new to boating

Are you new to boating and not sure what to do? You can find help by joining a boating club and becoming an active member at your local marina. Boat clubs give you a way to practice and learn your skill while gaining advice and wisdom from more experienced sailors.
Depending on the kind of boat you purchase, you may find a sailing club or jet boat association close by. Sailing clubs often offer racing opportunities, instruction and various regattas as well as offering mooring facilities.

There are many types of sailing vessels to choose from; Keelboats and yachts, dinghies and skiffs or catamarans, trimarans and sails. Deciding on which kind of boat will depend on the type of sailing experience you are looking for.
Ask yourself how long do you want to sail: a weekend or a month? What kind of waters will you be in? How many people will you carry onboard? All of these questions will help answer what kind of boat you will need. If you intend to only be out for a day, you won’t need as much alternate power as someone who will be sailing for a couple of weeks or longer.  
If you are interested in racing you’ll need to know what kind; Do you want to do a distance race or around buoys? Will you need to trailer the boat or just race on your local water?
These are the thoughts that will help you narrow in on the boat of your dreams and start you off for a lifetime of fun and adventure.