Learning to sail can be a serious challenge. It's the bedrock of world exploration that offers sailors an attuned sense of nature and its power. So, whether you're looking for a new family hobby or ticking off a sailor bucket list, there are many benefits to sailing. If you've just taken up the hobby or want to purchase your first boat, there are countless routes to take. You can lease and learn to sail or take the plunge with a new or second-hand boat purchase. A starter boat needs to teach the essentials without compromising on the bigger picture.
So, from sailing dinghies to racing yachts, this guide will help you take your first sailing steps. We'll look at the best sailboats for beginners and features to look out for.
It is relatively easy to learn how to sail a boat in the right environment.
What size sailboat is good for a beginner?
While you might think that the smaller the vessel, the more beginner-friendly, that isn't the complete story. Sure, the smaller and lighter the boat, the simpler it is to control, but you also have to look at other aspects like handling. This includes all aspects of the rigging. Handling is just as important as a boat's size. That's what makes a basic sailing dinghy, for example, so useful for beginners. As your skills improve, you may look to update your boat for a more advanced model. For now, we'll look at what makes a boat easy to sail so you can make your first choice with confidence.
What sailboat features should I look for?
You can learn to sail on any vessel with sails. However, some boats are better teachers simply because they react quickly to your actions onboard. Small boats, in general, tend to be more reactive as they are immediately affected by commands on the tiller, wheel and sails, as well as the wind and crew weight. Immediacy is important for beginners as it gives you the intuition required when starting without throwing you in the deep end. The fewer hands required to handle things, the better for first-timers.
There are plenty of recommended beginner boats advocated by local yacht clubs, societies and courses. These cover classics like the child-friendly Optimist and modern high-tech sailboats with all the bells and whistles. Without talking about models, let's look at what makes a boat easy to sail.
Starting small
Small sailboats are far easier to manage. If you are a complete beginner, they make the perfect teachers. While a larger boat may provide more stability and comfort, it's far more tricky to control. If you have sailing experience already, it makes sense to increase the size of your boat to match your skillset. However, first-time learners need something small and manageable. It will also teach you the general jargon that comes with sailing culture, as well as the basic anatomy of your vessel.
Tiller steering
Tiller steering boats provide you with up-close knowledge of basic navigation principles. With no wheel or high-tech mechanics involved, the tiller connects directly to your rudder so that you can feel the immediacy of your actions on the boat. This instinct will become useful when you move up to wheel steering, which has more of a delay.
Tillers provide you with a hands-on experience of basic navigation principles.
Stable, sturdy build
A good starter boat is sturdy and strong. After all, beginners will make mistakes. It all comes with the process of learning. Opting for a boat that can deal with the bumps is a great choice. Rotationally moulded plastic, for instance, is hardy and functional. It's cheap and cheerful, making it ideal for a beginner. Save fibre-glass or wood finishes for further down the line.
Choose cleats
Most small sailboats come with cleats. These are far easier to handle than winches, making them a true asset for first-timers. Cleats will make handling sheets and halyards much easier and provide less force on sails or rigging.
Trailer sailer
These are sailboats that can be trailered from location to location. This is a real asset for beginners who shouldn't be wasting resources on a marina or storage. Ideally, these boats can be kept in your backyard or garage and taken out as needed. You'll also be able to take them for detailed training in specific conditions and locations.
Fewer sails
The less complex the rigging, the easier your boat will be to handle. Most newcomers learn the ropes with a single mast. You want something easy to rig with just one person. The choice is yours, but rudimentary single-mast sailboats with just a mainsail are a great way to learn the basics of handling before opting for a more advanced setup.
What is the easiest type of sailboat to sail?
We've seen what features are easier to handle for beginners, but what sailboats should you look for? Unfortunately, there is no single best starter boat as we all have different wants and needs. A sailboat is also a huge commitment with significant costs and upkeep. As such, a second-hand boat is always advised as a first purchase. Other than that, here are some types to consider when learning to sail.
Sailing dinghies
The archetypal small sailboat is a favourite for a reason. Perfect for single and two-person use, it utilises a single mast for simplicity and can often be trailered around. The compact size of sailing dinghies make them perfect for learning with a teacher, as well as reinforcing lessons on your own. They are cheap, light and less likely to capsize, making them the perfect beginner boats. You can also take them out on shallow waters - so they're versatile and nimble choices.
A sailing dinghies compact size makes it ideal for learning with a teacher or for reinforcing lessons on your own.Wayfarer
The Wayfarer is one of the world's most popular sailing dinghies. This stable dinghy consists of a Bermuda (triangular) rig with a main, jib and symmetrical spinnaker. A recommended option is the Hartley 16, one of the safest sailboats on the market.
Sunfish
The Sunfish is a small, personal-sized sailing dinghy of about 14ft that was first developed in the 1950s. Easy to sail, they consist of a mainsail with a flat deck to sit on. They are so ubiquitous that, despite being a brand name, Sunfish has come to refer to any board-style boat with a crab claw sail. More sailors have learnt the ropes on the Sunfish than any other type, so it's tried and tested!
Laser
Similar to a Sunfish, the Laser is a small, 1 to 2-person sailboat of 14ft that's widely used in racing. Complete with its own Olympic category, Lasers are a little more difficult to sail than Sunfish but are faster with more intuitive performance. Too much wind with improper control, however, and you may find yourself capsizing. While manageable for beginners, some basic experience is recommended with a Laser.
Sloop
With a single mast, mainsail and headsail, a small sloop is a great choice for beginners. Easily mastered with a single sailor in light windy conditions or 2 in more windy conditions, they are sturdy and easy to handle. They come in a wide variety of sizes and include popular favourites like the Catalina 16.5. This is one of the most beloved weekend sailboats with a simple setup and fibre-glass hull. The larger 24ft model comes with a cabin.
Catamaran
Catamarans are stable options that are great for beginners to learn to sail with. With two hulls yet a light build, they respond quickly to handling. Look for small 15 -16ft catamarans as a first-time sailor, like the lightweight Sprint 15 or Hobie 16.
Beginners can learn to sail with catamarans because they are stable and easy to manoeuvre.
Keelboat
Keelboats are among the largest in the small sailing boat category and are more stable and secure. They start at around 20ft, but you're more likely to see a 35ft-long keelboat like the J/105. The keel is fixed where smaller rudimentary sailboats tend to have removable centreboards. They are excellent boats to learn on as they're unlikely to capsize - but they have to be kept at a marina as trailering them is tricky.
How to pick a sailboat?
Hopefully, we've given you some useful food for thought on what to look for in sailboats for beginners. While you don't have to choose any of the aforementioned sailboat types, think about the guidance above for size, handling and steering. With that said, we still have some final takeaways to help you choose your next dinghy or keelboat.
For starters, choose a boat under 28ft. A small hull is more manageable for docking and navigation. Next, think about the price. A good starter sailboat should cost you no more than £10,000. It would be foolish to make an even larger investment on a beginner sailboat. With that said, only you know your must-haves, so isolate the features you want most and look for a boat that matches.
Welcome to the world of sailing
Taking up sailing is a lifetime dream for many. Take the plunge by booking yourself some lessons. While learning with experts is important, you'll also want time to yourself. That's what makes a smaller setup so important. While it's cheaper to invest in a sailboat than renting one out for every practice session, you'll still want some experience before buying your first sailboat. So, whether you're looking for dinghy cruising boats, recreational day trips or racing, you'll now know what to look for to choose the best sailboat for beginners.
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