Boat Types: Advanced Sailing Video Lessons

Series Summary

Today, sailing is usually done for pleasure rather than for travel. Some people put their sailing skills to the test in sailboat races; some just find it exciting to be riding the ocean waves leisurely, using techniques which sailors have employed for thousands of years. Sailing remains a highly technical and complicated management of wind and sails, ropes and knots. A sailboat can have any number of sail and mast configurations that determine how the craft responds in varying weather and water conditions. The open sea is a dangerous place to go unprepared, and people still spend lifetimes learning the craft of sailing.

In this series of free instructional video lessons you’ll learn advanced sailing techniques. Expert Russ Ansley offers information on the different hull and keel types, navigation tips, and storage options for your sailboat. You’ll also learn advice on hiking, cross-sheeting and rig tuning that will improve your sailing skills and make your adventures on the ocean more enjoyable.

Video Transcript

" When people first buy their sail boat, they are not thinking about going fast. They are thinking about leisure sails at sunset, a glass of wine, some music, but as you begin to get a little bit better as a sailor, fast becomes everything. If you are not careful it will take over and you become a racer. A couple of considerations that you might make if you're looking for a sail boat is the hull shape. Hull shape is a good indicator of speed. The wider fatter hulls of Catalina 22 for example offers a certain amount of comfort but, at the sacrifice of speed. The sleeker hulls of a J-22 might offer you a lot more speed and performance, but they are not very comfortable down below. So if you're in the market for a boat, keep those two ideas in mind. You may start off with a leisurely sail, but eventually your are going to want go fast. So sometimes you might want to find a compromise boat somewhere in between. Comfort and speed.."