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Cruising Course

Courses, Private Lessons, and Private Charters

Whether it's your first time on a boat or you have years of experience under your belt, when it comes to sailing there's always more to learn.  We offer a wide range of courses, led by expert, US Sailing-certified instructors.  Classes are kept small (usually no more than three students per instructor) for a highly individualized learning experience.  You do not need to be a member to take a course.

The Adult Program 2012 Course Schedule will be posted in early 2012.  12 hour courses tend to follow a consecutive Sat/Sat or Sun/Sun schedule, 10:00-4:30 with half hour lunch breaks.  24 hour courses tend to take place over two consecutive weekends, Sat/Sun/Sat/Sun, 10:00-4:30, with half hour lunch breaks.  We are more than happy to try to work something out if your schedule does not match our regularly set courses, whether it is through private lessons or by matching you up with other students.  If you have any questions about courses or course scheduling, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 617-242-3821 .

Basic Keelboat Part 1 & 2
12 hours. Whether you're totally new to sailing or haven't sailed in a while, our BK Part 1 course is a great way to give sailing a try without a big commitment! If you like it, come back for BK Part 2 and work towards your US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification.

Basic Keelboat Complete
24 hours.  This is our core course for covering the fundamentals of sailing.  Perfect for those who are looking for a solid grasp on the basics and the confidence to helm a sailboat in Boston Harbor.   Graduates are elible to take the US Sailing Basic Keelboat exam at the completion of the course and receive US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification

Advanced Keelboat (Formerly Performance Sailing)
12 hours.  For those who know the basics and are comfortable skippering a Rhodes 19, this course is a great next step. Using our J/22 fleet, we cover the finer points of boat handling and sail trim, and teach you how to fly a spinnaker.

Basic Cruising
24 hours. For those looking to move beyond daysailing to bigger boats and broader horizons, this course covers the basics of handling bigger boat. Graduates are elible to take the US Sailing Basic Cruising exam at the completion of the course and receive US Sailing Basic Cruising certification.

Bareboat Cruising
40 hours.  For those eager to charter a cruising boat in the Carribean, or just be a more confident cruiser in your own boat, this is the next step beyond Basic Cruising.  Graduates are elible to take the US Sailing Bareboat Cruising exam at the completion of the course and receive US Sailing Bareboat Cruising certification.

Coastal Navigation coming soon!
The material covered in our Coastal Navigation class is something every sailor, sooner or later, needs to know. Graduates will be able to plot routes and chart their own courses with confidence.  Whether you are a Basic Keelboat grad itching to explore every nook and cranny of the Harbor Islands, or you are a long-time cruiser grown too attached to your GPS and not sure if you'd be ready to plot a quick fix and course to steer the should the batteries die and the fog roll in, this is the course for you.

Private Lessons and Charters
Sailing made to order. For beginning to advanced sailors, on any topic.  Ask Dave or Cha, and they will put together a lesson, course or cruise just for you!

Group Practice Classes
3 hours.  Group Practice Classes are a great way to practice some of the skills you learned in your Basic Keelboat course, to gain some confidence before heading out on your own, or to brush up on skills if you're just coming back to sailing after a break.

For more information about courses, or to purchase and schedule a course, please contact:

Dave DiLorenzo, Director of Adult Programs,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cha O'Connell, Assistant Director of Adult Programs, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Or call the boathouse directly at 617-242-3821.