Guide 01
How to sail: your first sail
Learn the parts of a sailing boat, how wind moves the boat, and how to steer. Then practise in the free SailPolars sailing simulator.
Read guideLearn to sail
Sailing guides
Understand one idea. Try it in the matching lesson. Repeat it in new conditions.
Start with boat handling. Then study speed, wind and racing. Each guide uses short sentences and defined sailing terms. The practice links open the same topics taught in the sailing school and guided lessons.
Guide 02
Points of sail and the no-go zone
Understand close-hauled sailing, beam reaches, broad reaches, runs and the no-go zone. Learn to choose an angle that keeps the sail working.
Read guideGuide 03
Tacking and gybing: when to turn
Learn the difference between a tack and a gybe. Plan turns with room to recover speed, and practise reaching an upwind or downwind target.
Read guideGuide 04
Sail choice, easing and spinnakers
Learn when to ease a sail and when to hoist or drop a spinnaker. Practise sail changes on the J/70 before a leeward mark rounding.
Read guideGuide 05
Velocity made good: speed versus progress
Understand sailing VMG, true wind and apparent wind. Compare boat speed with useful upwind or downwind progress in the instruments lesson.
Read guideGuide 06
Wind shifts: lifts, headers and tack cost
Learn to recognise a lift and a header. Decide when a lasting wind shift can repay the speed and distance lost during a tack.
Read guideGuide 07
Wind pressure, gusts and lulls
Read stronger wind and lulls, compare a detour with its gain, and control load. Practise downwind gusts and stronger wind in guided lessons.
Read guideGuide 08
Choose a side: shifts, pressure and current
Compare oscillating wind, a continuing shift and stronger wind on one side. Build a course plan from observations and revise it as conditions change.
Read guideGuide 09
Sailing race starts: distance, speed and time
Plan a sailing race start with a clear lane, useful speed and correct timing. Learn the SailPolars countdown and how to recover from an early start.
Read guideGuide 10
Race courses, laylines, marks and gates
Learn how to follow a sailing course, approach a layline, round a mark and choose a gate end. Prepare the next leg before the turn.
Read guideGuide 11
Sailing racing rules: keep clear and give room
Understand port and starboard, windward and leeward, clear ahead and mark-room. Practise common encounters and learn the limits of game rules.
Read guideGuide 12
Sailing race scoring, series and team events
Understand low-point sailing scores, event instructions, team racing and race reviews. Prepare for SailPolars cups with the matching school lessons.
Read guideThese guides explain sailing ideas and game practice. For sailing on the water, learn practical skills with a qualified instructor. For real racing, use the current Racing Rules of Sailing and your event instructions.