A cruising sailboat is a boat built for comfortable passages and living aboard rather than racing: a sturdy hull, a manageable rig, a real galley and berths,…
Sailing is propelling any boat with wind in its sails. Yachting is recreational boating on a yacht, whether it sails or runs on engines, and the word carries…
The sailing terms beginners need first are port (left), starboard (right), bow (front), stern (back), hull, keel, helm, and points of sail. Learn those 8 and…
A sailing ship moves on wind in its sails; a steamship moves on a steam engine turning a paddle wheel or propeller. Steamships hold a schedule regardless of …
Steel hulls take impact and abrasion better and suit high-latitude or remote cruising, at the cost of weight and constant rust management. Fiberglass is ligh…
A sailboard is a board with a mast and sail that moves on wind, so it needs breeze and takes real practice. A paddle board moves on your own paddling, works …
A sailboat has 4 main systems: the hull (the body, including keel and rudder), the rig (mast, boom, and the wires holding them up), the sails (mainsail and h…
The ideal wind speed for sailing is 8 to 15 knots for most sailors. Beginners learn fastest in 5 to 10 knots, experienced cruisers enjoy 12 to 20, and most b…
To get started with sailing, take an introductory course at a local club or school, then get on the water as often as you can: crew for others, join a club, …
The journey from Scandinavia to England would have taken the Vikings several days, depending on the weather conditions and the route they took. When the wind…