[quote=Dogboy]I agree with the recommendation to rig the boat on dry land ahead of time. Do this in a place away from the water if possible (i.e., your yard) so you have plenty of time to walk through the process and aren't tempted to go for a sail before getting everything sorted. Take your time to make sure everything's correct and if you can get a copy of the owner's manual, use it as a reference. Making sure that everything on the boat is rigged properly and that all the parts are there will make a big difference on the water.
Otherwise, I would suggest that you do rig the jib (for one thing, it will make tacking easier). What's most important is that you pick a day where the weather is appropriate. Try to go out on a day where there is around 5-10 MPH of breeze forecast. Enough wind so you can really get a feel for how the boat handles, but not so much that you're out of control or in real danger of capsizing. Starting out on a protected body of water, like a lake, would be preferred.
Otherwise, just go out and have fun - you've gotta start somewhere. As always, be sure to wear a PFD and appropriate gear for the temperature/weather conditions.
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