Many passersby have stopped in to ask us the best way to learn how to sail. Most folks want to know how long it takes to learn and what the process looks like. Learning how to sail can be an exciting and fulfilling experience, but it can also be daunting for beginners. That being said, its a fun process and Sail Monterey is here to help! Here are some of the best ways to learn how to sail:
Take a Sailing Course
The most effective way to learn how to sail is to take a sailing course. A good sailing course will teach you everything you need to know, including the basics of boat handling, sail trim, sailng theory, reading the wind, and boating safety. At Sail Monterey, you can become a certified sailor through the American Sailing Association or NauticEd programs. Click here to check out the sailing classes that Sail Monterey is currently offering. In some cases, you can also find sailing courses at local sailing clubs, colleges, and online.
Join a Yacht Club
Joining a yacht club or sailing club is a great way to learn how to sail while also meeting other sailors. Most sailing clubs offer training courses for beginners, and once you’ve learned the basics, you can join a crew or participate in races. Sailing clubs are also a great way to gain access to boats without having to purchase one yourself. The Monterey Penninsula Yacht Club organizes weekly sailing races, and you don’t have to be a member to crew on the race boats! As well, CSUMB has a sailing club that is open to students and staff to learn how to sail on Fj sailing dinghys.
Learn to Sail by Attending Sailing Regattas
Attending sailing regattas is a great way to learn from experienced sailors. You can observe how they handle their boats, how they read the wind, and how they navigate around obstacles. You can also ask questions and get tips from more experienced sailors. As mentioned before, most clubs do not require membership to join a raceboat as crew. The Monterey Penninsula Yacht Club organizes races in the spring and summer every Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon. Visit MPYC’s website for more information and to connect with the local sailors.
Read Sailing Books and Magazines
Reading sailing books and magazines is an excellent way to supplement your practical sailing experience. A popular magazine in the central coast area is Latitude 38. At Sail Monterey, we recommend and sell the following books that you can find on amazon.
- The Complete Sailor
- Chapman Piloting and Seamanship
- ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing
- Successfully Skipper a Sailboat
These magazines and books cover everything from the basics of sailing to advanced sail trim as well as understanding weather patterns and technical aspects of sailboats. Reading about sailing can help you better understand the sport and prepare you for real-world sailing situations. Check out Sail Monterey’s blog for more information on getting into sailing
Watch Sailing Videos
Watching sailing videos can be a great way to learn. Youtube has a plethora of videos on sail theory and mechanics. Another easy way to dive in is by taking a free sailing course through NauticEd that uses interacitve design and videos to help you grasp the techniques. Watching videos can help you visualize how to use the sails to harness the power of the wind and make a boat go.
Learn to Sail with Practice, Practice, Practice
As with any skill, the key to becoming a confident sailor is practice. The more you sail, the more comfortable you will become with the boat, the wind, and the water. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they’re a natural part of the learning process. As long as you put saftey first before every cruise, practice is the number one thing you can do to learn how to be a better sailor.
