Intermediate Sailing (Level 2): Keelboat Skipper Skill Building
Weekend Course - Saturday & Sunday (9am-4pm)
Course Description:
Are you looking to take your sailing skills to the next level? This intermediate-level course is for competent crew looking to advance their skills in boat-handling. This course is ideal for those with solid crewing skills (see below) who are looking to skipper a small keelboat - the skills learned in this course are tested during the DSC Skipper Checkout.
During this fast-paced course, you will learn how to:
- Plan and execute departures and returning to the dock under sail, from all wind directions
- Perform a person overboard recovery
- Heave-to
- Reef sails
- Adjust sail controls in different wind conditions
To decide if you are ready for this class, please review the following questions - if you can say YES to all of them, this is a great time for you to sign up! This is not a class to be taken immediately after the Intro to Sailing weekend - practice time (we recommend a minimum of 20 hours on the water, or 6 member sails) in between is required to make sure you get the most out of this Intermediate level class.
- Do you know how to rig and derig a keelboat?
- Can you smoothly execute tacks and jibes, handling both the tiller and mainsail simultaneously?
- Are you adept at identifying where the wind is coming from, able to identify your current point of sail, and trim the sails appropriately?
- Can you drive the boat smoothly and efficiently from a port tack beam reach to a starboard tack broad reach?
- Do you know vocabulary for basic parts of the boat and sails, running and standing rigging, and points of sail?
- Can you tie a bowline, cleat hitch, stopper knot, and square knot?
If you're not sure if this is the right class for you, our Adult Education Manager would be happy to answer your questions - email lessons@downtownsailing.org to set up a call.
Please note that there is a firm administrative course change/cancellation fee of $35 per course for switching dates or cancelling. Full cancellation policy is on the FAQ page, located here - please read carefully as refunds are not guaranteed for cancellation within 14 days of class start date.
Details:
This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).
The two-day course takes place from 9am - 4pm each day, with a lunch break in the middle of the day - you can bring your lunch or there will be time to go out to a local fast-food spot. You must be available for the full timeframe as the boats will spend the majority of the day on the water.
This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!
Parking is available on site in the gravel lot of the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Classes meet behind the BMI pavilion, near the gate to the Downtown Sailing Center main dock. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to orient yourself and meet your instructor. The restroom onsite is a port-a-potty.
Life jackets are required to be worn and will be provided. Please wear close-toed shoes for safety. We recommend dressing for the weather (it can feel cooler on the water than on land!) and bringing a full water bottle, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and a great attitude.
If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!
Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).
FULL PAYMENT IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR THIS COURSE. SPACE IS LIMITED.
