How To Learn To Sail For Free? Practice Sailing Without A Boat
Sailing is a practical activity and teaching yourself how to sail for free is not impossible. Furthermore, learning how to sail by yourself has its’ advantages. In fact, it is probably the best starting point on your path to learning how to sail.
You will not pay fees and maintenance for a hobby that you are just getting into.
There are many sailing matters that you should know at some point. You don’t have to know everything about sailing at first. You just have to know what you need to get started. In the beginning learn how to sail for free, then decide what’s next.
You can learn everything you need to know about sailing for free online. But at some point, you must have some hands-on experience if you are serious about learning how to sail.
I will show you several free ways to get some sailing experience later on.
Without further ado let’s get started. You will learn: How do you teach yourself to sail for free & without owning a boat? What to learn? How you can practice sailing without owning a boat?.
Take Free Online Basic Courses First
The first thing you should do before anything else is to have an overview of what sailing is and how it works. And about your sailing approach, will you be a seasonal or full-time sailor.
You don’t have to decide at this point yet. But it’s a good way to have a general idea of what is lying ahead, and whether you like this sport (or lifestyle) or not.
Learning the basics of how to sail a boat is neither difficult nor complicated.
I have collected several free sailing courses for you to watch and learn how to sail for free. Watch them in the same order. And keep reading on for a complete overview
1- This is an introduction to sailing – 7 minutes video.
2- This is a simplified guide to learning how to sail for free – easy steps in 25 minutes.
3- You can level up with this 17 minutes video.
4- In this enjoyable 9 minutes video, you will learn a few things about the physics of sailing.
5- How to dock a sailboat and depart a dock – 6 minutes video.
6- How to anchor a sailboat – 10 minutes video.
Learning how to sail and operating a sailboat is a fraction of the whole sailing activity. There is so much to learn besides how to sail a boat. Especially if you plan to buy or live on a sailing boat.
There are several matters that are core related to sailing that can be learned first online for free. You can learn about the different types of sailboats, sailboat laws, sailboat parts, maintenance, and educate yourself about the weather. Still, there is more.
Here I have other important posts that you will definitely find useful.
- One of the most important things every sailor should know is Boater Fatigue. You can find out everything you need in this post.
- Understanding sailboat keels and how it works is also an important topic.
- Understanding why sailboat heel is another useful topic to learn about.
- There are also solo sailing tips that will be useful for every sailor too.
- Knowing how to make your sailboat faster is another good topic to learn.
Now you have formed a basic sailing concept, how it works, and the terms you need to know. Because sailing is a more practical activity than it is theoretical.
All you need to do now is get some practical experience to hone your skills. and you can do it for free.
Practice Sailing Without Owning A Boat
You can watch and read everything you find online but nothing will replace actual practice. Getting some hands-on experience is much more valuable than anything else.
I’ll show you some of what you can do to practice sailing for free.
Check your local area for sailing races. (Regatta)
Check your local and nearby areas for racing activities and when. Usually every week or so, during the sailing season. Dress in properly and go to your marina or sailing club (wherever it is), show up early before the start, and offer your free help.
Sailboats need hands to run them. Often these racers find themselves in a short-handed situation or just in need of more weights, known as “Deckmeat” (Weight on the deck to make the boat go faster and counter the heeling).
This is a free and excellent way to get involved in the sailing activity. Be honest about how much knowledge and experience you have about sailing, and you will find the captain who needs you and will find the right place for you.
Be genuine, excited and everyone will be considering having you on board. And if you are a quick learner and energetic enough, you may win a permanent seat with the team on your first try.
Contact local yacht – sailing clubs, and docks.
Contact local yacht-sailing clubs, and marina, explain what you need, be honest, and genuine about your sailing experience, and offer your free help.
Most sailors need a crew. Not all of them are willing to sail single-handed. In this situation, they will look for a crew and they will ask the dockmaster, or in the club.
If you had contacted the clubs and docks and left your contacts with them, you may have a good chance to get the experience you want.
Join Local Sailing MeetUp groups
Go to meetup.com and join local sailing groups and meet other local sailors around you to share stories, ideas, events and organize trips.
Explain what you need, be honest about your sailing experience, and offer your free help. This would be a good start to getting into sailing and learning from the experts. It’s free to join.
Check out crew wanted websites’
There are plenty of these websites that can help you get some sailing experience.
- findacrew.net
- oceancrewlink.com
- crewseekers.net
- crewbay.com
Racing sailors are desperate to find a reliable crew all the time. Recreational boaters also sometimes just want people to go sailing with and socialize. With a bit of patience, you will get recruited.
Join yacht – sailing club
Joining a yachting or sailing club is not always free, but you can explain your needs and come to an agreement that everyone likes. Because clubs are always looking for volunteers and offer free training to people eager to help.
There are many options available to suit your experience, from inexperienced to high all the way up. This is a great way to build relationships with boat owners, instructors, and sailors.
Which will give you the opportunity to learn and gain experience from professionals and experienced sailors.
Regardless of the reputation of the yacht-sailing clubs, they are quite welcoming and desperate for new members all the time. Moreover, club members cannot find people to go sailing with. Like many other sailors.
It’s a golden opportunity that enables you to get into sailing cheaply.
Hang out on the docks
Dress up and hang out on the docks, try to talk to people politely, and offer help if you see someone needs it. Seek to communicate with people naturally, and build good relationships. And maybe someone will invite you to join them on a sailing trip.
These are in my opinion the best ways to learn and to practice sailing for free. You can also join Facebook sailing groups or Instagram pages and socialize, but I believe it will take longer to get some opportunities.
It’s worth logging your sailing hours because they will support you. If you like it and want to go to the next level or make it a career.
Final Thoughts
There is a huge difference between understanding how something works and having the actual experience of doing it. Knowing how sailing works is essential, but practicing it is where you’ll fully understand it.
If you follow these instructions, I am sure you will reach a stage of more than just a beginner in a very short time.
But still, there is so much to be learned. You can enhance your arsenal by learning about various topics such as the point of sail, sail trimming, navigation, cleaning, sealing, repairing, emergency procedures, and sea survival. Then practice it.
Go back to and watch the video again and start taking notes. Bookmark this post for quick reference whenever you need it. Be inspiring and share this post with others.
I hope this post was helpful and that you learned something new.
