Sloop designs are the most common variety of sailboat, The term sloop originates from the Dutch word slope. This design utilizes a mainsail and foresail with one mast. Sloops usually bend only one headsail, though this distinction is not definitive. Unlike cutters, sloops usually have only one headsail, though some sloops such as the Friendship Sloop have more than one sail. Sloops are popular with sport sailors, yachtsmen and as racing craft. Cutters are very similar to a sloop with a single mast and a mainsail. The cutter generally carries the mast further aft to allow for the use of two headsails attached towing forestays, the head stay and the inner stay carry the jib and staysail respectively. This is rarely considered a racing configuration; however, it gives much versatility to cruising boats, especially when there are high wind conditions.

Catboats today are used as a pleasure craft for day sailing. 19th century catboats were also used for racing. Ketch designs are sailing craft with two masts: a main mast, and a shorter mizzen. Both masts are rigged mainly fore-and-aft. Ketch boats are very popular among long distance cruisers. The additional sail allows for a better balance. Another popular sailboat configuration is the schooner. A schooner can have two or more masts. The second mast is at least as tall as the first mast. Sailboats are also classified by hull type. Most sailboats are built with a mono or a single hull. However, some boats are built as multi hull boats. These include catamaran and tri-maran vessels. When comparing a mono hull boat to multi-hull boat acceleration is much different. In a multi-hull boat acceleration to a top speed is very quick and almost instantaneous.

Sailing requires a high level of experience and skill. Crew must be able to quickly change rigs, rudder and dagger to change the speed and direction of the boat in a variety of sea conditions. In addition to steering the boat and managing the sails, crew must also have at least basic knowledge of some of the skills that are normally the responsibility of the captain. These can include weather forecasting, navigation, emergency repairs, marine electronics, first aid and others.

Take courses. Community colleges, marine chandleries, Coast Guard Auxiliary, boat shows, and a number of other enterprises offer seminars, workshops, and courses on a variety of topics related to cruising. If you learn best in a classroom or group environment, check out resources in your area.

Get one-on-one instruction. Hire a sailing instructor. Look over the shoulder of a diesel mechanic. Talk to a sail maker. If you learn best through individual instruction and consultation, there should be any number of experts available that you can hire, exchange services with, or otherwise remunerate in return for instruction on a particular topic. Read everything you can get your hands on. Some people learn best through the written word. There are scads of books out there about every topic pertinent to cruising, so if you enjoy learning by reading, there is plenty of resource material available.

Learn on the water. There are those who learn best by doing. Boat handling skills in particular are probably best mastered in situations. Which leads me to the next ‘preparing to prepare’ topic.

Getting Out on the Water Find ways to get yourself and your partner onto the water, either separately or together. No matter how much you learn from books and courses, on-the-water experience is a great way to really solidify your skills. This will also help you decide if being on the water is worthy trying as a lifestyle.

Go with friends. If you have friends with boats, go out with them. If you don’t have a boat yourself, this will give you time on the water. If you do have a boat, this will expose you to different boat characteristics and equipment.

Charter a boat in your home waters. If you are within easy reach of a body of water, charter a boat of the type or types that you are considering cruising. Vary the amount of time, the kind of boat, and the nature of the weather that you go out in. Charter a boat in faraway waters. Consider taking boating vacations in other parts of the world. Besides exposing you to different types of boats, this will put you into different environments and weather patterns.

Participate on a racing crew. If you live in an area with an active racing community, either or both of you can join a crew. Many coastal cities and town have ‘Beer Can’ races during the season that are a little bit more laid back and convivial than the mainstream racing events; these are best to participate in if you don’t want to be a blood-n-guts racing competitor.

There is an extensive variety of sailing destinations on the many islands of the Caribbean that one can pick from. You can choose to navigate through the tropical islets and clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea or trace the routes of ancient mariners in the Mediterranean Sea; or, perhaps you may want to laze around in the beauty of the Scandinavian fjords.

The lucid, turquoise Caribbean Sea waters are perfect and highly inviting for any one who romances the idea of sailing or cruising! With an enchanting backdrop of scenic islands Caribbean seas offer ideal sailing prospects, especially with the easterly trade winds gently stroking your face while you cruise along the beautiful turquoise waters!

The Caribbean offers some of the most thrilling sailing destinations in the world. And any ‘sailing trip’ without a visit to the British Virgin Islands would indeed be incomplete. The clear, blue waters are perfect for sailing coupled with other water sport activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, or just basking on the white sandy beaches in the Caribbean sun.

And surprisingly these islands are only a small part of the thousands of inviting sailing destinations in the Caribbean. St. Martin is perhaps the best-recognized place to go to after your first or second yacht charter. From there, one can sail to the island paradises of Saint Barth and Anguilla.

All the night-creatures can look forward to Antigua and Barbuda that offer a vivacious nightlife. One can also sail to Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines as well as many of the other beautiful, tropical Caribbean islands. Travel around the infrequently visited coves and bays and bask in the natural bounty. You will certainly feel reinvigorated in both body and mind while sailing through these beautiful places.

Today, sailing vacations have become a big business along Caribbean beaches. Most resorts and hotels provide stay-sail facilities. There are many other attractions like folk dances, native food, etc. which becomes a part of the entire sailing package. One can contact a travel agent or a first class yacht and sailing company in the Caribbean and book his trip! One can conveniently do these reservations online as well on numerous travel websites!

1. Evaluate Skill Levels: Consider the experience level of those participating, age, strength and understanding of first aid. Going out on the community lake verses taking on the ocean are obviously opposite conditions. Getting in over your head can lead to inadequate skill and knowledge necessary for sailing conditions or unexpected events. Although most situations can easily be handled, such a scraps and abrasions, others take more judgement and knowledge. Having clear thinking, good judgement and experience cannot be overrated. Make sure those participating are able to handle the situations that may arise.

2. Life Preservers: Everyone on a sailing vessel should have a life preserver, and wear it, especially children. The unexpected can always happen and being prepared for it could save a life. Falling from a boat and hitting your head can be very serious, even a good swimmer can get knocked out and a jacket will keep them a float. To help make jackets comfortable, fit them for the individual. If it is the right size, comfortable and a style that is preferred, it will be easier to wear. Although some situations are rare, one cannot rule out the possibility that they could happen. It is better to be safe than sorry.

3. Sailing Shoes: Due to the nature of sailing, lots of water is involved! Sailing shoes will give feet grip on a wet deck and help with balance, control and walking around. A simple slip can cause a twisted ankle, bruises or pulled muscles that not only make sailing uncomfortable, but might cut a trip early.

4 . First Aid Kit: Have a first aid kit on board and stocked, and check it before each trip. Small problems can lead to big ones if not taken care of properly and promptly. Clean cuts and wounds, use anti-biotic ointment and cover it well. Have pain medicine and other bandages as well as basic knowledge of first aid care. Instructions or directions would also be helpful on board, especially for possible dangers such as hypothermia. Sometimes in an emergency a person does not think clearly or quickly. Having information at hand will help handle the situation quickly and correctly.

5. Clothing and Sunscreen: Wind and sun can damage your skin and be uncomfortable. Wear clothes that protect you and help against these conditions. Those who frequently go out in the sun, over a long period of time, without sunscreen will be at a higher risk for skin cancer. Apply sunscreen thirty minutes before sun exposure and every hour or so while outside. A sunburn can occur even a cloudy day, so always protect your skin.

It is extremely important to know a lot about sailing vacations, prior to actually setting out for one. This will make you know all about the trip, things you can enjoy, things you need to stay aware from etc. These suggestions are simple and basic. Following basic safety measures will help prevent serious problems and allow you to be prepared for the small ones that occur more frequently. By thinking ahead accidents can be avoided and small problems will be taken care of before they become big ones.

The first and most common sail configuration is the sloop, which consists of a mainsail and foresail. The basic sloop design also comes with several different variations, for example there can be more than one foresail or a fractional rig. A fractional rig is a sloop where the foresail doesn’t go all that way to the top of the mast. In some conditions this type of a rig can give the boat better performance.

Then there is that catboat which is similar to the sloop in design with only one mast, however it doesn’t have a headsail like a sloop. The catboat is also distinctive because the mast is placed close to the bow of the boat. Next is the ketch, which has two masts; a main and a mizzenmast. There may also be a jib sail in front of the main mast on some ketch sailboats. Lastly there is the schooner, which can have two or more masts with the second being at least as tall as the first.

So with all these choices to choose from how can you determine which of the many types of sailboats is right for your needs? First you need to take the time to learn about the different types of sailboats available. Some of the many types of sailboats to consider is keelboats, catamarans, catboats,trimarans, sloops, chooners and yawls among others. Each sailboat will have their own features, which you need to consider and learn about before making an informed decision. So take the time to do some research and familiarize yourself will all the available types of sailboats.

Next you need to consider what you plan on doing with your sailboat. Where will you be using the sailboat most often; in the ocean, on a lake or at a marina? When deciding what sailboat to buy you need to know where you will be using it since each location has a different aspect to the wind and water which will need to be considered before making a final decision.

Now consider how many people you will typically have on board your sailboat. Knowing how many people are typically going to be with you can help you determine the right size of the sailboat you need. You also need to consider the fact that depending on the size of the sailboat you choose you may also need more people to safely operate the sailboat.

Sailing requires a high level of experience and skill. Crew must be able to quickly change rigs, rudder and dagger to change the speed and direction of the boat in a variety of sea conditions.Therefore, consider how you are going to use your sailboat. For those who want to race, you will need a drastically different boat than those who just want a sailboat to use for a leisurely time on the marina or lake. Taking all of these factors into account can help you choose the right sailboat type for your needs.

Taking sailing holidays is a good option for people looking to do something more active. Sailing is a skill that requires plenty of training and experience in order to be able to enjoy the travelling experience. You can opt to go for a bareboat yacht, which means you will need to pick up the boat yourself and organise your own itinerary on the days you have chosen to charter. If you do choose to go for the bareboat yacht charter you are held responsible to make sure that it stays in a good quality condition, returning it with a full tank of fuel and left in the exact same condition as the day you had picked it up.

However, if sailing holidays are something are accustomed to then the process of hiring your own boat will become second nature to you. Usually yacht charter companies tend to want to find out previous experiences in sailing, including any relevant qualifications and proof of sailing ability. Those with relatively low experience should opt for a skippered yacht charter, as then you will be delegated a skipper to navigate you to your chosen destination. The skipper will usually have his own cabin and cover his own costs for meals. Larger yachts will contain catering services, host and a cook.

When opting for a flotilla yacht chartering a person with low experience can skipper his own boat, with the reassurance of having an experienced skipper at hand to help them with the process. However, the disadvantages lie on the conditions of the private cabins, which are not always as luxurious as other yachts and may not have running water. Therefore, one advantage of going on sailing holidays is that you can stop at nearby islands, book in at an accommodation temporarily and take a shower there.

You should always approach yacht-chartering companies with caution as not all companies offer you the best quality in yachts. The best way to find the right chartering company is to approach the most reputable companies, which have a proven track record of offering customers good quality service. There is no guarantee that you will get the same service, as different companies function differently from each other. However, there are internet forums out there for you to read up from other peoples first hand experiences with various companies.

For many people, sailing is like a second life, where they can enjoy the quietness, peacefulness, fresh air and serenity of the sea. Sharing a boat with other people is a good idea for couples who are looking to save a bit of money on their sailing holiday. These include breakfast, lunch and on board entertainment. Cheaper boats may not offer entertainment and may require you to cater for your own food. Those wishing to learn how to sail whilst on holiday can book for courses in advance via the internet or directly contacting the agency. The advantages of going on sailing holidays, is that you are able to travel with ease, whilst getting the opportunity to see some of the most impressive sites.