There are a number of ways to learn sailing, depending where you are and what resources are available to you. The bottom line is that if you want to advance your sailing skills, you need to increase your experience, that is your time, on sailboats.

Some people are fortunate to have been introduced to sailing at a young age with either lessons or regular access to a small sailboat that can be single-handed, or to both. I was not so fortunate, and so I especially understand the plight of the adult wanting to learn.

Lessons, as in most sports, will accelerate your learning curve. Practice is still needed to advance your skills. Reading about sailing will enhance your understanding of sailing and help solidify your learning as you develop your skills. You need to practice what you have learned in varying wind and sea conditions.

You can teach yourself to sail without lessons. If you have lots of time and access to a boat. Lessons, though, will enhance your knowledge and skill beyond what you have been able to learn on your own. Taking formal sailing instruction will also introduce you to other sailing resources – other students (who may own their own boats), sailing clubs or schools that may provide access to boats for practice, opportunities to network into crewing on others’ boats, etc.

Not everybody enjoys competition. That being said, you will advance your boat handling skills exponentially by racing regularly in club races and regattas. You will also learn and refine sail trim knowledge and skills (use of all the sail adjustments available to optimize the sail for conditions and direction).

Where do I start?

A good way to start is to take an introductory lesson such as an “Invitation to Sail” to see if you would even enjoy the experience. If you are reading this, you probably already want to learn. Many clubs offer Adult Learn to Sail classes in a group format at very reasonable prices. In this environment, you will learn as much from other students’ questions and “mistakes” as you will from your own. In the Albany/ Saratoga region in NY State, Saratoga Sailing Club has a very active Sailing School [hyperlink] for Adults, as well as children. The club also offers private lessons for those who can’t fit the group lessons into their schedule.

I already have some sailing experience, but want to get on “big boats.” How do I accomplish this?

Many clubs only offer sailing lessons on smaller boats (up to 20 feet or so) that that are dinghies, with a rectractable or pivoting center board. These boats are great to learn on, as they are much more responsive than larger boats with fixed keels (the “center board” is permanently attached under the boat). The experience and knowledge gained from sailing dinghies directly transfers to sailing larger boats. The opposite is not true. Learning to sail on the more stable larger boat (often with a wheel, not a tiller) does not prepare the new sailor for the inherent instability and responsiveness of a lighter dinghy sailboat.

Many of the worlds top “big boat” racing sailors (think America’s Cup, Volvo Around the World, and other Offshore Races) were world class sailors in small boats first at the collegiate level, Olympic level or at the top of the competition within one or more “One Design” boats.

Unlike a keelboat, dinghy sailboats generally don’t have an engine mounted on them and therefore are easier to maintain. As keelboats get larger (25 to 30+ feet in length), they tend to have more “systems” to maintain. In addition to the engine and its fuel system, you will find and electrical system that often will include both 12V (or 24V) Direct Current and 120V Alternating Current (AKA “shore power”). Big boats will also have a fresh water system (sometimes involving a “water maker” to convert sea water to fresh water), and a toilet and septic system. In addition to merely maintaining the structure, cosmetics and functionality of all the rigging that makes a sailboat work, a larger keelboat owner has the responsibility to maintain all these other systems that are in a harsh and unstable environment compared to their counterparts in a house. Because of these additional systems, purchase and maintenance costs are substantially higher than purchasing and maintaining a smaller boat.

Do I have to have small boat experience to sail a bigger boat?

No, not if you have no interest in sailing dinghies, and especially if you have no interest in racing. The average sailor who wants to regularly day sail or even cruise, can learn all the skills necessary on a larger boat, without ever setting foot on a sailing dinghy.

Where do I go to get training on a Keel Boat?

Instructional certifications: Both the American Sailing Association (ASA) and US Sailing offer certification at various levels of practical and academic achievement.

What should I look for in a Sailing School?

Read online reviews. Talk to sailors who have taken courses with a particular Sailing School. Find a school that has access to boats (rental or charter) after you take a course, to continue building your skills.

I have personally taken lessons through Blue Water Sailing School, Island Dreamer Sailing School, and Narragansett Sailing School and recommend all of these schools. Another school with a very good reputation, and which teaches all of the ASA courses, is the Maryland School of Seamanship.