Learn to Sail with BHYC

Interested in sailing?
Looking to learn to sail?
Need a refresher on sailing fundamentals?
Want to build more advanced sailing skills and knowledge?

Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club offers a variety of instructional courses in sailing - including “First Sail” opportunities, Intro to Sailing, US SAILING Basic Keelboat certifications, and other individualized and customized advanced sailing and racing options.

BHYC established its adult sailing school using the well regarded certification programs developed by US SAILING. Fewer than 100 programs across the country are recognized as a certified US SAILING school and BHYC is the only location in Maine to offer this level of training. Additional information regarding US SAILING certification programs can be found at US Sailing Basic Keelboat.

US SAILING Basic Keelboat is the foundation course for successful day sailing and provides the first step to building future sailing skills required for coastal cruising, bareboat chartering, and off-shore passage making. The Basic Keelboat certification course is the acknowledged standard in the sailing community and develops an excellent base of sailing fundamentals. Successful completion of the course will provide the confidence to independently sail a small keelboat.

Courses at BHYC are predominantly taught in the boats and on the water to maximize practical knowledge and skill building. Basic Keelboat students are expected to supplement this instruction with individual reading from the textbook and other assigned materials. On-the-water instruction will review and reinforce this material.

BHYC courses are taught primarily on J22 sailboats.

LOA
LWL
Beam
Draft
Displacement
Lead Keel
Sail Area (100%)

22.5'
19.0'
8.0'
3.8'
1790 lbs.
700 lbs.
223 sq. ft.

Send inquires about courses and dates to
sailing@bhyc.net

First Sail
- Scheduled by demand
  
  2 hour introductory sail
  
  $200 / ($100 members)
  
  Course Objectives – Introduce sailing on keelboats
  
  Course Description – The First Sail program is an initiative sponsored by US Sailing to provide people their first experience sailing and is intended for people with little to no sailing experience. There is no class work or textbook – just a short on-the-water experience. Each boat will include an experienced instructor with up to four participants. For more information go to US Sailing First Sail.
  
  Topics covered:
  
  Boat familiarization
  
  Basic Sailing Theory
  
  Boat Handling (steering, tacking, and jibing)
Introduction to Sailing
- Intro to Sailing
  
  Scheduled by demand
  
  1 day course with 4 hours of on-the-water instruction
  
  $400 / ($200 members)
  
  Course Objectives – Introduce sailing on keelboats
  
  Course Description – The Intro to Sailing course is intended for people with little to no sailing experience. There is no class work or textbook – just on-the-water experience. Each boat will include an experienced instructor with up to three students. The Intro course provides an opportunity to confirm an initial interest in sailing and make the decision to commit to the more comprehensive learn-to-sail Basic Keelboat course.
  
  Topics covered:
  
  Boat familiarization
  
  Sailing Theory
  
  Boat Handling (steering, tacking, and jibing)
US Sailing 3-Day Basic Keelboat Certification
- Wednesdays-Thursdays-Fridays (Sselect weeks subject to availability )
  3 day course with 18 hours of on the water instruction with an option to sail for an additional 4 hours of practice without an on-board instructor
  
  $800 / ($500 members)
  
  (Course fee includes US SAILING Basic Keelboat textbook, certification upon successful course completion and an automatic one year membership to US SAILING – a $60 value)
  
  Course Objective – Skipper and crew a day-sailing keelboat in familiar waters in light to moderate conditions
  
  Course Description – Basic Keelboat is intended for people to learn to sail or to build on or fill-in fundamental sailing skills and knowledge. Each course is taught by an on-board US Sailing certified instructor with up to three students per boat. The course is based on US Sailing curriculum and standards. Each student will also receive and be expected to independently read the US Sailing text “Basic Keelboat”. Content of the book will be reviewed on the water and included on the written certification exam (if taken). Following the course, a student should have the skills and knowledge to independently sail a small keelboat. Students bring their own lunch and the group will anchor for lunch during the day.
  
  US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification is available upon successful completion of both written and practical evaluations. Evaluations are scheduled after completion of on-the-water instruction and supplemental practice.
  
  Topics covered:
  
  Preparation to Sail and Securing Boat after Sailing
  
  Boat Controls and Terminology
  
  Sailing Theory
  
  Departing and Returning from Docks and Moorings
  
  Boat Handling (steering, tacking, jibing, sail trim)
  
  Basic Navigation and Rules
  
  Basic Knots
  
  Special Situations (Heave-to, Reefing, Anchoring, Man Overboard, Running Aground, Distress Signaling, and Heavy Weather)
Advanced or Specialty Clinics
- Advanced-Specialty clinics are scheduled, customized, and priced based on demand.
  
  Advanced Sailing Series
  
  Course Objectives – Provide sailors the opportunity to work on a broad range of advanced sailing skills.
  
  Course Description – Courses are designed for experienced sailors who would like to build on their basic keelboat sailing skills. The topics selected and the level of instruction will be adjusted to meet the needs and ability level of participants.
  
  Possible topics covered:
  
  Boat Speed (steering, sail trim)
  
  Boat Handling (tacking, gybing, mark rounding)
  
  Sailing with spinnakers
  
  Racing topics (rules, tactics, starting)
  
  Navigation /GPS
  
  Big boat crewing
  
  Special review/practice topics (e.g. - departing and returning from moorings and docks, man overboard, heave-to, reefing, sailing backwards, anchoring, single or short-handed sailing)
  
  Intro to Spinnakers
  
  Course Objectives – Students will be able to set, sail, and douse a symmetric spinnaker in light to medium wind conditions.
  
  Course Description – This course is designed for experienced sailors who would like to build on their basic keelboat sailing skills by adding the ability to sail with a spinnaker. Students will learn proper techniques for both crew work and as well as skippering. Each boat will include an experienced instructor with up to three students.
  
  Topics covered:
  
  Spinnaker flying theory
  
  Preparing and packing the spinnaker
  
  Spinnaker controls - halyard, guys, sheets, spinnaker pole, topping lift, downhaul
  
  Hoisting and dropping the spinnaker
  
  Sailing and gybing with a spinnaker (skippering and crewing, trim, communication)
  
  Broach prevention and recovery
  
  Big Boat Crewing for Racing
  Course Objectives – Students will understand the roles, responsibilities, and expectations for crewing on big boats.
  
  Course Description – Racing a big boat requires coordination among all crewmembers and skipper. This course covers the roles and responsibilities in a big boat and provides the opportunity to rotate through different positions. Each boat will include an experienced instructor with up to eight students. Instruction will be adjusted to meet the needs and ability level of participants in each course.
  
  Topics covered:
  
  Overview of all positions on the boat
  
  Upwind and downwind sailing (with tacks and gybes)
  
  Mark roundings
Private Lessons
- Private Lessons
  
  Scheduled by appointment.
  
  Looking for a refresher? Some specific help on a particular aspect of sailing? Perhaps just someone to take you out for a stress-free sail if you do not know how or do not want to be responsible for doing the sailing. Instruction on BHYC J22s or bring your own boat.
  
  $100/hour

What to Bring

Dress in layers (appropriate to the weather – rain gear if appropriate)
Sunglasses / Hat / Sunscreen / Water
Closed-toe non-marking shoes (no flip-flops)
Lunch (for Basic Keelboat courses)
USCG approved life jacket (if you own one that you prefer – BHYC provides them if not)

Courses will be conducted in most weather conditions. However, if weather conditions require it, courses will be held onshore.

Waiver/Emergency/Medical Form is required to be completed prior to participation in courses.

50% deposit required at registration. Remainder is due one week prior to the start of the course. Course fee is fully refundable if registration is cancelled at least one week prior to the start date.

Send inquires about courses and dates to
[email protected] or call 207-633-5750.

Learn to Sail with BHYC

REQUEST INFORMATION: lEARN TO saIL