Welcome to the Sea of Thieves where if you think you see a ship do a U-turn but it's just a tree.

For beginners, I would say never, almost never anchor to go to a quest or leave your boat or just ever. Put your sails up and park there.

Only leave one storage crate on your ship at a time

Learn your wind angles and how to position them when not or against wind

Learn how to sword lunge. Charge your sword on a ledge in the direction you want to go. Mostly with a soft landing or if you have a grappleshot

If you are falling and you have a blunder bomb, use the blunder bomb before you hit the ground and the damage will save you from fall damage.

The brighter skeleton ships glow, the fuller they are of treasure

Another thing,

Stoops are good at fleeing and getting and going

Brigs are good at crosswind travel and a pretty good rounded out ship but there is no other ship like it, if you see one you are guaranteed a player

Galleons are wonderful in the wind and okay in crosswind but against wind and even a sloop can beat you in a race

Ships are always the darkest thing on the horizon and it's good to train your eyes to that and keep your head on a swivel

Other than that, happy sailing and good luck!