Question: I want to learn how to sail; what course should I take?
So I want to learn how to sail and plan to take lessons on it. However, I see a couple of options. I can take the introductory courses that’s 3 hours and costs $ 119. Or I can take the longer, 18 hour dinghy sailing course that’s about $ 235 and I’ll get certification.

Well, it seems like I answered my own question. It seems like the dinghy sailing course is the better value. But it doesn’t hurt to have a second opinion.

Which path should I take?
sailing courses

Best answer:

Answer by leftwing24
You are correct for several reasons: The dinghy course is not just the better value in dollars: you will learn significantly more in a course that runs over several days. Also, the certification test will ensure that you know what you need to know in order to competently and safely sail the boat. This translates into “fun”, since it is no fun to get stuck (or worse, hurt) because you didn’t know that one bit of information.

Don’t expect the class to make you an expert sailor; the only way to get better is to get experience out on the water. I assume that, since you are taking the dinghy course, that you are lake sailing, or sailing in very protected coastal water. What kind of boat do you have (or are planning to get)? I can tell you this: the bigger the boat, the easier it is to sail. Bigger boats are (in general) heavier, and everything happens more slowly. However, if you learn to sail on a small boat, you WILL learn faster, and you be a better sailor for it.

I can highly recommend “Sailing for Dummies” as an additional resource to your sailing class. I used it to teach myself how to sail on one of the smallest dinghies made (see the link below). I ended up taking formal classes for larger boats, getting several certifications along the way (basic keelboat, coastal cruising, coastal navigation).

If you plan to do a lot of sailing, or plan to “graduate” to larger boats, I encourage you to take additional classes; there is only so much you can teach yourself, or learn from books. Having said that, read as much information as you can get your hands on, both on sailing in general and on your particular boat specifically. There are user/owner groups for just about every boat ever made, and the collective experience of their sailors is something you can’t learn in a class.

Good luck and fair winds,

Frank