Learn How to Sail - Buying Your First Sailing Yacht



Posted: Tuesday, July 07, 2009

by Clive Peterson
http://www.learntosailnow.com

Buying Your First Sailing Boat and Equipment

After watching the Olympics on TV and, if you're British at least, revelling in the four gold medals that were won, your burst of enthusiasm may make you desperate to get out there and buy your first boat. However, although this is an exciting time for anyone who is learning to sail, it can soon turn into a nightmare if you don't first think through a few basic rules. This article will give you some idea as to what you need to consider before buying.

The best initial piece of advice is to buy a second-hand boat. Sailing boats can be expensive things and, even though you may have your heart set on a brand new boat, it is worth considering buying something slightly cheaper to start with. A well cared-for boat will last for years, and there is nothing to lose from getting a good quality second-hander. As a beginner, you are also more likely to make mistakes and damage the boat, and you could therefore look at this as a practice boat to start you off.

However, if buying a second-hand boat, make sure that it is of a good quality. One of the first things to check for is the quality of the sails. These are very expensive to replace if they break, and so it's well worth checking that yours will not fall apart within a few months. Make sure that they are kept neatly rolled or folded away into a bag rather than stuffed into it. If they are not, there's a good chance they haven't been looked after well, and you should consider looking somewhere else. Also take the sails out completely and check them over for small tears and rips, as these could pose bigger problems in the future.

You also have to consider how much you want to spend. It's not really worth spending a lot of money on an expensive boat that you will only use once or twice a year. However, if you will be using it a few times a week then you will want to spend more money on it to get a better sailing experience.

You should also think about who you will be sailing with before you buy a boat. This is important because if you will be sailing by yourself then you will need a single-hander boat, which will allow you to go sailing whenever you want to. However, if you have a friend who wants to go sailing as much as you do, it would be worth buying a two hander, allowing you to split the costs.

You may already have bought some gear whilst you were learning to sail, but if not, and you are planning to sail in cold conditions, then you will need to get yourself a wet or a dry suit, some good gloves, a pair of sailing boots, a windproof jacket and some waterproof trousers. And whatever conditions you sail in, remember to always wear a buoyancy aid. Happy Sailing

Clive Peterson

www.learntosailnow.com

Copyright: Learntosailnow.com

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