What Are Your Sailing Goals?

by Don Finkle, RCR Yachts
Maybe you don’t want to set goals for your sailing because, after all, this is recreation and setting goals sounds too much like a work project. On the other hand, I have found that (and I wish I had learned this sooner) setting definitive goals for your sailing means you are much more likely to actually end up sailing more and having more fun in the process.

The first goal should be related to your calendar, mark it up and schedule around your sailing. This way you will find yourself on the water more often. Then there is the type of sailing you desire, it can range from simply sailing with friends all the way up to competing and placing in or winning a major championship.

It is all good so long as you are realistic about your time, resources and talent. Setting yourself up for failure won’t work, such as aiming well beyond your capabilities. We see this too often, where someone loses interest because their goal is unrealistic.

On the other hand, if you enjoy being competitive then you should always try to shoot for the next higher rung on the ladder. What if you are not a serious racer, but simply enjoy getting out there and having fun with friends? That is not only fine; it is probably what the majority of people should be shooting for anyway.

Once you have set the goal, and you are serious about it, then the next step is to plot out steps to get there.

Editor’s note: The process of determining the steps to reach your goal will define how easily that goal can be achieved. But like Don says, if you are not honest in plotting the steps, this business of goal setting might not be for you.