The skill

Learning how to handle a sailboat may discourage some from taking up the sport. Like most things in life you get out what you are willing to put in. Most people know right from the start if they want to learn a lot of skills to enjoy boating.

It is not hard to learn and understand the basics of sailing and you can have a lot of fun with just a few short lessons. Most of your skill comes from practice and experience. Wind and weather affect the kind of and the amount of skill you should have. It won't take long for you to know when you should stay safely tied to the dock.

Depending on the size and type of boat they have some can't wait to go rushing out to sea when the wind is strong and at its most challenging.

Most boats are very forgiving and will survive a knockdown with the only consequence being your embarrassment. Some become very skilled at recovering from capsizing and enjoy it as a part of going to the "edge" in their boat. This is of course with small boats. The larger ones seldom capsize no matter how you may misuse them. However make no mistake, they can go over, and that is one of the fears novice and experienced sailors have in common.

Understanding the wind, and where you can and can't use it to propel your boat, are important skills that you will learn in your first lessons. Later on as you sail different types of boats you learn to handle each of their different traits and demands. I say demands because sailboats seem to take on a personality of their own and will absolutely refuse to go where the laws of physics will not carry them.

By the time you have had a few lessons you will love or hate sailing.