Those who want to learn to sail will usually take a basic keelboat course through an organization like the American Sailing Association that provides instruction on sailing a 20-foot boat in light to moderate wind and water conditions. These courses lead to certification which will allow the renting of boats at most arenas. To become certified, students will be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of sailing terminology, apply navigation rules and demonstrate sailing skills. To learn more about sailing certification, see our Sailing Certification Test Guide.