learn 15 things

Learn more by visiting wwwOffshoreSailingSchoolcom or by calling (888) 454-7015 Copyright copy 2011 Offshore Sailing Ltd All Rights Reserved

Learn to Sail15 Things

You Need to Know

A Free eBook Provided ByOffshore Sailing School

Table of Contents

1 What is Sailing 3

2 Speak Like A Sailor With These Sailing Terms 4

3 How Can A Sailboat Move With Only Wind 5

4 Is Sailing Safe 6

5 Can I Afford the Cost of Sailing 7

6 How Can I Continue Sailing After I Learn 8

7 How to Choose A Sailing School 9

8 What Sailing Course Should I Take 10

9 Your First Day of Sailing School 11

10 How Can I Get Sailing Certified 12

11 How Does Sailing Feel 13

12 Getting Comfortable With Sailing 14

13 The Fears of Sailing 15

14 Crew Overboard 16

15 Sailing Isnʼt Complicated 17

Learn to Sail - 15 Things You Need to Know


1 What is SailingCenturies ago sailing was the only way to cross a body of water Today it is technically referred to as a sport However those of us who have experienced the lore of the sea know it is much more than that For sailors who cherish the unbelievable feeling of gliding across the ocean with a gentle breeze filling billowing sails sailing is a lifestyle

Wikipedia defines sailing as ldquothe art of controlling a boat with large (usually fabric) foils called sails By changing the rigging rudder and sometimes the keel or center board a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to change the direction and speed of a boat Mastery of the skill requires experience in varying wind and sea conditions as well as knowledge concerning sailboats themselves and a keen understanding of ones surroundingsrdquo

The physics of sailing involves air moving across the sails of the sailboat When you properly position the sails with respect to the wind the net force on the sails creates lift and moves the vessel forward Boats that are propelled by sails cannot sail directly into the wind To make forward progress the boat is turned (called tacking) through the ldquoeye of the windrdquo A series of maneuvers crossing from one side of the wind to the other allows the boat to progress directly upwind Yoursquoll learn more in tip 3

Sailing is much more than just the act of operating a sailboat or the physics of the wind and the sails Sailing has been instrumental throughout history in expanding civilizations and broadening our horizons It has allowed us to participate in trade transport fishing and exploration Sailing represents freedom expansion and adventure

The first ship remnants discovered date back to 2900 BC and there may be older remains not yet found So we have been traveling on water for almost 5000 years One of the first known ships was called a bipod Built by the Egyptians it possessed at least 40 oars and only one square sail The steering device consisted usually of 2 big oars from both sides Later these ships were turned into warships with an additional deck for archers planks like shields to guard the rowers and bigger sails for faster speed

The desire to sail is practically a genetic predestination With two-thirds of our world covered in water most people dwell on or near a coastal area This combined with our innate human longing for discovery and freedom has created a desire to explore the water around us We want to see where the horizon expands to and sailing allows us to do this without the constraints of limited fuel or electricity Wind is a limitless resource

To truly discover what sailing isyou have to experience it for yourself at one of Colgate Offshore Sailing Schoolrsquos seven locations



2 Speak Like A Sailor With These Sailing TermsBefore you continue reading this eBook you should probably do a quick study of this sailing vernacular so that you understand everything wersquore referring to There is a long list of terms that you will begin to learn to use as you get deeper into the lifestyle of sailing However here are 15 beginner sailing terms that will help you as you read this book and converse with fellow sailors You will learn many more when you learn to sail

1 Aft The area at near or toward the stern If something is located aft it is in the back area of the sailboat ldquoAbaftrdquo is the direction toward the stern

2 Stern The extreme after end of a vessel 3 Bow The front of a vessel is called the bow This is the forward end of a boat4 Port Because right and left can be confusing terms when used on a boat port is

used to define the left-hand side of the boat when facing the bow ldquoPortrdquo and ldquoleftrdquo both have four letters (memory jogger)

5 Starboard The right-hand side of the boat when facing the bow 6 Leeward Pronounced ldquoloowardrdquo - the direction opposite from where the wind is

currently blowing7 Windward The direction from which the wind

is currently blowing8 Spars The ldquomastrdquo is the vertical pole that

holds up the largest sail (ldquomainsailrdquo) The ldquoboomrdquo is the horizontal pole connected to the mast that supports the bottom (ldquofootrdquo) of the mainsail

9 Rudder A flat piece of wood fiberglass or metal located near the stern beneath the ldquohullrdquo of the boat used to steer the boat Larger sailboats control the rudder via a steering wheel small to mid-sized sailboats usually have a ldquotillerrdquo (a stick fitted to the post connected to the rudder) which you push or pull to steer the boat

10Tacking The opposite of jibing this basic sailing maneuver refers to turning the bow of the boat through the wind so that the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other side The boom of a boat will shift from one side to the other when performing a tack or a jibe

11Jibing Opposite of tacking this basic maneuver occurs when sailing away from the wind (the wind direction is towards the stern of the boat) In this case you turn the stern of the boat through the wind so that the wind

12Sheets Rope (called ldquolinerdquo) connected to a sail that you pull on or ease out to fill the sail with wind efficiently

13Abeam Right angles (90 degrees) to the boat14Furl Secure a sail by folding or rolling it Many sailboats have furling ldquojibsrdquo (the

sail in the front of the boat)

Ahoy Mate Now that you know some sailing lingo itrsquos time to put it into practice Choose a sailing course that fits your level and sailing desire



3 How Can A Sailboat Move With Only WindThe feeling of sailing is almost magical with your boat cruising along gliding across the water using nothing but the wind to make it move You may ask how is this possible Well there is actually a fairly simple explanationalthough it will require just a hint of physics to understand

Herersquos how it works

1 Think of the sail of a sailboat as a wing2 As the wind blows over the sail a high pressure area is formed on one side and

a low pressure area is formed on the opposite side3 This high and low pressure causes lift (force thrust) perpendicular to the sail

resulting in a sideways and forward force4 As the wind flows over the sail it creates ldquodragrdquo parallel to the sailrsquos surface 5 To counteract sideways force sailboats have keels or centerboards which extend

under the boat so the resultant force is forward

So you see the wind doesnt simply try to blow the sail (a wing) away in the direction it is blowing Instead it creates a force that allows a sailboat to sail about 45 degrees towards the wind direction

To reach a destination upwind (towards the wind) sailors perform a series of ldquotacksrdquo basically zigzagging upwind about 45 degrees on either side of the wind direction relative to the bow of the boat(Some high performance sailboats can sail closer than 45 degrees to the wind) These zig zag maneuvers (tacking) allow a sailboat to reach an upwind destination

The sailboat on the left is on ldquostarboard tackrdquo - the wind is

coming from the right (starboard) side of the boat the sails are over the left (port) side of the boat This 43rsquo cruising boat is what you can learn on when yoursquore ready for a big boat cruising course

If you are curious about the way a sailboat works and want to see it in action you may be ready for the Fast Track to Cruising program where you can learn

everything you need to know for sailing Bareboat Chartering and Live Aboard Sailboat Cruising in 7 days



4 Is Sailing SafeAs with any activity on the water there are some risks But if you learn to sail properly you will know what precautions to take to ensure smooth sailing and a safe voyage Here are a few ldquosailing saferdquo tips to consider

Take a sailing course - Learn to sail at a reputable sailing school with professional instructors At Offshore Sailing School you are taught by professional US SAILING certified instructors who make sure you understand the ldquowhysrdquo not just the ldquohowsrdquo of sailing

Learn on the right boat - It is important that you learn on a safe comfortable high performance well maintained boat Offshore Sailing School uses the Colgate 26 exclusively as its training boat for Learn to Sail Performance Sailing and Racing courses Other schools and service organizations enjoy the durability and performance of this boat including the US Coast Guard and Naval Academies and Maine Maritime Academy Follow these basic safety rules - Regardless of your level of expertise

Always tell someone before you go out on the waterAlways have comfortable wearable life vests aboardKnow how to handle your boat in all conditionsKnow the Rules of the Road and at least basic navigation skills

Research tide wind and weather conditions - Check the forecast before going out for a sail Be prepared for whatever the weather might bring with water proof gear (jacket and pants commonly called ldquofoul weather gearrdquo) to use if needed

Familiarize yourself with ldquosail controlrdquo - The best sailors adjust sail settings for different wind and water conditions They also know when and how to reduce sail area for comfortable control in heavy weather Generally sails should be relatively flat when the wind is either very light or very strong and full when there is moderate wind

Respect the boom - Some of the most common sailing injuries result from simply not being aware when the boom is about to swing from one side of the boat to the other To avoid a bump to the head (or even possibly being knocked overboard) one of the most important beginner sailing tips is to be aware and respectful of the boom at all times

Learn basic sailing terms A good sailing course will ensue you understand basic sailing lingo so you can communicate and describe maneuvers easily aboard and explain accurately what has occurred if you have an emergency Refer back to tip 2

Practice makes perfect Donrsquot try to teach yourself Invest in a good sailing school Call us today at (888) 454-7015 to set sail



5 Can I Afford the Cost of SailingThe cost of learning to sail at a reputable sailing school with high kudos from its clients is no more than learning to ski golf or play tennis from an excellent pro at a reputable ski golf or tennis school

Begin with sailing lessons Choosing the right school is critical (see our suggestions in Tip 7 How to Choose A Sailing School) It is also very important to be able to talk to graduates and learn from them whether or not they felt the course they took met their expectations

Sailing lessons can range from under $500 for a two-day course to over $1000 for a complete five-day certification course taught aboard boats valued at $50000 to $500000 and more

Offshore Sailing Schoolrsquos Learn to Sail course tuitions range from $595 to $1295 depending on location and season and you learn on a high performance safe Colgate 26 valued at close to $50000 new

An Offshore Sailing School cruising course provides bareboat cruising certification and is taught on 43rsquo to 50rsquo cruising yachts that sell new for $300000 to $600000 In this case tuition ranges from $1495 to $2650

Donrsquot shop for sailing courses based solely on price The quality of the boat you learn on the expertise of the instructor and all the other facts mentioned in Tip 7 impact what a school will charge Decide what the course means to you If you want to go cruising with ease and comfort without a captain to tell you what to do and with the self-confidence and respect of those who will sail with you expect to spend at least $60 an hour for your tuition alone (if you want to break it down)

In our 47 years of teaching more than 125000 adults and their children we have heard too many stories from our students and instructors about how people have gone to other sailing schools where they were not given proper instruction If this happens to you if you choose the wrong school for the level of sailing expertise you wish to reach your costs could become very high indeed or you may be turned off to sailing completely What a loss that would be

No matter what your budget is Offshore Sailing School will help you find the perfect sailing course to fit your needs Make sure to check out our

Learn to Sail Specials



6 How Can I Continue Sailing After I LearnOnce you learn to sail there are many options available that allow you to keep on sailing without having to own a boat

1 Just mention you took a sailing course at your office or a party and someone we bet will say ldquoWow Would you like to come sail on my boatrdquo Sailboat owners are always looking for crew This is FREE

2 There are sailing clubs in many metropolitan areas Offshore Sailing School has popular clubs in New York Harbor and in Florida which provide sailing on club boats without the hassles of upkeep ownership or having to plunk down a rental fee each time Offshorersquos club in NY Harbor is just $1795 for seven months which works out to $156 a month You canrsquot rent or charter a sailboat the caliber of a Colgate 26 anywhere for a full day for that amount This works out to just $37day with 7 days a week hassle-free sailing with club members

3 There are community sailing programs provided by non-profit sailing centers all over the country though generally they have smaller boats than the Colgate 26rsquos we use for our Club and sailing courses These programs are generally very inexpensive and if you like small boats they can be a lot of fun

4 You can also join a ldquofractional sailingrdquo program that gives you cruising boat use much like a time share

5 The piegravece de reacutesistance of learning to sail and then taking a cruising course is being able to charter liveaboard boats all over the world Offshore Sailing School is the official sailing school of ldquoThe Mooringsrdquo - the pre-eminent charter company world-wide with fabulous charter locations in just about every dream location there is If you did nothing but go bareboat cruising for a week or two on your vacation every year you probably would not have to repeat the same area more than a couple of times for the rest of your life (but we bet you will want to repeat most of them)

6 Go on Flotilla Cruises If you donrsquot have family or friends you can take with you on a bareboat charter vacation just join one of Offshore Sailing Schoolrsquos annual flotilla cruises like the December cruise in Belize Sailing magazines and charter companies also provide flotilla cruises where all you do is show up and sail with others who love the sailing lifestyle

Offshore Sailing School will help you continue sailing Just ask about our Offshore Cruising Club opportunities



7 How to Choose A Sailing SchoolThere are literally thousands of sailing schools across the United States Many are not-for-profit community sailing programs that teach on small boats at modest fees This is a good way to get your feet wet However to get on the fast track you should consider attending a school certified by US SAILING the governing body of the sport

If you are looking for comprehensive sailing lessons make sure the school you choose

bull Has published textbooks that cover more than you can learn in the coursebull Employs the preferred method of training Visual (an excellent textbook to

complements what you learn in class and on the water) auditory (starts each day with a classroom session to reinforce the textbook and on-water training) kinesthetic (learning by doing under the tutelage of an expert instructor)

bull Adheres to a curriculum that teaches you to understand ldquowhyrdquo you are doing a technique rather than just ldquohowrdquo to do it

bull Tests your knowledge with written tests and oral discussions and requires you to sail successfully with your classmates without the instructor aboard before handing you a diploma and certification

bull Employs highly qualified instructors that have gone through a stringent review process judging not only their knowledge but their teaching skills Sailing instructors should have patience and humility Those that refer to themselves as Captains could be dictatorial in their way of teaching less patient and covering their lack of experience with bravado

bull Teaches no more than four at a time per instructor per boat The only exception to this rule would be for a program such as Offshore Sailing Schoolrsquos Kids and Teens Learn Free Program ndash a private family experience that allows you to pay just two adult tuitions and bring up to four kids andor teens to learn with you In this case the cost comes way down on a per person basis and the extraordinary bonding that results is a life-changing experience

bull Teaches on sailboats in excellent condition at least 20ʼ in length with enough bells and whistles to allow you to progress to larger boats quickly and easily

bull Stands behind its products with knowledgeable leaders like Offshoreʼs award-winning sailing educators Steve and Doris Colgate

Offshore Sailing School uses the Colgate 26 for Learn to Sail Performance Sailing and Racing courses Designed by Steve Colgate after years of trying various production boats the C26 is safe ergonomically comfortable high performance sophisticated and easy to sail You can easily go from a Colgate 26 to a typical 35rsquo cruising boat and rent sailboats up to 30rsquo without question

Lastly make sure the school is adequately insured Wersquoll leave that thought to those of you who are in business and know the costs associated with proper insurance



Offshore Sailing School founder and Chairman Steve Colgate

8 What Sailing Course Should I TakeIf you have never sailed before or sailed awhile ago and are feeling rusty the Learn to Sail course will give you the skills knowledge and confidence to join a club go sailing with friends and take the helm of a rented sailboat or your very own

If you already have the basics and want to start cruising and living aboard our next step up is the Bareboat Cruising Preparation course which comes in a Live-Aboard Course version (you live aboard and learn while moving from port to port) and a stay-ashore version where you learn every day in class and on the water but sleep ashore at home or a lovely resort each night

Better yet you can combine the two in a seven-day program ndash our Fast Track to Cruisingreg course ndash which takes you from zero to herofrom novice to ready-to-cruise in just seven days

First yoursquoll spend two days on the Colgate 26 where yoursquoll learn how to read the wind and guide a boat by wind alone Then yoursquoll spend five days on a 43rsquo to 50rsquo cruising yacht with bigger sails more power engines and electronics You will be taught to sail on a small boat like the Colgate 26 first because itrsquos important that you

bull Get close to the waterbull Feel the immediate response

of the boat as you steerbull See and feel a burst of speed when you trim the sails correctlybull Learn to slow the boat down and stop it completely with sails alonebull Read the wind and learn to react quickly to sudden gusts and maneuver easily

A big cruising boat responds slowly to your touch By the time you correct (or over-correct) you have to start the maneuver again The best racing sailors practice on small boats to get back in tune with the wind and water before they head out on a big ocean race

If you just want to find out what sailing is all about a two-day experience or a two-hour sailing lesson will give you an idea of whether you want to continue

The right sailing course for you depends on your prior sailing experience and goals Review a synopsis of our different courses then contact us



9 Your First Day of Sailing SchoolYour first day on the water will be full of information and new sensations If you feel a little anxious donrsquot worry yoursquore not alone Itrsquos best to relax and go with an open mind

Approach the experience with realistic goals and realize that yoursquore going to make mistakesitrsquos just part of the learning process Most importantly remember to have fun

If yoursquove chosen the right sailing school yoursquoll begin with a classroom session that reinforces your lessons on the water

You should get a list of what to bring and wear We recommend that you bring comfortable quick drying clothes rain gear sailing gloves a hat that will stay on nonskid boat shoes sunglasses sunblock lip balm and a small waterproof duffel bag to hold all of your gear If you are learning in a cool area bring a waterproof jacket (and maybe pants too) and layer your apparel for comfort

On a typical first day at school you should be given a comfortable life jacket and taught about safety gear You will also be taught the proper way to get on and off a sailboat In addition yoursquoll learn how to

Rig the boatLeave and return from dock or mooringPerform basic sailing maneuversLearn the most needed knots for sailingIdentify where the wind is coming fromLearn all crew positions on the boat

Most of all yoursquoll get the feel of sailing In a good program you and your crew mates will do everything yourselves A good instructor will take you through the maneuvers and ask you to explain why yoursquore doing them encourage you when you make mistakes and praise you when you get it right

At the end of your first day you may feel a little overwhelmed but thatrsquos alright It will all come together as the course progresses Then on your first solo day out (Offshore Sailing School includes a test sail without the instructor aboard at the end of most of its courses) you will relish the reality of how much yoursquove learned

The first day of sailing school is an exciting experience To prepare for what lies ahead read more about what you will learn in our various

sailing courses



10 How Can I Get Sailing CertifiedIf you are seeking third-party certification the US SAILING certification program is more stringent and complete than any other third-party certification program in the US

US SAILING is the governing body for sailing in the US formed in the 1800s and appointed by Congress in 1978 It represents the United States in all international competitions and meetings involving other countries and is a non-profit association that upholds the highest standards for learning to sail and getting involved in competition

When choosing a sailing school and course level for certification make sure you get at least three full days of instruction with classroom and on-water training Why Because the only way to learn well is to learn the ldquowhysrdquo of sailing not just the ldquohowsrdquo You should learn from a school that employs definitive teaching methodology auditory visual and kinesthetic

At Offshore Sailing School textbooks are sent in advance to study classroom sessions precede each sailing session to reinforce what you will learn on the water Then you learn by doing each maneuver and task that guides a sailboat All of this is done with an expert instructor who coaches you throughout the learning process

Sailing certifications from sailing schools in the United States carry no legal import However because you have to pass a test for the level of instruction you took a passing grade is validation of all that you have learned

Offshore Sailing School has been celebrating teaching sailing since 1964 You will have the peace of mind that your sailing certification was obtained

by a school with the most progressive sailing certification education system in the United States



11 How Does Sailing FeelIn one word incredible Sometimes sailing can feel exhilarating and adventurous At other times you are coasting along with nothing in sight but the wide span of ocean and the sunshine glistening on the water During these moments you may feel an over-whelming sense of peace tranquility and freedom

Most people can imagine what an amazing emotional and mental experience it is to sail into the sunset But how does it feel physically

Itrsquos always a pretty sensational feeling to be sitting comfortably on the high side of a sailboat as it leans with the force of the wind in its sails You may feel a little unsteady at first but yoursquoll soon get into the rhythm As you pull the sails in or let them out you can hear the boat accelerate as water rushes by Yoursquoll feel the boat center (reach a balance point) as changes are made

When itrsquos your turn to steer the boat will react to your every move At first this may be too much and too far or too little and not enough But after some time yoursquoll get the boat into a groove and feel it respond to your touchlike a racehorse on a winning lap

Picture yourself looking out to the horizon feeling the direction of the wind on your face As you begin to feel this your grip will relax and your body will sway with the boatrsquos motion Now yoursquore sailing

Here is a quote taken from Doris Colgatersquos book SAILING A Womanrsquos Guide published by Ragged Mountain PressMcGraw Hill as she describes her experience

ldquoI am lying awake in the cockpit gazing up at a jet-black sky filled with stars Suddenly a light darts across Then another Shooting stars The universe is so big and we are so small as we

bob along the dark sea I feel secure yet elated - eager to see what dawn will bring Iʼm comfortable and confident sailing not as a passenger but as one of a team that makes

decisions and shares responsibilities Iʼm on the lead sailboat in a flotilla with graduates of Offshore Sailing School This is my life nowrdquo



12 Getting Comfortable With SailingPart of the process of getting comfortable with sailing involves gaining knowledge about sailing Once you understand how boats and sails work you gain a higher level of comfort with the whole process Some of this may seem complicated at first but itrsquos actually all very logical and will quickly become a second language

First determine what kind of boat you will be sailing on Sailboats come in all shapes and sizes from lightweight dinghies to large cruising yachts Here are just a few

Sailing Dinghy - ranges from under 10 feet to close to 20 feet and typically has enough cockpit space for 1 to 4 people We donrsquot recommend small low-performance dinghies for training adults because (1) they can capsize (2) donrsquot provide enough room or sophistication to move on to handling larger boats easily (3) generally the instructor has to coach from a chase boat and is not aboard with you

Board Boats - These boats are popular with some racing sailors and kids They earn their name because you sit on the boat rather than in it Board boats require some agility and you are apt to get wetter

Keelboat ndash These boats are stable responsive allow mistakes and yet have enough options to promote a rapid learning curve A three or four person keelboat is recommended for starting out A keelboat (so named because it has a heavy fixed fin beneath the boat) is the most stable type of sailboat to learn on The Colgate 26 has a large cockpit and rails around its space both important because they allow you room to work and move around safely You wonrsquot feel confined and your instructor can stay out of the way but has controls to take over should the need arise

Attending a quality sailing school is the best way to really get comfortable with sailing Look for a school with a variety of courses that focuses on teaching you the ins and outs of sailing on boats ranging from mid-sized daysailers to large cruising boats

If you are new to sailing or need a refresher we recommend the Learn to Sail course This sailing course takes you from beginner through intermediate level on a fleet of award-winning Colgate 26 sailing school boats

Get comfortable with sailing with the Learn to Sail course Three full-day and five half-day schedules are available at all Offshore Sailing

School locations



Colgate 26

13 The Fears of SailingItrsquos normal to have questions about your well-being on a boat on the water After all yoursquore about to try a new activity with many kinds of new sensations Letrsquos address a few of these up front so that you can have some reassurance that learning to sail will be an enjoyable experience Here are a few common objections wersquove heard in the past

Irsquom afraid of capsizingFirst you wonrsquot have to worry about this at all if you learn and sail on boats that wonrsquot capsize (like the Colgate 26 at right) Most schools that teach adults use comfortable stable sailboats so you donrsquot have to worry If in doubt ask about the boatrsquos characteristics before getting aboard

I canrsquot swim Believe it or not many people who sail canrsquot swim Unless you sail on small dinghies that easily tip over itrsquos not very likely yoursquoll end up in the water To be on the safe side if you cannot swim we recommend you wear a comfortable life jacket while on deck on a sailboat In fact everyone should particularly in high winds

I get seasick If you learn on the type of boats we recommend yoursquore out in an open cockpit boat with the air in your face too busy to worry or think about feeling ill Someday you may find yourself on a cruising boat on longer passages in rough water We found singing can help take your mind away from feeling sick Perhaps itrsquos because yoursquore taking in more air or concentrating on remembering words Whatever it is we find it helps In these conditions we recommend rotating (sharing) time on the helm every 20 minutes or so because when you steer you concentrate on the horizon and your sails and this keeps you from getting queasy If these techniques donrsquot help here are other ways of overcoming seasickness

Sailing seems a bit unsafe If you donrsquot know how to avoid collisions handle a boatrsquos line and equipment or you donrsquot know where to sit or stand you could get into some trouble That is why we recommend going to a certified highly reputable sailing school Once you learn these things however there is very little that can go wrong on a simple sailboat designed for daysailing Just enjoy

If you have other fears or questions before you set sail donrsquot fret All of your concerns will be addressed in your sailing course Check out more

sailing tips or request a quote for your sailing lessons today



14 Crew Overboard How to Execute a Rescue Mission

In a good sailing course yoursquoll practice crew-overboard recovery procedures repeatedly There are several methods acknowledged by both our national sailing authority (US SAILING) and the authorities of other countries Here are two of these methods

Quick Stop Method - Sheila McCurdy Brown (current commodore of the Cruising Club of America) gives these 10 points for overboard recovery

1 When a crew member goes into the water throw flotation and shout ldquoCrew overboardrdquo

2 Designate a spotter who points and never takes their eyes off the victim

3 Bring the boat up into the wind and trim the mainsail in tight

4 Tack keeping jib aback and immediately run downwind with the sails still trimmed in tight

5 Drop or furl the jib if possible6 When the victim is abaft abeam jibe (See Tip 2 for terminology)7 Sail up to the victim slowing the boat as if to pick up a mooring8 Stop alongside the victim9 Toss a floating heaving line to the victim10Haul the victim to the boat and pull aboard

LifeSling Method - A widely accepted overboard retrieval method uses a LifeSling which is carried in a case that mounts on the stern pulpit of a larger sailboat For this method follow these steps to retrieve someone who has fallen into the water

1 The moment someone falls overboard assuming that person is conscious and able to grab hold throw the LifeSling over the side

2 Sail the boat in ever-tightening circles be careful not to run over the line3 Instruct the victim to grab the line and work their way up to the LifeSling4 Just as they reach the sling stop the boat by turning it directly into the wind

lower the jib if possible 5 Get the jib down on deck quickly and push it out of the way Clip the free halyard

to a lifeline until you need it6 Using a jibsheet winch pull the victim in the LifeSling to the stern quarter of the

boat by cranking in on the attached line 7 When alongside but still in the water cleat the line coming off the winch attach

one end of a block-and-tackle arrangement to the freed jib halyard and the other end to the sling and haul the victim and sling on deck

Learning to retrieve someone whorsquos fallen in the water is best done with an instructor Sign up for Sailing Lessons or courses that best suit your lifestyle

and budget Request a quote today



15 Sailing Isnrsquot ComplicatedSailing actually isnrsquot hard to learnbut it is easy to make it sound hard Most old salts love the opportunity to say a few words to the beginner However the problem is most old salts dont stop with a few words By the time theyrsquore through you (as the eager new sailor) may be a bit bewildered by sailing terms and diagrams with arrows and dotted lines You may start to fear that the whole thing sounds too complicated and difficult This is far from the truth

Sailing doesnrsquot have to be complicated at all It is true that you have to learn the lingo but it is logical and full of words we use in everyday life You can learn to sail in three 8-hour days or spend those 24 hours over a week or two Sailing is something you never stop learning but in a short time yoursquoll have the building blocks for a lifetime of sailing fun Here are a few basics to get you started

bull Know which way the wind is blowing Look at clouds see which way your flag is blowing or lick your finger and hold it up in the air to feel even the faintest breeze Soon knowing which way the wind is blowing will become second nature

bull You must be able to steer accurately Donrsquot let this scare you With the help of an instructor learning the correct way to handle your sailboat is very simple

bull Know when a sail is properly trimmed While the boat is going in a straight line ease the sheet (line) attached to your jib (the small sail in the front) in and out until there is a light flutter The rule of thumb is Pull the sheet in just enough for the fluttering to stop

Itrsquos easy and fun to learn the rudiments of sailing especially in a sailboat that allows you to feel the reaction of the boat to the wind and the water From then on its just a matter of practice and having fun Every minute under sail can be enjoyable

We do want to point out that you cant learn sailing by reading this eBook or any other resource You need to get out on the water This book provides some basic knowledge but nowhere near what you will learn in comprehensive sailing lessons from a professional instructor at a recognized sailing school Before long yoursquoll be sailing into the sunset

Visit What you learn in our courses to see everything covered in the Learn to Sail course Also hear from real graduates who share their sailing

experiences For more information contact us online



Table of Contents

1 What is Sailing 3

2 Speak Like A Sailor With These Sailing Terms 4

3 How Can A Sailboat Move With Only Wind 5

4 Is Sailing Safe 6

5 Can I Afford the Cost of Sailing 7

6 How Can I Continue Sailing After I Learn 8

7 How to Choose A Sailing School 9

8 What Sailing Course Should I Take 10

9 Your First Day of Sailing School 11

10 How Can I Get Sailing Certified 12

11 How Does Sailing Feel 13

12 Getting Comfortable With Sailing 14

13 The Fears of Sailing 15

14 Crew Overboard 16

15 Sailing Isnʼt Complicated 17














































































































sailing courses































School locations



Colgate 26



















































































































































sailing courses































School locations



Colgate 26




































































School locations



Colgate 26








































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