as the instructor, is US Sailing or American Sailing Association certified to ensure that you are getting the very best in the way of class room instruction and on-the-water practical training.
Click on the links below to find sailing centers near you that are affiliated with and certified by US Sailing and the American Sailing Association.
Some Basics
When it comes to sail instruction, there are three basic types of curriculum that are usually offered at a sailing center: Small boats, Keelboats and Multihulls. Read the information below to become familiar with each of these boat types, but know that much more can be learned by visiting a sailing center and seeing in person what each type is like and how comfortable you feel on board.
- Small boat – Usually under 20-25 feet in length, small boats feature a retractable centerboard or swing keel and can often be trailered. These types of boats are typically used on small bodies of water and protected ocean areas such as a bay or cove, and can be sailed single-handed. Some small boats may have a small cabin on board to stow gear. Small boats are often referred to as daysailers or dingies.
- Keelboat – These boats range in size from 20-50+ feet in length, and feature a heavy weighted fin on the bottom of the boat (the keel), which acts as a counterbalance to the force of the wind in the sails. Keelboats smaller than 25 feet can often be sailed single-handed, whereas larger boats require additional hands. These types of boats can be sailed in coastal waters (within the sight of land) or offshore (open ocean). Keelboats also feature a cabin, which is often large enough to stow gear and provides amenities such as sleeping berths, cooking facilities and toilets, as well as an auxiliary engine. Keelboats go by many different names depending on the configuration of the mast(s) and sails, but most common are sloop, ketch and yawl.
- Multihull – These boats range in size from 10-50+ feet in length. Catamarans feature two hulls and trimarans feature three hulls. Smaller multihulls can often be trailered and can be found on small bodies of water, as well as the open ocean. Larger multihulls can be sailed in coastal waters or offshore. Large multihulls also feature cabins, which are often large enough to stow gear and provides amenities such as sleeping berths, cooking facilities and toilets, as well as an auxiliary engine.
In addition to taking courses based on boat type, you can also take courses based on the type of sailing you wish to do (e.g., coastal/offshore, racing/cruising).
Additional Information
Here are other sources of information on sailing:
For additional information please call us at 800.701.5512.