How to Steer a Sailboard

Sailing the seven seas is one of the most idealized and widely used examples of the ultimate form of leisure. Whether you want to sail for excitement or relaxation, you've got to learn the basics before setting out. You will soon find that sailing, even on a small lake, can be an incredibly fun, challenging and rewarding experience. Once you get to know your boat, gather together some friends, make a picnic and put on your captain's hat and get ready to go.

Instructions

    • 1

      Familiarize yourself with the parts of the boat. Not only is this important for your safety, but knowing your way around will make for much "smoother sailing."

    • 2

      Check whether your boat has a tiller or a wheel controlling the rudder. The rudder is the part underneath the boat that moves the water in order to direct it. Smaller boats (under 30 feet) generally have a tiller, which looks like a long stick, while larger boats tend to have a wheel. If your boat has a wheel, steering works just like in a car, where the boat moves in the direction you are steering. However, if your boat has a tiller, you will need to steer the tiller in the opposite direction of where you want to go.

    • 3

      Know where to sit on your boat. In most cases, you will need to sit on the side that the wind blows on, in order to counteract the force exerted upon the sails.

    • 4

      Use the wind to help you along. Adjust your sails against the force of the wind. Once the boat is balanced, you can either loosen the mainsail slightly to go downwind, or tighten it to go upwind. Continue using the tiller or wheel to adjust the boat's direction.