If you want the challenge of moving with the winds, then a sail boat may be the perfect boat for you. Those who sail agree that sailing is more challenging than ordinary boating but at the same time it gives a different kind of satisfaction. Once you have mastered the art of piloting a sail boat, it is easy to make it a lifelong sport and recreation.
There are different types of sailing to fit the different preferences of boaters. There is day sailing for those who want to do a variety of activities during the day. Cruising is also another form of sailing for those who prefer to head out to the waters for a night, a weekend, or maybe even longer. For a more adventurous kind of sailing, sailboat racing is the thing to do.
For all of these sailing activities, there is an appropriate sail boat available. Indeed, sail boats of all sizes, types, and prices have been designed and developed to meet the wide-ranging nature of modern-day recreational sailing.
However, we can classify these boats in four general categories: off-the-beach, day sailor, coastal cruiser, and racing. Let us look at each type to find out what best suits your particular kind of sailing activity.
Off-the-beach boat
An off-the-beach boat is ideal for those who wants to learn the basics of sailing. It is fast and easy to set up and often light and small enough to be hand-carried. Boats under this type include a dinghy, a boardboat, or multihull.
A dinghy, for example, is a small sailboat with a centerboard and can be used off the beach or around the harbor. It can also be used for small-lake sailing and racing.
Off-the-beach boats gives the sailor immediate gratification as he moves along with the winds. The sailor can easily feel his boat responding easily as he shifts his weight, pulls on the tiller, or trims the mainsheet. To best enjoy an off-the-beach sail boat, you need to quick to response and exert more physical effort. You must also know how to swim to bring yourself back on the boat in case it capsizes.
Day sailor
As the name suggests, day sailing boats refer to small sailboats that are designed primarily for use for a day. This means you should not expect any elaborate overnight accommodations on board. Boats classified under this type are centerboard boats, wind surfers, keel boats and some types of dinghies, catamarans and small cruisers.
Day sailors are best suited for short day trips on small lakes and calm waters. Sizes range from mid-teens to low-30 feet. New boats range from $10,000-$40,000. These boats can hold one to five people.
You need to be an intermediate sailor at least to pilot a day sailor. You should know the basics of sail trim, the points of sail, the right-of-way rules, and the fundamentals of anchoring, docking, and navigation and the basics of weather. Get this boat if you want a bigger vessel than an off-the-beach boat and want to hone your sailing skills.
Coastal cruising
Sailboats designed for coastal cruising feature living accommodations such as beths, galley, head, dining area, among others. Cruising sailboats offer open-cockpit seating for entertaining above decks and one or more cabins below decks to accommodate family and friends for overnight cruises. Boats of this type range from 30 feet to 60 feet or more.
At least intermediate-level sailing, navigation, anchoring, docking and weather skills, are needed to pilot a coastal cruiser.
Racing Sailboats
Racing sailboats on the other hand span a wide variety of possibilities from high-performance dinghies to offshore one-design classes, ranging from 30 to 70 ft. Speed and ease of maneuver are the prime offerings of racing sailboats. They are also designed to be sturdier to withstand the rigors of racing.
There are two forms of sailboat racing. One-Design racing pertains to boats of the same type pitting against each other. The other type – handicap racing – is when different types of sail boats race against each other.
|
|
|
-
Sail boats
( 3 items )
Find out how to look after your sail boat and which one will suit your lifestyle (or budget).
|
Sail Boats 