A Brief History of Sailing

No matter if you’re fishing or soaking up the sun, a day out on the water in a sailboat can be one of the most relaxing things you can do during the spring, summer or fall. Boaters are a special breed of people, which is why you’ll find them cutting through lakes, rivers and oceans as soon as favorable weather arrives. If you’re new to this hobby, you should first learn a bit about how humanity got to today’s modern sailing vessels. Before you go searching the internet for “boat charters near me,” here’s a brief history of this popular sport.

Ancient Times

It’s unknown when the first sailing vessels took to the water, but the earliest depictions of sails date to 5,500 BCE in ancient Kuwait. When the Ancient Greeks went to war against Troy, they assembled an armada of more than 1,000 ships. These primitive sailboats were square riggers, which employed square-shaped sails that were fixed in one position. While this provided a boost over oar-powered boats, you could only travel in the direction of the wind, which means sailors were not yet able to throw their oars into the drink.

Viking Longships

While early sailboats were little more than rafts or canoes rigged with sails, the Vikings designed vessels for long-haul trips. The classic Viking longships were clinker-built, which means they featured construction made from overlapping planks attached to frames with rivets. The enhanced strength made it possible for explorers such as Leif Erikson to reach North America and other far-flung destinations centuries before the birth of Christopher Columbus.

Spanish Galleons

With the discovery of gold and other resources in the New World, Spanish sailors needed a new type of vessel to deliver the spoils of exploration back to Spain. Giant multi-masted galleons used massive sails that required a lot of manpower to raise and lower them with thick ropes. This type of ship was in use by explorers such as Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo when he was first sailing San Diego County’s present-day coastline. These seafaring vessels gave way to the tall ships that fought pirates in the Caribbean and established blockades during the American Revolution and Civil War.

Sailing for Sport

Once steam-powered ships hit the scene, sailboats were no longer the most efficient way to travel or transport cargo. Rather than face the extinction of this ancient art, enthusiasts kept the spirit of sailing alive by competing in races such as the America’s Cup. No matter if they’re heading out on the water for recreation or competition, today’s sailors man the helms of a wide variety of vessels:
• Catamarans
• Cutters
• Sloops
• Ketches
• Yawls
• Gaffers
• Schooners
• Trimarans

Get Out on the Water Today

Now you know more about the evolution of sailing, you’re ready to join a world-wide fraternity of enthusiasts who harness the power of the wind. No matter if you’re looking for the best whale watching San Diego has to offer or you’d just like to get the breeze in your hair, turn to a quality charter boat company to arrange an adventure that’s appropriate for your level of sailing experience.

*This is a collaborated post