[rcthompson]

Since you've said elsewhere in the thread that you want to sail solo, I might also suggest getting into windsurfing. A windsurfer is a solo craft and smaller and more portable than a sailboat (no trailer required, just a roof rack), and can be used in smaller and shallower lakes. Especially if you're interested in the mechanics and physics of sailing, windsurfing is great for that, since you manipulate the sail manually and use it to do everything, including steering (no rudder).