Your best bet is to go to Capt Neal's sailing for novices web page.
He is a sailor of unequaled brilliance in all things, especially those
nautical. If a mere fleck of his brilliance rubbed off on you, you'd be an
above average sailor. He is now on sabbatical, acting as a goodwill diplomat
spreading his wisdom and knowledge throughout the eastern mid Atlantic
region.



"Julia" wrote in message
m...
I have a question. How do you make a sailing boat go when the wind is
blowing sideways? I know that when the wind is blowing from the front
the boat can't go and that when it is blowing from the back it will
push you through the water. But when the wind is coming from your
side what keeps the wind from blowing you sideways?

I am interested in learning to sail a boat and want to buy my own
little one first. What would be better, a runabout or one of those
little ones with a little cabin underneath?