A sailboat is a small vessel that uses the power of the wind to move. This type of boat is often used for long-distance cruising, as it can cover vast oceans with relative ease and at a much lower cost than air travel or land-based transportation. Sailing requires a great deal of planning and preparation, including completing safety training courses, installing a navigation system and maintaining the equipment on a regular basis.
Before you hoist the sails, make sure your boat is pointed into the wind (by watching telltales or other indicators) and that there are no lines snagging on anything. It is also a good idea to clean the deck of salt that has built up, particularly if you have a teak deck; this will keep it looking good and help prevent slips. Also, you should tie up or neatly wrap all lines that aren’t in use and out of the way of anyone walking around on the boat.
Once you’re ready to sail, cleat the mainsail halyard where it comes down from the top of the mast and the jib halyard (if you have one) on the front of the boat. Once the halyards are cleated, you can raise the mainsail by pulling on its sheet, and the jib by pulling on its halyard. Always raise the mainsail first; this will help you point the boat into the wind more easily.
Once the sails are raised, you’ll need to keep an eye on your course and watch for changing winds. When the wind shifts, change direction by tacking, which means steering the boat on a new tack by turning the wheel or working the tiller. The more you learn to read the wind and work the sails, the faster and more efficiently your sailboat will go.
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