what's the very first thing to do?

[skinjohn]

for an ABSOLUTE beginner...who's been on ski boats for years, but was a guest on a sailboat only once...

what is the very first step to sailing? what little boat do i rent for the first try on my own?

[TrueBlue]

Around these parts, I think many sailors started out on fun, but wet boats, such as Sunfish and Lasers. Graduating to the next level will then become easier.

[SailinJay]

The very first step might be to get some type of instruction, either from a person who already knows how to sail or through an ASA beginner course. If you have no idea what to do, even on a very small boat, you can get very frustrated and you will get very wet. If you have some sense of wind direction and its affect on the sails, you could give it a go on your own.

[chuck5499]

skinjohn -- welcome to the great world of sailing -- you may find that it is for you or not. Not sure where you are located but to find out if you really like sailing try taking the ASA (american sailing association) 101 sailing class. it is 2 days and really gives you the basics of sailing. If you like that go out with a friend or two and then take 2 more classes from asa and then you can bareboat charter --
I did not start small - i was 55 when i took up sailing and took the courses and chartered and then bought a 40' boat.
good luck and welcome to greatest time on earth
chuck and soulmates

[sailingdog]

It might be worth crewing first for a while, until you start to get a feel for the sport and that way you have some more knowledgeable people around to ask the typical newbie questions. I'd also recommend getting a good basic Learn to Sail book, like Seidman's The Complete Sailor.

I would also recommend the ASA 101 course after getting some time in on the water and reading a bit in a basic book.

[duffer1960]

Get a Sunfish and get wet! That's probably the best way.
About the only thing to remember is you can't sail directly into the wind, only on about a 45 degree angle into it. If you are at point A, and want to sail to point B, and point B is directly into the wind, then you have to tack to get there. No, not stick a nail through your toe so you don't fall out when the boat heels (leans over), but sail a zig-zag coarse toward point B with each leg of your course almost 45 degrees into the wind.
That's it! Now go out and buy a Sunfish and a good PFD (lifejacket) and go mess around, get wet, tip over (they are VERY easy to right back up), and have a blast! What I always tell people is, about the worst thing that can happen if you tip over a Sunfish is you will get wet.
That's how I learned, no formal sailing classes, and I now sail a 38 footer.

[sailingdog]

BTW, if you're going to go learn on a dinghy, get a good foam PFD, rather than an inflatable. The inflatables are usually more comfortable, but most will trigger rather unexpectedly on a dinghy.

[Jeff_H]

I would say that there isn't just one good way to start, but many. For some, the answer is get and read through a good book on sailing (I usually recommend "Basic Keelboat" which is US Sailings manual, and "Sailing for Dummies" by by JJ and Peter Isler which is actually the more thorough of the two), sail a couple times with friends and don't be afraid to ask questions. And then either rent or buy a small boat and sail the living daylights out of it.

If you are reasonably agile, and can sail on reasonably protected waters with reasonably reliable winds, then I would suggest that you look for a small dinghy, ideally one that is popular in your area and perhaps a bit more modern than a sailfish so that you won't out grow it too soon.

If you are not all that agile, or you are not sailing on a protected body of water with reliable winds, then I suggest that you try to buy a used, 22 to 28 foot, fin keel, spade rudder, moderately light weight sloop which should be responsive enough for you to develop boat handling and sail trimming skills.

You may only own this boat for a short time so try to buy one that is in reasonably good shape, but not perfect, and that is common in your area.

As you start spending time on the water, you will start to develop some skills and a whole lot of questions. Continue reading and asking questions.

Now then, there are people who who have trouble learning something that is as complex as sailing. Having taught a lot of people to sail in my life, there is something about having a few lessons to help walk you through the basics. Having spoken to a number of people who have taken both the ASA and the US Sailing courses, it would appear that the US Sailing courses are a bit more detailed. For some that meant information overload and for others it meant a better value for the dollar.

However, you get your 'fundamentals' there is nothing like simply getting out there and doing to build skills.

If you are not in a position to actually own a boat, then I suggest that perhaps try to get aboard a race boat. Racing crews rarely have a lot of time to teach you what to do during a manuever, but you can probably a position as a grinder and rail meat, which will give you a chance to watch things first hand and ask questions between tacks and jibes. Just eb aware that when people are quiet they may be concentrating on wind patterns or the competition, and ask "Is this an okay time to ask a question? before blurting out what is on your mind.

Good Luck,
Jeff

[Rabnet]

If you are near an area that has a community sailing center they usually have great beginner programs and boats to learn on as well.

[hellosailor]

First step is probably an ASA-member sailing school or an indy with an equally good reputation. Reading can be good, or frustrating because sailing is very much a physical experience with feedback to the whole body, it doesn't translate into books or computer simulator games very well.

Odds are the classes will give you some books to read that match the course material and integrate it nicely, and it is always easier to learn the right way, rather than UNlearn what you've picked up, and then learn to do it right.