1. Wind Power for Boats
Sailing vessels have been around for most of the world's history. Sailing vessels have been necessary for trade, travel and conquest in most areas of the world. Some of the earliest reports mark an accomplished sailing culture. The explorers of the Middle Ages discovered much of the globe using sailing vessels. Today, power boats abound and people are most often interested in speed. In an environment and culture that needs to minimize the impact on the planet, power boats produce pollution for both the air and the water. Sailboats driven by the wind, however, leave little trace of their passage. Those that enjoy the quiet day and feel of the breeze in their faces rely on wind to take them on their way.
2. Boats of a Different Shape
There are many different kinds of sailboats. In the western world, boats that plow the seas and large bodies of water are either sloops, ketches, yawls or motor-sailers. The number of masts and sails on the boat determine the type of boat it is. A sloop is a boat that has a single mast and 2 sails. One sail is on the main mast and the other sail connects between the front point of the boat and the top of the mast. This sail is the jib or spinnaker. A ketch and a yawl both have a second mast that has its own sail. The difference between the two is the placement of the second mast. On a ketch, the second mast stands behind the main mast and in front of the rudder post, while the yawl has the second mast also behind the main mast but behind the rudder post. The final type most commonly seen is the motor-sailer. These are equipped with an inboard motor to drive the boat when the wind is too light and a sail to provide the power when the winds are adequate.
3. Just Out for the Day
Many people have small sailboats that they use on the smaller lakes for a day of fun. These crafts range in size from 8 feet to about 20 feet. They are easy to put in the water and take home at the end of the day. They are very mobile and travel to new waters by simply taking a drive. These boats are ideal for learning to handle the boat and teaching others how to sail. They provide the opportunity to decide if you like it enough to think about purchasing a larger boat.
4. Offshore Sailors
Larger sailboats cruise coastal waters and do a bit of island hopping in areas of the world where there are many islands. They are big enough to handle foul weather on bigger bodies of water and have facilities to sleep, cook and even have a bathroom. The cost of these vessels is usually much higher than the smaller craft and an added expense is the need for moorage when not in use. The larger boats provide the ability to take a number of friends or accommodate larger families than the smaller day-sailor.
5. Teach Me to Sail
To get a flavor of sailing, most coastal regions have a multitude of sailing schools. If you live in a region that has no sailing schools, think about a sailing vacation. These are available in the Caribbean or other regions around the nation or world.
