Mary,

You are getting answers to 2 different questions here. Your question is how to teach someone to sail. Some of the answers you are getting are to How do you get them interested in learning to sail. I find that the answer to the second question is by taking people out to let them find out how much fun and how exciting it is without getting into trouble or scaring them. I have taken many people out who had never sailed and got them hooked including all my grandchildren (8). I also think you should avoid the subject of racing at this point. I don't race though I have, and am not interested in it.

The answer to your question is to get them on a small enough boat where they can feel the results of every change they make and be with them but let them handle the boat. That could mean anything from a Sunfish to a Laser to a Hobie 16. If they want to learn you have already gotten them interested. A friend of mine told me it takes 20 minutes to learn all you need to know to sail and you spend the rest of your life trying to go faster.

Howard

H-16 and Marshall Sanderling catboat