The Many Different Ways To Experience Sailing

	Welcome to US SAILING, the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the United States. This presentation will expose you to the different types of sailing by describing various types of sailboats and sailing conditions. With an almost endless variety, there is enjoyment and challenge to be found for people of all abilities in every region of the United States. However, it should be remembered that there are combinations and gradations in almost all types of sailing.. * Click on Picture to Enlarge *
	Small Boats A small boat is a sailboat less than 20 feet and has either a mainsail or a combination of a mainsail and a front sail called a jib. These boats are relatively inexpensive and are a favorite of youth sailing programs, college racing teams and the Olympics.
	Sailing a small boat is both fun and challenging. One must balance and shift the crew's weight with every turn, sometimes having to hike out over the water to prevent the boat from capsizing. In high winds many small boats can achieve high speeds by planing or rising on top of the water. It has been said that the skill of the sailor is inversely related to the size of the sailboat.
	Keelboats Keelboats are single-hulled boats with a fixed center fin to resist slipping sideways under the force of the wind. Many have inboard engines and spacious cabins for living. These boats are heavy and do not rise above the water in high winds. The maximum speed of the boat is fixed by the length of the hull. For example: A 40 foot boat has a theoretical maximum speed of eight and a half knots.
	Keelboats are designed to safely lean over or heel when sailing against the wind. The keel is a large heavy fin at the bottom of the hull which resists the sideways slippage of the boat when sailing against the wind. The keel also adds to the stability of the boat allowing it to right itself even when the boat has been knocked down, by high winds, with the sails in the water.
	Multihulls A multihull sailboat has two to three hulls. They come in all sizes from small catamarans to large multihull ocean cruisers. The multiple hulls also resist sideway slippage under the force of the wind and thus they have smaller fins or none at all.
	Multihulls float higher in the water than keelboats, allowing them to go into shallower waters. They resist heeling or leaning over when sailing against the wind and can achieve speeds much greater than that of a single hull heavy displacement keelboat. However in high winds a multihull can become overpowered and capsize. If this happens, multihulls, unlike keelboats, will not right themselves.
	Windsurfing Windsurfing is extremely challenging and fun. One must balance yourself on the board and counteract the force of the wind. Great speeds can be obtained and falling in the water for the beginner is the rule rather than the exception. No great sweat, just get on the board again and continue to sail.
	Tall Ships Tall ships are large and have two or more masts on which large square sails are set. Many were designed for travel with a large cargo and over great distances on the high seas. They often have three to five large square sails per mast and triangular sails both at the front of the ship and in between the masts. Many of these ships are now used for sail training.
	Due to the length of the hull, these ships can travel fast. The number of square sails that are hoisted will depend upon the wind conditions. The triangular sails have a curvature similar to an airplane’s wing and allow the ship to sail closer to the wind.
	Exotics – Proa There are also many “exotic” sailboat designs. Take for example a cruising proa. A Proa has two hulls. A short but large passenger hull which is positioned towards the wind and a longer but smaller downwind hull on which is situated the mast and sails. With permission from the Harryproa Website
	A Proa does not turn by tacking or jibing. It turns by shunting. Throughout this maneuver the passenger hull stays towards the wind. The mast rotates 180 degrees and the sails reverse direction. The back of the boat becomes the front and the boat begins to sail in the opposite direction. With permission from the Harryproa Website
	Inshore Sailing inshore involves sailing on rivers, lakes and coastal waters where water depths and currents are constant challenges. In coastal areas, water depths and currents are constantly changing with many areas having two high and low tides each day. Where the waters are protected, the height of waves will be less in high wind conditions. However in other areas sailing can be as or more difficult as sailing on the ocean.
	During periods of higher tides, currents in some areas can reach up to 8 knots and water depth changes over 10 feet. Navigational skills are very important. One must have a knowledge of Aids To Navigation, such as buoys that mark safe or shallow water and knowledge of the dangers in the areas you are sailing in.
	Offshore Offshore sailing presents special challenges. No matter how much one likes to sail, at some point one must go to port. The challenges of sailing in current are present along with the difficulties of storms, navigation when out of sight of land and planning the provisions needed for a long trip In addition, one must be able to plan for and handle emergencies that may arise since a towing company and medical help will not be just around the corner.
	Now that you have seen that there are many ways to experience sailing, take your time and review this website at www.sailingcourse.com to learn more about sailing and before you start to sail, enroll in a US SAILING certified on-the-water training course.

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