There are myriad uses for a sailboat, both for pleasure and economic gain. And like most highly developed pursuits, there is a specialized vocabulary that can seem like an impenetrable wall to the curious. This is the first in a series of guides intended to help you decide if you want to know more about sailing and how to get started.

Why even think about a sailboat? There are so many other water sports and you may believe that “going slowly at great expense” is just daft. The slow part can be correct, but the expense can be minimized to near zero (by crewing on someone else’s boat). Sailing’s enduring draw is understanding and harnessing the forces of nature in a way that optimizes boat performance and safety. That basic ethic can be applied to day sailing a small boat, racing, coastal cruising and ocean crossings.