The main objective of the research was to determine whether the factors of motor skills influence the level of knowledge gained in the basic elements of sailing technique. The problem was to determine to what extent the factors derived from the results of measuring the motor skills affect the level of knowledge acquired in the basic elements of sailing technique, and how much the level of knowledge gained is influenced by other factors. The survey was conducted on a sample of 191 respondents, of which 60 female students and 131 male students of the third year of study at the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Zagreb. Predictive variables were consisted of tests for determining motor abilities: backwards obstacle course, side steps with 360º turn, „the eights“ with bending, non – rhythmic drumming, hands and feet drumming, Oreb`s rhythm test, hand tapping, foot tapping, standing long jump, standing high jump, squeeze of the dominant hand. Criterion variables were consisted of the student grades of the subject "Water Sports" at the third year of the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Zagreb. Student grades represented the level of basic elements of sailing technique knowledge gained. The teaching was carried out in front of the island of Badija (Korčula). The factor and regression analysis did not establish the correlation of motor skills with the level of basic elements of sailing technique knowledge gained. Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that after the seven-day sailing course, the level of demonstration depends more on the focus of the beginners on the course, rather than on the level of their motor skills.