The Practical Aspects of Owning a Sailboat

Sailing is often touted as one of the most romantic and alluring modes of transportation. The idea of buying a boat, cutting the dock lines and sailing away is enough to make people drop everything and start dreaming about life on the water. However, if you are considering purchasing a sailboat it is important to have a clear understanding of the practical aspects of sailing.

A new sailor should always try to join a club or sailing school where they can get the chance to learn how to handle a variety of boats before making a purchase. This will help them decide what type of boat they want to own and what layout suits their lifestyle. In addition to the mechanical skills that you’ll need for self-sufficiency on the water, it’s also important to understand how much maintenance and repair will cost each year. It is a good rule of thumb to estimate that annual maintenance and repairs will be about 10%-20% of the boat’s purchase price each year.

If you’re planning on participating in a race it is important to have a strategy and focus on getting off to a strong start. A fast start allows you to catch up with other boats and increase your speed before they run out of wind. You should also seek out areas with more wind and navigate your boat towards them. This will allow you to maximize your speed and give you a big advantage over competitors.