10 Silly Facts About Sailing That Will Make Your Kid Smile

1. To join a sailing crew, you don’t need to be able to swim — you just need to know how to float! 2. To stay safe on a sailing ship, never let go of the mast — it's your only anchor. 3. The oldest sailboat in the world was made out of wood and was sailed all the way across the Atlantic Ocean in 1851.

4. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to wear a pirate hat to sail a boat — although it does look adorable. 5. You can make your own wind with a fanboat — just attach an electric fan to the back of your sailboat. 6. The fastest sailboat in the world is called the Hydroptère, and it can reach speeds of up to 50 knots. 7. One of the most famous sailing ships, the Mayflower, sailed all the way from England to America in 1620. 8. The most common type of sailboat is called a sloop — which is named after a type of bird. 9. Sailing is great exercise — it’s like working out while you’re on vacation! 10. Sailing is a great way to make friends — you’ll make lots of new friends on the high seas.