VII. Setting Sail

Congratulations! That’s all you need to know for now. It takes most beginners months to learn what you’ve learned. Obviously there’s no substitute for real practice, but it’s hugely beneficial to know what to expect. You really should feel confident. And I hope you feel excited.

What to Wear

Layer up! It can be hot and sunny on the way out and cold and windy on the way in, so be prepared for both with a waterproof jacket, a hat, and sunscreen. If you have hiking clothes, those will work great.

Keep your belongings secure. I’ve seen too many phones slide across the deck into the ocean for one lifetime.

As for footwear, any non-marking, closed-toed shoes will do.

You will probably get wet.

Above all, wear a life jacket.

Stay Safe

While you’ve learned a lot, it can be dangerous to go alone. Mother nature can be unforgiving, and it does considerable sailing experience to know how to stay safe. So please find a friend or instructor who can take you out and help you put these ideas to use.

Join the Community

If you’re lucky enough to live by the ocean, there’s likely a community sailing center that would love to have you. If you’re by any big lakes, there may be one there too.

Come hang out with us online! Post on Reddit’s /r/sailing or Sailing Anarchy and get to know the incredible community, see if any of your friends have a dinghy you can try, or, if you’re up for it, introduce yourself to someone at a local marina and let them know you’re learning. Feel free to say you learned on sailingtutorials.com.

And when you do finally get out on the water, please let me know how it goes.

Friends, Instructors, & Mentors at SailingTutorials.com

Need help finding a club, class, or a crew to join? Create an account at SailingTutorials.com or reach out to me at kyle@sailingtutorials.com and I’ll personally help you get out on the water.

If this helped, please give this tutorial a few 👏🏻👏🏼👏🏾s. Your support encourages me to write more.

.k