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!
Become a Patron and support the video-making process: / joshpost
Grab some of the gear I use here:
Sailing gloves: amzn.to/3exZIOK
GoPro Camera: amzn.to/3qF9voF
Snorkel set: amzn.to/38waxgn
Panasonic Camera: amzn.to/3tbgzv2
Samsung Tablet for Navigation: amzn.to/3qDUT8Q
Instagram: @MrJoshPost

[@davidkless9131]

The greatest video on how to sail on KZbin. 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.

[@JoshPostVlogs]

Jayne Cobb Awesome comment. Thanks! Enjoy the rum and coke, and happy sailing!

[@thehighpriestess8431]

Roger that. My husband send me a link to Mr. Josh Post's You Tube channel. Very grateful he posted these vids. :)

[@smileyo9764]

I guess because the head sail is easier to learn to handle, just keep the Sheet Ropes tidy and prepare before the tack...Jibes are easier as no heavy boom on the head sail unless you're using a Genoa or Spinerger pole jus dont get tangled in the sqil and wear a safety line in heavy weather to go onto the deck especially up front to the Bow or you may take a swim.

[@aandjwynn]

You lucky son of Gun!!

[@Ffsdevgj]

that sounds like god being mad

[@davidchristensen1643]

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

[@NZVZED]

David Christensen that’s where I’m at right now

[@stevejory9679]

The sea will become your mistress and every time she calls resistance is useless.

[@jamesdalecopeland2719]

Not crazy. I'm in the same boat... Pun intended.

[@tonytaakson3211]

A pirate looks at forty.. jimmy buffet, look it up. I turned 40 in November.. lived on Canadian border.. sold all my stuff and moved to tampa bay.. mother ocean is calling me also..

[@davidtylerjelkstison]

I wanted to sail for years. Trying to find the right boat. I finally bought a Hobie 16 for $1000 to learn on and I couldn’t be happier!!

[@samuelcrn3571]

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.

[@retiredtravazapper2827]

To aprendendo do zero hahaha

[@troubadourperegrinus]

I'd love to learn to sail and sail along the Brazilian coast. :) My wife loves Brazil. Sadly, she hates the sea. :( The existential paradoxes of life, I guess.

[@AngelDiamondSun]

💯

[@gorrgekazzahn7049]

I feel the same.Had only 3 % knowledge. This guy pushed it to 99 % in theory. He is good. Can you make a video of all the knots?

[@HappysDaysailer]

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

[@russranum2251]

😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@Ramansdo3s]

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.

[@latinaalma1947]

You are Micheal, there is nothing like it.

[@liltimmy2262]

It’s an amazing experience I haven’t been sailing for very long but I’ve really took to it and am so passionate it is honestly so fun especially in high wind although be careful of the boom in small boats that hurts

[@kevinmencer3782]

I feel the same way. I live in a desert state, but I feel like I'm meant to be sailing.

[@fakiirification]

what gets me going about sailing is the peace and tranqility, combined with the absolute freedom of not relying on man made and corporately provided fuel to get where im going. and of course the thrill of being at the mercy of mother nature and her renowned unpredictable moods. becalmed one minute, squal with 30 knot winds the next. never a dull moment.

[@dsbennett]

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

[@ctbaw9484]

Coming about...duck

[@elF3RCH0]

Lol, for real? It does make sense tho.

[@KingJellyfishII]

@@elF3RCH0 no idea if it is for real but I always thought this too

[@anouschkavella2949]

i've been hit with a boom 3 time in one year because when i had started i was very short so the boom didnt reach me, I quit for two year and then I went back but I didnt realise that I have grown taller and every time I was tacking I would get a hit of the boom

[@tungusbadungusdepardeux4757]

Ct baw be careful when you tack, boys

[@bdtrap]

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

[@obiwanfisher537]

Yeah, sailing schools hate him for this one easy trick!

[@TheDesertRat31]

@@obiwanfisher537 LOL

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

It's still useful to go to a sailing school and join a local sailing club. There is always something to learn, and learning is some classroom/book and mostly practical experience.

[@03patines]

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

[@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 VIDEO.....

[@jaimepaiva8847]

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!

[@windfal7]

I had been watching sailing and now this morning came across this video and this comment. I'm now on the search to take sailing lessons - God willing!

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

@@windfal7 A local sailing club is a great place to take lessons and get started sailing at minimal cost. It's much cheaper to use a club's boats than your own, to begin sailing.

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

@Jaime Paiva great story! Fair winds, mate.

[@bartykrajewski5123]

Just yesterday I passed my sailing exam and now I just waiting for the arrival of my license. 14 btw.

[@hanvyj2]

How's it going a year on?

[@jonyboy1968]

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

[@xavpil2]

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

[@eddiedpaulding550]

Thanks for taking the energy to share this experience. I would love to have your training lessons.

[@ottohartikainen4729]

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"

[@williamrgrant]

I'm at stage 2. Looking forward to the progression with my family :)

[@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!

[@renoguy25]

Thanks for this post . I have yet to ever sail , but learning what I can , should I get on the water someday . Regarding Port and Starboard , I found it a lot easier , ( after trying to learn that Port was the left side ) that starboard was a lot easier to figureout/remember , as pronouncing " Starboard " the letter R is strong , and of course ...R is for Right ...so for me Port = Left ( the other side ) But I guess the point is ...what ever works Had I heard " There's no Port Left in the bottle " , that would have made things easier . I find myself adapting Port and Starboard terminology to my van in everyday driving .

[@TheMorganMonroeShow]

BlueLineSpeed nice,,, thanks.

[@davidm1922]

Pretty good summary. A correction: they're lines when they have a specific purpose, not ropes (not sure why this guy keeps calling them ropes in the video). Referring to lines as ropes on a boat makes people sound like they don't know anything about boating. Another mnemonic: PORT = LEFT (four letters each).

[@TheVeteranFiles]

an easier mnemonic, a ship out to sea has LEFT PORT

[@feastures]

The 3 corners have been mentioned above. But the 3 sides of a sail also have names. 1. The vertical stretched side (on main against the mast): "luff". 2. The loose side (on main diagonally): "leech". 3. Bottom side: "foot".

[@funnelvortex7722]

Watched this over a year ago without knowing anything about sailing, bought my first boat, a 15' Chrysler Man o War dinghy, and needless to say I did learn a lot from this video and it lent well when I actually took it out.

[@lionlover1986]

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you for your wonderful explanations! Ive got boating down, but sailing specific terminology and methods have always been a gray area for me.

[@robsheldon7194]

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 !

[@JoshPostVlogs]

Thanks, Rob, for this great comment!

[@tcp102008]

@@JoshPostVlogs Thank you for taking a lot of your times to make this video for 360,223 viewers as of today. I have done boating for a couple years and now seeing your sailing tutorial video I am so interested in saling a sailboat. This video is a great encouragement for me to go sailing someday.

[@eeeeadad4012]

Rob Sheldon I sail a piper o.d class 24ft racing/daysailing keelboat and I know what I’m doing but I watched this video for no reason and this is just exactly the same except this boat has an inside on a piper there’s no inside apart from a deep cockpit with space upfront and back for racing sails and repair kits for the bilge pump because they break all the time but it’s expected from a 53yo boat being the first built aswell they’re all a little different no.1 being stormpiper(mine) no.2 being Peter Piper(my friends dads) and 57 others sorry if this didn’t make sense I’m 13 and have just got onto summer break and my brain is resting

[@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!

[@williamelica4522]

Can you assist me please supposedly your.course 90 °east the course of the wind is 225 °west mean totally facing the wind what do i to go forward which I'm facing the wind please assist me for this situation please

[@futuregenerationz]

@@williamelica4522 You're asking me? I'd say tack 135 degrees close hauled and eventually come about and head north.

[@pointsonthecurve8098]

Thank you Josh, Subscribed and will watch em all~!

[@barrettprocellmaui]

Great video! Thank you for making this!

[@notwhereyouthink]

Basic but brilliant. From an old sea dog, you've saved a lot of people a lot of money and they should be very thankful.

[@zoolkhan]

we are

[@melissahawkes603]

I'm here for writing research for my fantasy novel, and let me tell you this is SO helpful!!

[@fitfirst4468]

eh, creep? He's married

[@lkkrv00rm3]

@@fitfirst4468 id get divorced for a wife like melissa

[@sachapecaric3046]

Always wanted to learn this! Excellent video! Thank you!

[@RemyHaynes]

That was an awesome refresher. Thank you!

[@kurthanssen2131]

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.

[@fhpurcell5364]

good luck to you two! and i know this is off topic but I've gotta say this every time i meet a Norwegian in the wild - your language is the most beautiful language I've ever heard and I'm doing my best to learn it :)

[@emilioortega9068]

This guy is so down to earth and such a great teacher, it’s a blessing to have these videos publicly available, thanks so much, I learned a lot more than just sailing from watching your videos! 🙏

[@ETTCHANNEL6623]

Yeah, these tutorials being free is a true blessng.

[@savage22bolt32]

If you benefit from watching, you could throw a few bucks his way via patreon.

[@manojshrestha9276]

Great guidance, thanks

[@joshuapons1891]

Epic video! Thanks Josh!!

[@Bdady74]

Great info! Thanks for posting!!

[@MyCoolman24]

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

[@whatsupbudbud]

Did you buy a new or used one? How much, if you don't mind me asking, for the boat and repairs before it's sailable? :)

[@SmashingPunkin95]

I’ve just bought a used 1971 Vivacity 20. Paid a bit more for it than I should but it came with everything for $2000 and I’d just stupidly fallen in love. Probably would have paid double once I saw that cabin and pictured the adventures we’d have. A newer outboard, sails, GPS. But needed a LOT of work. No doubt I will be into it for double what I paid for it before long. Bought new trailer tires, re-wired the trailer and am currently prepping the hull for new paint.

[@RemyISnow]

Gotta start somewhere

[@Cassie_Thirteen]

SAME me and my brother are fixing fiberglass blisters on the boat he got off of ebay for 870$ XD it doesn't have any ropes so we have to figure out where everything goes, and learn to sail in the next couple of days lmao good luck to you!

[@Sim0n383]

I'm about to do the same thing !

[@fobster09]

Bloody amazing mate. Much appreciated.

[@murdoc6842]

Great stuff! You make it look easy, thanks

[@amandaheshka5684]

You had me at “Is sailing difficult? Is sailing expensive? No” Great video.

[@snuggisthecute]

LOL same!! suddenly out of nowhere I may have a new hobby.

[@rabukan5842]

Thank you Josh! I've been a motor boater much of my life, have sailed in friend's boats sporadically for many years; but finally, after being in a yacht race last summer, I'm going through my sailing courses right now with the intent of sailing the seas when I retire in 5 or 6 years. This is the best video I've seen on the basics of sailing anywhere. You are a natural teacher - calm, explanative with an ability to take complex terminology and ideas and make them simple, and with a soft, yet enthusiastic inspirational tone - and I've been a teacher/professor since 1988. Well done! Much appreciation...

[@littlenel17]

rabukan 58 you motorboating son of a bitch you

[@njsarn]

Thanks immensely to you Josh. What a wonderful sailing introduction simply made easy to understand. Taking a formal class as you mentioned will be the next step.

[@oleran4569]

Thanks for posting this!

[@Kaisersozze]

I didn't have a clew until I watched this.

[@ilovewindex487]

Kaisersozze I see what you did there.

[@kelleynoiseux5940]

Funny

[@bdtrap]

Bahaha! Well-played, sir!

[@jacc88888]

Mast-erful pun! I nearly keeled over when I read it. Genoa nother one?

[@anubisplaying]

You didn't have a crew.

[@JWMCMLXXX]

Feel like a whole new world just opened up. Dunno why I thought this stuff was so unapproachable. Thanks man.

[@antiradiationsnowy1536]

You were at the no go zone, now you are at a close haul

[@jenniferjarvis1207]

This was fantastic! Subscribed for sure!

[@angelag2662]

Love this. Thanks! Love how u explaine port &starboard!

[@jomjom75]

Me: I really need to finish my work. I got lots of submittals! KZbin: Would you like to learn how to sail, kind Sir? Me: Well I don't mind if I do! *click

[@gabbyvg.9067]

OH MY FRICKN GOSH!!! You are so amazing. I've purchased books and studied and that wind, water and ice example just made me blush! I am looking to buy my 1st boat / home, a 1985 Hunter Wish me the best!! And thank you SO SO SO MUCH!!!

[@skillmeup53]

Thanks Josh, Much appreciated. Wonderful video.

[@d3w4yn3]

This was the refresher I needed!!! Thanks!!! Excellent video!!!

[@dianeswift]

This is the clearest explanation of sailing that I’ve ever seen. Thank you

[@JoshPostVlogs]

Many thanks!! ⛵

[@titustiger27]

the pinching the ice is a nice analogy Thank you for over dubbing the voice

[@robertcratchet1634]

Great video, thanks for posting!

[@27floater14]

Good job. Videos like this will grow the sport and the culture and allow more people to enjoy what sailors already know. It's a feeling like no other. Well done, Skipper.

[@ronaldpellet854]

Hear hear well said

[@Daniel-xu6kd]

Watching this while sleeping in my tiny sail boat..

[@fijifantastic]

Thank you so much Josh! You've really helped me understand how all this stuff works. You explain it so well. THANK YOU! Fair winds friend!

[@maureenriggs185]

Fabulous learning vid! Simple clear and precise. Thank you Josh. :)

[@tylercarder581]

Best explanation video. Needed this! Thank you

[@erzsebetbritt8332]

Thank you, your presentation makes me feel like I can do this!

[@rezaetemad591]

after two years still one of the best videos to watch in his field. thanks Josh!

[@crobrobin7162]

Great video on sailing!!! Thank you for this!

[@photomaker100]

Awesome that was Great! Thanks Josh exactly what I was looking for

[@koekoek575]

ready for my first Atlantic crossing peace of cake

[@halinabrooke6432]

This was brilliant! Perfect prep for taking my weekend sailing class next month. The vocabulary and physics were great and you explained things so well as you did them on the boat.

[@zoligalambos1088]

Thank you so much, that was super helpful and very simple to follow. Much appreciated.

[@williamlucas6978]

Great tutorial/introduction and terminology for sailing...just download -ed and shared with a friend keen on sailing and never been sailing. Great prep for my taking him aboard my Hunter 23 and showing him the "ropes" this next sailing season. Thanks for the video.

[@galloglass6176]

This is exactly what I've been looking for. Great video.

[@deniskeogh9234]

Thank you for the clear and concise explanation of it all. I've worked on boats, river running and commercial fishing, and have been curious about sailing for a long time. You've made sailing approachable and dispelled some fears, and filled in a whole lot of blanks on the basics for me. Excellent video!

[@edwardlegge843]

Nicely Done Josh. What a great video! Clear, concise and hugely helpful. Keep them coming👌

[@anastasiasavinova5288]

So interersting! Thank you! I'm watching it before I start my sailing course in Greece.

[@pcos8337]

Beautifully presented...!!

[@DavidJohnson-og8yh]

Thank you Josh. That was the best practical demonstration of sailing I have seen. So much more informative than any book. I am off on my competent crew course in a few weeks and just can't wait now

[@Thenarayanaclips]

Thank you so much man, for this wonderful and helpful video.

[@mister_aanderson]

Very helpful, thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@lenhoulker6492]

Josh, Your vlogs are fantastic! Well produced, sometimes funny, but always informative. Keep up the good work.

[@kathymatthews7011]

Hi Josh! This video was awesome! I just started racing and I really appreciate your video! It helped cement the terminology!

[@kltreco]

excellent video - great instruction. Thanks so much!

[@griggypop82]

What an excellent, succinct, description and an outstanding demonstration. Thank you so very much!

[@gonesailing]

Thanks so much, my first sailing lesson. I think I’m hooked and looking forward to learning more and getting out on the water. Fair winds.

[@julieterzoudis9320]

Really simplistically explained x thank you!

[@RonaldKaylorPhoto]

This was a GREAT View, this was well done and helped me! Thanks

[@geraldfrank1630]

Excellent! 👌👏👏

[@LuckyPlays]

You did an extremely good job with this video. I know how long this took, especially with all the post-audio and caption work that you did. Very very nice job -

[@JoshPostVlogs]

Best comment ever. Thanks!

[@randalcolvin1873]

yup, yup, yup!......very very nice job! i'm a twin screw captain thinking about sailing. this was good!

[@BDL090754]

Excellent video, well explained, Thank you.

[@chriskahlson]

Excellent thank you Josh !

[@sky3353]

Thanks for the lesson. Enjoyed watching and will pass on to newbies. Explained very well and easy to understand. Thanks. Liked and Subscribed.

[@dpLms]

The vocab makes more sense the second time around 😊

[@stringandreed]

Thank you so much for this concise instruction.

[@jeffreydonald5252]

thankyou. just what i needed.

[@marcgerges1380]

Hey Josh I just wanted to say thank you for giving me my first sailing lesson, for demystifying what it means to sail. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@bubbabobo2001]

Thank you, the best video I've seen yet!.I'm 62 and have always want to learn to ⛵ so I've purchased a 30ft fisher motorsailor here in New England and am going for it! so much to learn but I have a safe comfortable seaworthy vessel. thanks again very informative.

[@tomjanssen168]

Wow, an enjoyable and easy to understand guide ! Thank you Josh, you have rekindled my passion to get back on the water !!!

[@samdoughty6849]

That video was great, not over complicated and very informative. I really want to learn to sail and now going to get some lessons booked. Thanks for making this video.

[@carlitomoore]

I've just completed my RYA Competent Crew course with no prior experience of sailing, and this video explained more than my tutor did in 5 full days! Wish I had watched this before I went!

[@JoshPostVlogs]

Thank you for this great compliment! Good luck to you in your new sailing adventures!

[@amorris205]

Looks like an amazing hobby! Can’t wait to take some sailing lessons!

[@stogieyogi9373]

This was such a well made video. Everything was so clear and easy to follow. Thank you for making this available.

[@ktomarelli]

Learning to sail this summer in Duluth! Thank you for the videos!

[@PlanetSnooSnoo]

Fantastic. I’m heading out tomorrow morning for my first lesson on the water. It’s been a lot of theory and imagining so far, and this video helped put all the pieces in place. Also appreciate how you pointed out your mistakes - I’ll be watchful for the under steer and loose aft stay. Thank you!

[@raphaelgman9265]

I woke up this morning and out of the blue wanted to know how to sail, after this video I'm confident enough to try although I know I needs lots of experience. Thank you so much

[@skipperry63]

What a great video! You make it look easy!

[@arajoaina]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@mattlawhun8738]

Very informative and easy to follow. This is the first "sailing 101" video I have watched and I got the concepts down. You make this very easy to understand. Thank you.

[@bradleyabeyta2489]

Epic bro, really great and simple instruction, such a great energy, really appreciate the effort you put into this video, I am looking forward to getting on the water after watching this. What a man 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@adamandrews2528]

Thank you for posting a very informative video. Nice boat.

[@colin2383]

Really appreciate this excellent tuition video, Josh. It was excellent. Taking my first sailing lesson this summer.

[@corn5096]

Thank you so much for putting this together!! I know it's an older video, but obviously still soooo applicable. I've always wanted to learn to sail and really want to become a liveaboard to lessen my ecological footprint, so I will need to learnt to solo sail. I've been reading books in preparation for some sailing lessons, but I'm such a visual person (and someone who likes to be as prepared as possible before trying something), that I really needed this exact video to put it all together. Excited to check out the rest of your channel!!