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Learn the Basics
with Saily.
New to sailing? Start with one small idea. Get to know the boat, make sense of the wind and arrive at your first lesson with better questions.
Start lesson 1 →
Your reading journey
0 of 15 readSaved in this browser only. A reading record, not a sailing qualification.
Begin: Parts of a sailing boat →Meet your boat
Three small lessons. One step closer to feeling at home on the water.
Parts of a sailing boat
Meet the main parts of a boat so your instructor’s explanations feel familiar, even before you step aboard.
Explore lesson →Port, starboard, bow and stern
Learn four direction words that keep everyone talking about the same part of the boat.
Explore lesson →Sails, sheets and halyards
Understand why ropes have different names, and how those names explain their jobs.
Explore lesson →Understand the wind
Three small lessons. One step closer to feeling at home on the water.
Where is the wind coming from?
Build wind awareness by separating the direction the wind comes from from the direction your boat is travelling.
Explore lesson →How a sailing boat moves
See how air, sails and the underwater parts work together to move a boat.
Explore lesson →Understanding points of sail
Learn to describe a sailing direction relative to the wind, then explore our interactive diagram.
Explore lesson →Control the boat
Three small lessons. One step closer to feeling at home on the water.
Steering with a tiller or wheel
Understand the basic steering controls before practising small, supervised changes of direction.
Explore lesson →Tacking versus gybing
Recognise the difference between two turns without confusing an explanation with practical training.
Explore lesson →Sail trim: easing and pulling in
Learn what trimming means and why pulling a sail in harder is not always the answer.
Explore lesson →Learn the language
Three small lessons. One step closer to feeling at home on the water.
Ten sailing instructions you will hear
Translate common onboard words into plain English, and know when to ask for clarification.
Explore lesson →Three useful beginner knots
Meet three common ropework tasks and learn why choosing the right knot matters as much as tying it.
Explore lesson →Why sailing boats heel
Understand the leaning motion that surprises many first-time sailors, without assuming every boat behaves alike.
Explore lesson →Get ready to sail
Three small lessons. One step closer to feeling at home on the water.
Moving safely around a boat
Recognise common movement hazards and the questions to ask before stepping aboard.
Explore lesson →What a pre-departure briefing covers
Know what to listen for before sailing, and speak up if a key part of the briefing is unclear.
Explore lesson →Being a helpful crew member
You do not need years of experience to contribute. Start with listening, clear communication and awareness.
Explore lesson →