Personalized Sailing Instruction
We offer customized sailing lessons tailored to your specific needs, on your own boat to build your confidence and improve teamwork, or through our immersive “Learn and Cruise” experiences on our boat in destinations like the Caribbean, Bahamas, or the US East Coast. We provide personalized instruction for all skill levels, helping you develop the knowledge and confidence to navigate open waters and test-out the cruising lifestyle. We teach using the well-proven American Sailing (ASA) curriculum, and blend the Basic Sailing (101), Basic Cruising (103), and Bareboat Cruising (104) class levels into a single week-long experience.
Sailing and Boat Handling
We welcome sailors of all skill levels, providing instruction from basic
to advanced sailing techniques. Our primary focus is on the safety of both
the crew and the boat, as well as effective communication, particularly
for short-handed crews. We teach how to manage the boat in various conditions.
Here are some key areas of our training:
- Single- and double-handed boat handling, emphasizing safety
- Sail handling and sail trim for all points of sail
- Reefing sails while underway, how to heave-to, and handling stronger winds
- Preventing crew overboard situations and effectively recovering a person who falls overboard
- Understanding the use of safety equipment and following emergency procedures
Navigation and Weather
Navigation is a crucial aspect of sailing. We will teach you how to navigate using charts,
GPS, and radar. Additionally, we’ll explain how to interpret weather conditions and utilize
modern tools like tablets and smartphones.
Our course will include:
- Coastal navigation: determining your location, plotting a course, and using waypoints
- Understanding and using aids to navigation and following the collision avoidance rules
- Dead reckoning and piloting techniques
- Managing tides and currents
- Navigating in restricted visibility, both with and without radar
- Analyzing weather forecasts
- Using modern sailing tools, including tablets, smartphones, and relevant applications
Docking and Anchoring
Docking a boat is usually the area generating the most anxiety for new sailors. We teach you how to dock a boat in all conditions, using well-proven techniques. We also practice anchoring the boat, and picking up a mooring. We will cover:
- Boat docking and maneuvering in close quarters
- Backing the boat into a slip
- Anchoring and picking up a mooring
- Using multiple anchors or stern lines
- Launching and using a dinghy
Cruising Preparedness
There is much more to the cruising lifestyle than just sailing. Our week-long
classes immerse you in all aspects of cruising, including understanding
the various systems on a boat, operations and maintenance, and preparing
for long-distance sailing. We will also look into provisioning, storing food, and cooking.
We will cover:
- Electrical systems: understanding your boat’s electrical system, power management, and troubleshooting
- Plumbing systems: fresh water management and production, waste, and related systems
- Engine systems: basic engine maintenance, troubleshooting, and understanding your propulsion system
- Provisioning: how to stock your boat for a week or more, including food storage and cooking
- Cruising preparation: getting ready for long-distance sailing, including safety equipment, communication, and emergency procedures