Learn How to Sail: A Step-by-Step Guide to SAILING

Join me on a comprehensive sailing lesson. I teach you the basics you need to know to begin sailing, from vocabulary and parts of the boat to getting underway and understanding sailing maneuvers.

Boat: 1980 Capri 25

Cameras:
Panasonic G85
GoPro Hero 5
Audio: RØDE VideoMicro (on camera); GoPro crappy onboard mic; and Zoom H1 (voiceover)
Drone: DJI Mavic Pro
Edited on Final Cut Pro X

Thanks for watching!

Grab some of the gear I use here:

Instagram: @MeJoshPost

[davidkless]

The greatest video on how to sail on Youtube. Subscribed! Thank you sir!! I've been sailing a dozen or so times with a mad captain that's not the best at explaining things. I just do what I'm told and live in constant fear, but he mixes good rum & coke drinks for me. I don't know why he puts me up at foredeck I just end up grenading that area.

[davidchristensen]

This might sound crazy but the sea is calling me. I've never been sailing and can't stop thinking about it.

[samuelcrn]

I'm a Brazilian sailor with 33 years of experience and I need to say that this was the best video with the walkthrough I've ever seen, especially for the vocabulary, which in my opinion is the hardest part. Surely this video will help change the idea that sailing is hard. Thanks for sharing. Good winds.

[bdtrap]

Dood. You just taught 80% of ASA101 in less than 30 minutes! Very nicely done, sir!

[Ramansdos]

I can absolutely understand the attraction in this. As someone who has never even been on a boat before, I'm genuinely getting the sense I've been missing out on something both unique and peaceful. Great presentation.

[dsbennett]

They call it a "boom" because of how it sounds when it hits you in the head.

[FarmWife]

61 year old Grandma here. This has always been a mystery to me. You make it make sense! I wish I could turn back the clock a bit and try my hand at this. I do hope to get out on a sailboat some day (with someone else doing the work LOL) just to experience it firsthand! Thank you!

[HappysDaysailer]

This was THE best explained sailing video I have seen. I have been sailing for about 10 years and still learned something.

[patines]

I have never been sailing and doubt if I will ever get a chance to do so. (I am 76). I often wondered how sail boats and ships can go in almost any direction regardless of the wind direction. After and while watching Vickings and The Last Kingdom, I just had to become more knowledgeable about sailing. I believe this is an excellent video on the basic of sailing.
Thank you so much!
Nando

[jonyboy]

I've literally never learnt so much in 25 minutes my whole life - Great beginners guide to some basics. Thank you.

[jaimepaiva]

When i started to feel a sudden real interest on sailing after watching some other cruising channels - around 9 months ago - this was the first instructional video i saw, first just out of curiosity, in order to have an idea of what i was getting into, and if it would be a feasible aspiration to someone with no experience like me. I was suprised on how simply you explained the whole theory, which i thought would be impossible to learn in adulthood, since most yachters grew with it since they were children. I was thrilled to discover through this video that i could easily learn it, and thus a crazy idea became an objective, thanks to watching this video. 9 months into it, i am now on my RYA skipper theory course, but also acquired a 28 foot sloop (Fellowship 28) this January, which became the healthiest decision of my life... so here’s what i have to say to you Josh: THANK YOU!
I should have left this comment longer ago. Today, while sending this video to a friend as an essential tutorial (in her case refreshment), i realised that i should have written this already months ago. Just so you know the impact of this tutorial on my life - and probably many others!

[BlueLineSpeed]

A (hopefully) Easy to remember summary;

Halyard = Any rope that lifts a sail (Main halyard = rope that lifts the main sail up the mast)
Sheet = Any rope horizontally that pulls sails for trim (Main Sheet = Pulls the main sail in and out)
Tack = The corner of a sail that connects to the boat
Clew = The corner of the sail that connects to the sheet
Head = The corner of the sail that connects to the halyard
Stay = Ensures the mast "Stay(s)" up. Fore stay (front of boat) and Back stay (Guess)...
Bow = Front of boat
Stern = Back of boat
Cockpit = The secure area with boat and sail controls
Deck = The flat walking surfaces outside of the cockpit
Beam = Side of boat (hence "wind abeam" is wind to the side of the boat)
Hull = The boats floating structure
Keel = Underwater vertical structure protruding from the hull. Can come in different shapes.
Rudder = Underwater vertical surface used to turn the boat
Block = Anything that turns a ropes direction
Cleat = Secures a rope in position

Port = Left Use phrase "There's no PORT LEFT in the bottle" also, Port (the fortified wine) is RED!
Starboard = Right (The other side) ;-)

Thanks for posting a clear and well made video on the subject!

[MHendersonwriter]

In just 25 minutes of watching this video Im now confident I can sail across the Pacific. More info here in 25 minutes than reading 10 sailing manuals. GREAT

[ottohartikainen]

Hi Josh,

Thank you for the clear instructions and encouraging approach "it's not that difficult". The video has made a difference...

This is what happened to me:
1) watched your video
2) started dreaming about sailing
3) bought a boat
4) started to learn sailing based on your advice
5) after two seasons still happy + learning more and more every time going out to the sea

I wish you all the best on your sailing trips.

Stay safe and take care!

Br,
Otto
"Rookie Captain from Finland"

[MyCoolman]

As a novice sailor who’s stupidly just bought a sail boat, that has helped me a great deal. 👍🏻

[XavierPil]

Man this is such a great and well explained video. You found the sweet spot between simplifying and still using the traditional vocabulary

[robsheldon]

Dude ! I sail . 30 foot Catalina. This is the most straight forward awesome sailing video Ive ever seen. Basic and true. I also go alone. Well frickin done. I am subscribing now !

[kurthanssen]

I'm and old Norwegian Sailor, But I'm taking a Green guy with Me, and I'm going to make him Watch your Video until he got it down path before we leave for the Caribbean. That was a Very good Video. Thank's.

[futuregenerationz]

This is fantastic! There's nothing like learning from someone who knows it well, but hasn't forgot what it's like not to know. Your presentation follows the natural progression. I, who have sailed a bit, just learned a ton. Thank you Josh!

[tWoforgamenot]

nice job kid . this old boy enjoy it 70 years i have sailed ! i Think You Did A Good Job Some Will Lear From This Cool ! :)