While the thrill of taking to open waters and charting your own course is what draws many people to the act of sailing, there are numerous safety considerations which must be taken into account if your experience is to be a pleasant one.
Understanding the anatomy of a boat is a fundamental lesson for any budding sailor and can ensure smooth sailing when you take to the water.
Here we consider just why it is so important and provide useful tips for those learning to sail.
The anatomy of a boat is its general makeup or how it is put together. Understanding this will allow you to understand how a boat works and sails; something which will subsequently enable you to respond to different conditions when out on the water.
Yes. There are many different components on a boat and many different types of sailboat, so it’s important to brush up on terminology which relates to the vessel you intend to sail. Types of boat include sloops, catboats, cutters, schooners, ketches and yawls, while common nautical terms for components of sailboats include masts, spinnakers, rudders, mainsails, bows, hulls and jibs.
You can find a more comprehensive list of terms and their definitions at this instructional page on sailing published on WikiHow.
The simple reason for educating yourself on the anatomy of a boat is safety. By understanding how your boat is put together you can understand how it works and responds to waves and different conditions when out on the water.
This means that you’ll be able to respond to changing situations more quickly when sailing – something which could ultimately mean the difference between life and death.
It is widely reported that poor knowledge and understanding, both of boats and of the environments faced when sailing, contribute to a large number of boating accidents each year. According to figures from the USA, capsizing and falling overboard are the two most common accidents encountered by recreational boat users, with poor knowledge a primary cause of this according to the Coast Guard.
These accidents can have devastating consequences in some circumstances and highlight the dangers which inexperienced or novice sailors can face when out on the water. Understanding your boat will reduce these risks by ensuring you take the necessary precautions when out at sea – this means not overloading your boat, controlling the steering safely and maintaining a safe speed on the water.
That being said, it is also important to remember that all bodies of water can present a number of hazards and risks to sailors of all experience levels. Everyone taking to the water should be confident in their sailing knowledge and understanding of the boat’s anatomy, with even experienced sailors advised to take refresher courses to keep their knowledge topped up.
You can learn about the anatomy of boats on any number of sailing courses. Any practical course designed to equip you with sailing skills will cover specifics relating to the anatomy of the boats being used and help you understand how to sail them safely.
These courses are offered fairly regularly so you should be able to book yourself onto a suitable session without too much trouble.
You can find a list of practical sailing courses, such as the Competent Crew Course offered by go-n-sail in Spain and skipper courses, on our website. We also recommend you take a look at the theoretical courses which are on offer and can help you get your sailing knowledge up to scratch before going anywhere near the water.
Worth a read; How to Sail: The Ultimate Guide