Simple rules for starting sailing

[Nostrodamus]

You can read reams of books on the subject or ask most sailors on here and they will want to impart the benefit of their wisdom.

For anyone starting sailing it may seem like a black art but surely we can simplify things a little.

If sailing was printed as quick, basic instructions on the side of a packet how would they read?

As a starter how about

Partially immerse in water and do not allow to run dry.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Nostrodamus

You can read reams of books on the subject or ask most sailors on here and they will want to impart the benefit of their wisdom.

For anyone starting sailing it may seem like a black art but surely we can simplify things a little.

If sailing was printed as quick, basic instructions on the side of a packet how would they read?

As a starter how about

Partially immerse in water and do not allow to run dry.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

[atoll]

well shaken but not stirred...........

[Dragon Lady]

This end up.

[Don L]

stay ON the boat

[pressuredrop]

sail the wind (not a course) = keep the sails full

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Nostrodamus

You can read reams of books on the subject or ask most sailors on here and they will want to impart the benefit of their wisdom.

For anyone starting sailing it may seem like a black art but surely we can simplify things a little.

If sailing was printed as quick, basic instructions on the side of a packet how would they read?

As a starter how about

Partially immerse in water and do not allow to run dry.

Don't sail where birds wade.

When docking, go slow and aim for something cheap!

Do not dock any faster than you want to hit the dock.

[carstenb]

At the top of the mast: This end up

[cal40john]

After telling my dinghy students a bunch of stuff they hardly understand and will only remember 40% of on the first day, I finish up with there are 2 modes of sailing:


Mode A:
Pick a destination to aim for.
Let sails out until they luff, pull in until they just stop.
Corollary: Sails wouldn't luff? That's OK you're broad reaching or running.

If destination chosen results in sails always luffing goto Mode 2

Mode 2:
Sheet sails all the way in.
Steer as needed to keep sails on verge of luffing.
Steer toward wind to make sails luff, away to stop luff.
Tack when destination is at 90 degrees, or if you run out of water, or if you feel like it.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Nostrodamus

You can read reams of books on the subject or ask most sailors on here and they will want to impart the benefit of their wisdom.

For anyone starting sailing it may seem like a black art but surely we can simplify things a little.

If sailing was printed as quick, basic instructions on the side of a packet how would they read?

As a starter how about

Partially immerse in water and do not allow to run dry.

One more ...

When it comes to docking, ya ain't parkin' at Target, baby!

[scubascooter]

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

Don't sail where birds wade.

When docking, go slow and aim for something cheap!

Do not dock any faster than you want to hit the dock.

What more do you need to say!!!

[ohdrinkboy]

React to the feedback your senses give you. Feel when the boat hits it groove going upwind, feel the wind on your face and use it to trim the sails, watch the water to see wind shifts/speed, hear crashing waves TURN AROUND

[zeehag]

never hit anything larger or more solid than you .....


DONT PANIC!!!!!!!!

[Argyle38]

Boats are hard, people are soft.

[Mr B]

Hear crashing waves, put it in full reverse, Dont turn around, That reef might be beside you,