| You've decided you want to learn how to sail. Now | | | | one sail. |
| you just need to choose a boat to learn how to sail in. | | | | You will also want a conventional single-hulled boat. |
| There are a lot of choices, and several things you | | | | Multihulled boats, such as catamarans and trimarans |
| need to consider. There are several different kinds of | | | | can be a bit too much for learners as they are more |
| sailboats to choose from. There are wet and dry | | | | high performance boats. You will want to get a boat |
| beginner sailboats. There are also more advanced | | | | with a fiberglass hull. A fiberglass hull requires less |
| kinds such as catamaran sailboats, and there are cabin | | | | maintenance than a wooden hull, and it is lightweight |
| sailboats as well. | | | | and fairly easy to repair. |
| On Wet Beginner Sailboats, you can expect to get | | | | You will want to buy a boat that is at least 12' for two |
| wet most of the time. You sit on the deck or on the | | | | adults, or at least 10' for two children. Make sure your |
| floor. These boats are easier to manage so they are | | | | boat is big enough for two people. |
| good for beginners. On Dry Beginner Sailboats, you will | | | | You will want a boat with a centerboard or |
| stay dry most of the time (in good weather). You sit | | | | daggerboard keel. Centerboard or daggerboard |
| on a seat or on the gunwhale. These boats make you | | | | designed boats allow you to sail in shallow water. |
| feel relatively safe so they are good for beginners too. | | | | When you are sailing with the wind behind you, these |
| On Cabin Sailboats, you definitely stay dry. They can | | | | keels can be pulled up for better performance. |
| have a small cuddy for storage or a full size cabin for | | | | Leeboard keels will do the same thing, but they are |
| staying overnight in. | | | | more fussy because you have to change them with |
| It is best for beginners to have a small simple boat. | | | | each tack |
| They require a lot less responsibility than bigger boats, | | | | Sailing can be a lot of fun, when you have chosen the |
| and can be just as much fun. It is easier to learn the | | | | right boat for you. When you are beginning it is best to |
| basics when there are fewer lines and sails. Small | | | | get a boat that is small (but big enough for two people) |
| boats also have the advantage of being more | | | | and simple (with one mast and one sail and a |
| responsive in light winds. Once you have learned the | | | | fiberglass hull) so that you can concentrate on learning |
| basics on small boats, you can apply the skills you've | | | | the fundamentals of sailing. A small boat like this is |
| acquired to any size of boat. | | | | more responsive in light winds. You will want a boat |
| You will want to begin on a boat that is rigged with | | | | with a centerboard or daggerboard keel because they |
| one mast and one sail, since that will make it easier to | | | | are less fussy than leeboard keels. Find the right boat |
| focus on learning the fundamentals of sailing. A number | | | | and you will have many enjoyable sailing adventures. |
| of small boats are designed to perform well with just | | | | Have fun. |