Unmasking The Myths Of Sailing

 

For the initiated sailor, it's like telling fish stories they get slightly more exaggerated with each telling. For the non-sailor, however, the myths start to take on the quality of a David Lynch nightmare. Let's look at a few of the more common myths non-sailors associate with sailing.

 

 

 

 

 

Myth #1: Sailing is only for the rich.
At one time, maybe so, but 40 years ago television was also a newfangled device only for the elite. All forms of recreation require a certain outlay of cash both for learning the sport and for continuing to participate. Sailing is no different, but it is no longer the corinthian sport in which only the idle upper class had the time and money to participate. Lessons are affordable and the opportunities to sail without having to buy a boat are boundless. Today, folks of all ages, from a wide variety of backgrounds, enjoy sailing. Most of them never think of themselves as being rich and, more importantly, will never be thought of as being rich. A study by the American Sailing Association compared the cost of sailing with another popular form of recreation in the Pacific Northwest: skiing. The results were surprising. Sailing lessons were actually cheaper than skiing lessons, and the average costs per day to continue were identical.

 

Myth #2: I don't have time to learn.
Poppycock! To say that you don't have time is, of course, an excuse, not a reason. We structure our basic sailing classes so a student will be able to sail a boat by the end of the course. The courses vary in length, naturally, and each individual will learn at his or her own pace. You should plan, though, on 10 to 20 hours of lessons before you begin to feel comfortable enough to venture out on your own. We also structure lessons to fit into your personal schedule, if that is your time concern. We offer classes on weekends and evenings, as well as on weekdays.

 

Myth #3: Since I don't own a boat, I won't be able to continue once I learn.
Wrong, again. This myth seems to stem from the out-dated notion that you must own a boat to sail. We also offer memberships in our sailing clubs or have bareboat charter options. Many charter companies will honor a sailing school certificate, thereby allowing you to venture out on the water on a bareboat charter. In most cases, the local sailing schools also honor the sailing instruction of their competition. Once you pass the required courses of our school, other schools, clubs or charter companies will allow you to join in their sailing activities.

 

Myth #4: It’s too hard to learn how to sail.
It's no more difficult to learn how to sail than it is to learn how to type, and it may, in fact, be easier. Like with many new endeavors, you can reach a minimum level of competency in just a few hours of instruction, and then spend the rest of your life mastering the intricacies of the sport. Sailing requires no more athletic ability or dexterity than most things you do in daily life.

 

Myth #5: Sailing is dangerous.
The most common fear is, that the boat will capsize. In sailing dinghies, this is particularly true. In larger keelboats it's very, very rare. Solid seamanship and good sailing techniques will minimize the risks. Admittedly, sailing has a certain amount of inherent risk, but not nearly as much as skiing or backyard football. Actually, crossing the street will put you in greater danger than you'll probably see out on the water. The myths about sailing have prevented many interested people from enjoying the beauty and wonder of a graceful boat silently gliding through the water. While all myths develop from a kernel of fact, today, they are often outdated in image and perception. The only valid reason for not learning how to sail is that you don't want to learn to sail.

Otherwise, go for it!

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