Extreme Basics of Sailing

Sailing is a wonderful activity if you know what you are doing. Some things about sailing seem obvious to even the experienced sailors but elude the less experienced sailors. Some of these like: you will get wet, don't throw trash in the water, avoid stationary objects,wear a life jacket, don't feed the birds--these are extreme basics that everyone assumes you will know when sailing. I assume nothing.

#1 Rule

If you are going sailing or boating the number one rule is always wear your life jacket. They are called life jackets or PFD's (Personal Flotation Device) and they aren't there to act as seat cushions. Put it on while you are sailing. You may argue that you can swim well and that is fine. I'll bet you can't swim while unconscious though. Sailing a boat does have it's dangers, like that big swinging piece of metal called the boom. A Sailing joke is that it is named for the sound you hear when it hits your head. I want to correct that sailing line. It's the sound everyone else hears when it hits your head. You actually hear a loud crack followed by a loud buzzing sound. I had a boom fall full force on the back of head while sailing and I can honestly tell you that if I ended up in the water without my PFD, I would have drowned. Wear it!

Rule #1

You can't sail upwind. Try as you might, you can not sail upwind. If you don't believe me go get a boat and point the nose of it into the wind. I mean straight into the wind. You won't be sailing anymore. You'll be bobbing like a cork.

You will get wet

You are going to be on a boat that is floating on a large body of water. The likelihood of you and/or your stuff getting wet is pretty high. While sailing, the water does not politely stay outside the boat. If you are sailing fast enough it can, and will, splash the boat and everyone in it. Don't bring anything you don't want to get wet. Pack your cellphone in a water tight case if you must bring it sailing with you.

Don't Feed the Birds

Yes, I know, birds are so cute and you want to feed them so they'll get closer to the boat. Stop that! Stop that right now! Eat those crackers while we are sailing but for the love of everything sacred DO NOT FEED the birds. Or anything else that is not sailing with us for that matter. If you are wondering why, go to your nearest marina and check out the boats. Those white streaks are from birds pooping on the boats. It drives me crazy when I am sailing and some novice tourist is flinging bread to the birds. My only joy is listening to them scream from the imminent bird poop shower. I don't want to be a part of it though.

Do not throw things in the water

Just because your apple core is biodegradable does not mean you can throw it in the water while we're sailing. There are laws prohibiting people from throwing trash in the water. That includes the core to the apple you just ate. This also includes bread, plastic, paper plates, your spouse and kids, soda bottle and anything else you want to get rid of. Throw it in the trash and when you are done sailing, take it to shore and dispose of it properly.

The boat is going to lean

If you are sailing downwind (going where the wind is blowing) you won't have this "problem". While sailing toward the wind (or in the direction the wind is coming from), the wind fills the sails to pull the boat along. When this happens, the boat will lean heavily to one side. It's called heeling. You do not need to panic and start climbing up the cockpit, clinging to the life lines and/or wrapping yourself firmly around the skipper. Just be aware of this and be ready to change seats if needed. You are not going to be dumped out of the boat and the boat is probably not on it's way to capsizing (Especially if it's over 18 feet long). This is perfectly normal for sailing. Enjoy it.

Tiller Towards Trouble

While sailing, sometimes the skipper will let you take a turn steering the boat. This is pretty fun and exciting especially for someone who has never actually steered a boat before. Some quick things to remember before you grab the tiller. If you are sailing a boat with a tiller, it's backwards from a wheel. If you want to go right, turn the tiller to the left and vice versa. Generally, you should steer away from the other floating objects. Think of them as sailing dollar signs. Whether a boat or a buoy, if you sail into it, it will cost someone some money. If you panic, just remember "Tiller Towards Trouble"!

Avoid stationary objects

This may seem absolutely silly to many sailing folk. But I am serious. Along with all the other things you may need to avoid are stationary objects. Bridges, docks, piers, jetty's and restaurants to name a few. They are stationary. They do not move. They can not sail away from you. If you head straight towards them, you will sail into them. Avoid them! I know you probably think I am joking about this one but there are many sea stories of people slamming into docks, sailing into jetty's, steering into a pier and bouncing down the side of restaurants on their sailing adventures.

If you own a boat, you probably already know all these things. But if you have never been on the water, these tips are for you! Enjoy your sailing experience.