Sailing

Harnessing the wind for maximum propulsion should be every serious sailor's goal. In order to accomplish it, sails should be trimmed properly using the correct technique which minimizes physical...

It's amazing to me how people neglect to clean their sails, although after doing some research I think I know why? Sails are expensive and a typical cleaning solution like bleach could ruin the...

Sails are the large sheets of material attached to sailboats that catch the wind and propel the boat forward. Sails differ in size, position on the boat and material.

Even with diligent care, it's almost unavoidable that terylene sails will at some point end up with mildew or stains that need to be removed. The good news is that it doesn't take a lot of...

Although there are many types of sailboats, from tiny catboats to the large schooner, they each have similar parts. The sailboat's body is called the hull. The boat's front is called the bow,...

Learn how to fill the sails in this free online video lesson on sailing.

Learn how to control the sails on a sailboat in this free online video lesson on sailing.

Learn how to safely and correctly trim the sails on a sailboat in this free video clip on sailing and boating.

The reason sailboats are powered forward is because of the interaction between the wind and the sails of your boat. The amount of sail area that should be exposed to the wind varies based on the...

There are many different sailboat designs, each with different handling characteristics. The steps in this article is for sailing on a sloop, the most common type of sailboat. A sloop has one mast...

The direction that a boat sails relative to the wind is its point of sail. Different points of sail include sailing at close haul, on a close reach, on a beam reach, on a broad reach and on a run....

A marine environment can be hard on the gel coat and the hardware of your boat. In foul weather, salt spray from the water will dry on the surfaces and sails. The salt crystals wear and corrode...

Wind is the power behind a sailboat. The strength and direction of the wind is fundamental in how you set the sails for turning and maintain control of your boat. The closer you sail toward the...

Sail making is part art and science. Sails are made of individual panels sewn together to hold a curve created by the wind. Although sails today are designed on a computer, they are still for the...

Coming about in the wind, or tacking, is one of the fundamental skills of sailing. After all, beginning sailors will need to know how to get back home, even though their sails are full of wind...

Getting a sailboat to move in the direction and at the speed you want takes a subtle hand and patience. However, with a properly rigged boat, some sailing lessons and practice, you can propel a...

A yawl is a sailboat that is one of the easiest boats to sail single-handedly. It has two masts and typically four sails. One of the masts, called the mizzenmast, sits behind the rudder, making it...

Purchasing a new sail for your sailboat is expensive but necessary. Sails, a major investment for any sailor, are available from a wide range of boating retailers. Shop online and at local lofts...

When you finally get out there on the water, the last thing you want to do is spend all day trimming the sails. The easiest thing to do set yourself on a nice reach, tie down the jib and sit back...

Sailing upwind requires a careful balance between maintaining speed without veering to far from your course. The rush of apparent wind, the pitch of the boat as it rolls over waves and the...

Trimming the sails on your sailboat allows you to make the most of the wind that is available. By understanding how to trim your sails, you can have greater control over your boat. Adjust your...

Tacking a sailboat is an essential skill in the sport of sailing. Since sailors are at the mercy of the wind (and wind direction), you need to know how to tack expertly in order to sail an upwind...

A catamaran is a double-hulled boat that is powered by either a motor or sails. The 2-hulled structure of a catamaran makes the boat fast and relatively stable. Most recreational catamarans are...

Sailing is a pastime enjoyed by many in the United States and around the world. While some may think of sailing as an activity for coastal regions, this sport can be enjoyed almost anywhere there...

Steering a course with just the sails works only if the wind is 10 to 15 knots and steady, the direction doesn’t change more than 5 degrees at a time and you can balance and set the tiller and...

The position of the sails and the strength of the wind control your sailboat's speed. You can, however, do two things to adjust the velocity. Follow these steps.

One of the first skills you need to master to become a competent sailor is rigging your sails, which means getting them into position on your boat. The mainsail is the sail attached to the mast,...

Sailing downwind presents challenges, even for the professional sailor. To do it successfully, you must learn how to run and jibe.

A new set of sails is like a new set of racing tires. Keep your sails like new and you'll love your boat speed.