Sailing on French Lakes

Sailing is the art of controlling a boat with large (usually fabric) foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to change the direction and speed of a boat.

Mastery of the skill requires experience in varying wind and sea conditions, as well as knowledge concerning sailboats themselves.

Most of the time, sailing is enjoyed as a recreational activity. Recreational sailing can be mainly divided into two parts, yacht racing and cruising, although crusing is less common on French lakes because of the size of the lakes.

Sailing Regulations

Depending on the country or continental union, boating on coastal waters and inland waters may require a license. Usually, boating on inland waters almost always requires a license, while boating on coastal waters only requires a license when a certain boat size is exceeded (e.g. a length of 20 metres), or when passenger ships, ferries or tugboats are steered.

Boating on international waters does not require any license, due to the absence of any laws or restrictions in this area. Europe's continental union, the EU, issues the International Certificate of Competence.

Yacht Racing

Yacht racing is the sport of competitive yachting. There is a broad variety of races and sailboats used for racing. All kinds of boats are used for racing, including small dinghies, catamarans, boats designed primarily for cruising, and purpose-built raceboats. The Racing Rules of sailing govern the conduct of yacht racing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, model boat racing, dinghy racing and virtually any other form of racing around a course with more than one vessel while powered by the wind.