Sailing is a global sport that appeals to people of all ages from kids to pensioners and everyone in between. The term sailing could refer to numerous types of boating; dingy, powerboat or yacht, to name a few. Of course, prior to setting out in the water, you should know a few basics, such as wind direction and how a boat moves in the water.
Yachting
Most people think of a yacht when sailing is mentioned; a yacht can be powered by sail or motor; indeed, most yachts have both, as the wind is not always available. Most vessels have cabins below deck and some yachts are huge, normally called superyachts, which cost millions of dollars. If you would like to learn the basics, there is a top-rated sailing course in Melbourne where everything is supplied
Multi-hull boats
Catamarans and trimarans are very popular as they offer solid stability, with two and three hulls that hold cabins that are suitable for ocean sailing. Most have sails and onboard motors, which allows them to take on long voyages.
Dinghies
The dinghy is a small keelboat that also comes under the sailing umbrella and many people start with a dinghy, which is small and much easier to handle than a yacht. After a few years sailing a dinghy, you can move up to a larger vessel when you have gained more sailing experience. Dinghies come in many sizes and most have outboard motors and are relatively easy to control. Click here if you are looking for ways to make some extra cash.
Safety gear
When you are on the water, you must wear an approved lifejacket and suitable wet weather clothing, depending on conditions, of course. You should have a whistle, which you can use should you go into the water.
Start with a basic sailing course
A basic course teaches you the fundamentals with a mixture of theory and practical; this course typically takes 4-5 days, with a couple of days in the classroom and the rest of the time on the water with a certified instructor.
Learn to sail weekend
A weekend course with an optional overnight stay on the vessel in the harbour is a favourite starting point and this is enough to grasp the basics and to discover whether or not sailing is for you. Call it an introductory course to give you a taste of sailing, which is a popular way to get into this amazing sport. If you would like to learn more about the various sailing schools located in Melbourne, start with a Google search to bring up a list of accredited sailing schools and browse websites until you find what you think is the best in terms of introductory courses.
Boat rentals
Once you have learned enough to be able to take out a small boat, you can rent one for the day and after a few months, you could consider purchasing a used boat. It should be noted that there are costs involved with vessel maintenance and upkeep, such as mooring.
