Sailing Schools?

[Frank Hagan]

Anyone taken the Basic Keelboat or other sailing certification programs? My wife and I are thinking of a live-aboard or "remote" 4 day sailing class as a vacation idea this summer (or fall). I was wondering what experiences others have had with this sort of thing.

[Barry Pyeatt]

My bride of only one year and I took a 4-day sailing course in the Virgin Islands some (long) time ago. It was a great experience and the certification that came with it made it possible to "bareboat" without any hassle from that point on. 8)

It was quite a good course with basic navigation, charting, course making, handling, reading the sky and water, knots, splices, line handling and trimming. We practiced "man-overboard" drills until it was second nature. We lived aboard a 36' sloop for 3 days and the 4th day we went out to work a 45' gaffer ketch. A real confidence builder.

We worked in shallow water, channels, with markers and in traffic (both sail and power), worked in open ocean with high winds and reefing. Worked around headlands with shoal water issues, learned proper anchor techniques and also picked up some really great recipies for beachside cooking along the way.

It was worth every penny we scrimped and saved to do it the first time.

We had such a great time with the couple that taught us that we went back several times to sail with them after that. They took one boat with a "newbe" couple and we took another with a couple that sailed with us for years.

[Phil Gowans]

I'm scheduled in a little over a week for 6 days on a 65' schooner out of Port Townsend for sailtraining. It's in conjunction with the "Old Gaffers Race" in B.C. I'm really looking forward to it. It's a live aboard experience and I want to do everything. I have been intrigued with the idea of life at sea so long I'm about ready to wet myself, which I will probably end up doing. I'm not after any particular training - it's the whole gestalt of the thing I'm after. There is no certification offered. I would like something that would offer me to be able to bareboat. This may be a little impractical to learn to sail a weekender, but I'm doing if for fun. I'll take pictures and put them on my site.

There are some great sounding experiences out there. The one last fall I was tempted to do, but couldn't spare the time was a 3 month sail from San Diego to the Bay of Islands NZ through Cabo, Marquises, Tahiti, Tonga, & Rarotonga. It covered "room and board" and all port stays and it only cost $2000. You were considered as if you were crew. I really had to think hard about that one, but I was afraid that my boss would find he could do without me if I was gone for that long.

[Derek]

Phil both of those sound fascinating. Do you have links available for some more info I could search with?

[Phil Gowans]

Derek I really envy you up in Washington. You have so many things going on with sailing and wooden boats. There's just a whole ton of things. Almost as much as New England.

For Alcyone try the : Wooden Boat Foundation

My dream trip on was on the R.Tucker Thompson of Opua NZ.

You can volunteer on the Lady Washington

For Historical, educational ship links

for lots of links to Tall ships and Sailtraining[/url]

[Phil Gowans]

I've been also dreaming about a vacation to the Norfolk broads. This link is a yacht rental outfit that has some neat gaff rigged boats (along with some others). They claim that you don't need any certificate to use their boats. They will take you out until you are comfortable with the boat, then it's yours. My wife wouldn't consider paying to go work on somebodys schooner, but she would consider this.

If you aren't familiar with the Broads, it is Englands newest National park, and looks like a wonderful sailing time.

[Barry Pyeatt]

Phil,

My brother spent a few days on the same schooner out of Port Townsend a while back. He was very complimentary about the experience and had a blast.

There are a number of great wooden boats here in the Northwest that have "crew" space and learning experiences. Or are available for charter, not many for "bare boat" charters though. You are going to love the San Juan Islands and the area. From Port Townsend North is incredible sailing/scenery. You should get lots of wildlife photos too. Johannah will love it if you post any.

[Derek]

Thanks so much Phil for the info!

[SeaEagle]

Frank,

I spent 4 months sailing the Pacific Islands with a Ships Master from New Zealand (on a Moody 42) in 1992 - As a result I later sat my Boat Masters Certificate and passed with flying colours.

I realise that this is a far different kettle of fish than what you are asking about, but my view is this "there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing ... as spending time on the water with someone who really knows what they are doing"

If you can find someone who is actually prepared to let go of the tiller / wheel, and let you have a go ... and teach you along the way ... go for it!