Why not learn to sail – Part 1 - Orlando / Florida Guide
Florida Guide > Travelling
It’s amazing how often the chance to do some sailing happens when you’re travelling. So if you don’t just want to be a passenger here’s how to get started. I’ll try to look at the costs, the risks, deciding where to go, and eventually do you want to become a master of the seas.
So why go sailing? Well, there are many answers to that question most of which depend on your outlook on life.
It’s a great way to get outdoors. Getting out in nature lowers your blood pressure and improves your mood. It’s a great way to unplug. Phones, iPads, computers, and water don’t mix well. It’s active. Sailing helps to improve your balance, and you also work your arm muscles while hoisting and trimming sails, all good exercise. It’s best shared with friends. There are some who prefer to explore solo, but the rest of us go sailing with friends and family. Sailors often say that the sport fosters lifetime friendships and lasting fond memories. It’s intergenerational. In some families, the grandparents teach the younger generation to sail. In others, the young people take their parents or grandparents out sailing. It’s a very family friendly sport. It’s green. Sailboats are powered by the wind, which is still free. Even sailboats with engines require very little fuel. It’s exciting. The wind in your face, the sound of waves splashing under you, sunlight glittering on the water, sailing can be exciting. It’s relaxing. Some days on the water can be very quiet. Just a little breeze some sun and the calming sound of the water. It’s challenging. Although you can learn the basics of sailing in a short time, there is always more to learn. It’s a great sport for keeping your mind active. So think you might be interested then read on find out what step you can take.
As romantic as it sounds, it obviously can get rough so, first, make sure you actually enjoy life on a boat. The reality of a floating existence can mean being confined in a small space, possibly getting seasick, being away from certain creature comforts. Is it for you? Test out life on the water by committing to a day or weekend sailing trip locally first. If you enjoyed that, then take the plunge and signup for an easy going week’s cruise abroad, such as a Turkish gullet. This a wooden sailing yacht that has a cook and a skipper with around 10 passengers. If you like that and you could graduate to a skippered yacht or a flotilla trip. On the former, a qualified sailor mans the helm and you can help out as much as you like. On flotilla trips, a small group of yachts sail a planned route together, following a lead boat manned by an experienced skipper and crew.
For introductory sailing trips, I would recommend destinations such as Croatia, Greece or Italy were the climate and conditions are kinder to the novice. The need for qualifications before embarking on a flotilla trip varies between countries and areas so do check before you book.
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