Sailing Has Moved People For Centuries
There has always been wind available for sailing so for many centuries people moved about the world powered by the wind hitting sails on a ship. Sailing from one continent to another was very dangerous in past centuries. People on the ships were at the mercy of the wind, but sailing provided transportation for merchants, warriors and explorers. Sailing away from the shores of a continent at that time was dangerous because those on a ship did not know what lay ahead. They had no histories of the world beyond their shores, no weather reports to tell them about conditions and no newspapers to tell them the latest news.
Sailing anywhere now or in years past meant gathering the power of the wind into a set of sails. The best sailors knew the winds, and their sails so they could catch the wind and its power to get them to their destination. Although great sailors might capture a limited wind, any sailing boat could become stagnant if the wind disappeared completely. Hundreds of years ago, most sailors used their boats and sails for specific reasons. The explorers went beyond the horizon to find out what lay beyond their shores. Merchants took goods from their homelands to trade for goods in foreign lands.
Sailing Is Enjoyed By People Around The World
In the modern world, the sailing ships have been replaced with ships with engines. The new explorers, merchants and warriors power their ships with nuclear and other types of energy. There are still thousands of sailing boats around the world, and many sailors enjoy their time on the sea. The modern boats come in various shapes and sizes for some are simple and others are luxurious. The modern day sailor might sail from one continent to the other, but many are weekend sailors who take to the seas when they have time off.
The modern sailors share some of the same problems with their ancient brothers. They depend on harnessing the wind to power their vessels. Expert sailors like their ancient brothers move faster than those who are less knowledgeable because they can effectively harness any available wind. Most of the modern day sailors enjoy the time on the sea where there is usually peace and quiet. Some of the modern day sailors enjoy the challenge of moving faster than others by using their superior skills. These sailors often take part in sailing competitions. The modern day sailing boats are made from various materials from wood to fiberglass.
