Ok, not for every sailor.

On a glassy, smooth Penobscot Bay last season, we could easily hear the distant Sabre 38 approaching under power. So still was our air on the water, the banter between the two sailors was as clear as a bell.

“I don’t think their motor is on,"Sabre sailor 1 said. “ But, but, their sails are filled”, Sabre 2's retort. “No way!!” Sabre 1 ended the converstation as they powered off.

Yes, 'way'! And I was nearly as surprised as they were. We’d motored through a race that was postboned for lack of wind. Encouraged to experiment with our new main, I raised and set sails-then set the boats heading to take advantage of the NOAA forecast:"Today- 0 to 5 knot SW". I took a shot in the dark.

After a looong engine assisted coast, we,…were... sailing. NOAA was right! There was wind moving, between 0 and 5 knots, but you could hardly sense it.

The Sabre is a faster boat, but light air sailing isn’t about the boat. Any reasonably designed sailboat, with a clean bottom, decent sails, that is not overly burdened with extra weight, can sail in light air. Sailing a boat in light air is up to the people onboard. Boats have been doing it forever(there was no option for many).

And there's all kinds light air sails and other science to consider, but I'm talking about regular boats, regular sails; they will sail in light air.

Sometimes, to get your boat sailing in light air-like the opening scenario, just takes trying. I do love the whole quiet experience of light air sailing. It's a process of discovery. Propulsion, if only 2 knots, under nearly no visible means can be quite satisfying.

‘Light-light air’ for me these days is between 0 and 5 knots of breeze. At 5 knots(light air), I can usually sail our boat, at 0 knots(light-light-light, air), I can’t...sail.

It's the stuff in between that makes it fun. Or rather, it's having the time to go no where, that makes sailing slowly, fun. We set aside time to sail in light air. Instead of "miles to cover", I think "hours to sail'.

Yeah, that's not going to work if you're enroute to a destination, or you have to get home. That's why I use my motor often. Light wind - wrong wind- dead batteries, I never feel embarrassed to be under power. You have to make the time and have the desire, to sail in light air.

Another thing that helps is flat-flat water. Early morning in a protected bay or backwater is perfect on the coast of Maine. Being able to see, feel, sense the lightest air on a stable boat, you're more able to try to attach a wisp of breeze to your sails. Your boats gentle way is one of your light air senses. It tells all.

One last trick I've learned; patience. Light-light air, is fickle. There one minute -- gone the next. Don't start the engine, yet. Take a breather, you've got time. The calm and quiet can be a real surprise. And then the lull ends(they all end), and you're off again.

One more tip; Everybody has to be 'all in', to sail in light air. If not, start your engine.

Exciting stuff, light-light air. Any other tricks and tips?