Sailing is very different than power boating. Sailboats handle differently, have more parts and require much greater training to master than a powerboat.

All sailboats have five basic components.

• Hull - supports rigging (mast, spars, etc.).
• Mast – supports the sails.
• Sail(s) – catches the wind and provides force to move the boat.
• Keel or centerboard – stablizes the hull.
• Rudder – used to steer the hull.

The force the wind transfers to the sails actually makes the sailboat move forward – for much the same reason a plane flies.  The air moving across the sails creates lift.

The keel or centerboard keeps the boat from being pushed sideways by the wind. The resistance from the hull and the keel transfers the lift to forward motion. Sailboats don’t just move forward on a straight line, they also move slightly sideways (leeway).