Cruising
Do you want to sail beyond the Key Bridge and explore the Chesapeake? Or do you dream about a sailing vacation in the Caribbean? You are not alone.
Many Downtown Sailing Center (DSC) members eventually want to learn to sail larger boats. The DSC Cruising Program provides recreational and educational sailing opportunities on our fleet of cruising sailboats.
As a DSC cruising crew or as a cruising skipper, you can enjoy sailing on our cruising boats, take classes to become better cruising crew, or even gain the knowledge and practice the skills needed to become a cruising skipper.
By participating in the DSC Cruising Program, you can:
- learn the necessary knowledge and skills to safely operate the DSC the vessels in the cruising fleet
- volunteer for DSC cruising events and the various community programs of the DSC
- learn how to maintain and repair cruising sailboats (sailboats with sleeping quarters and auxiliary engines)
- take courses, participate in on-the-water trainings, and attend lectures on topics of interest to cruisers
- accumulate hours underway to build a successful sailing resume to graduate from cruising crew to cruising skipper
Cruising skippers are DSC members who have the demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experience to sail the cruising sailboats while maintaining the value and integrity of the vessel and safety of the crew. Cruising Skipper Candidates are evaluated on successful completion of the application process as outlined in the cruising skipper requirements.
Click on the links below to learn more.
Cruising Skipper Requirements.
Cruising Skipper Prerequisites
Cruising Skipper Candidate Program
Email Cruising@downtownsailing.org for more information about the DSC Cruising Program.
CRUISING CALENDAR
Cruising Member Sails
Cruising Skippers and Crew take out the cruising boats on Sunday and Wednesday Member sails. Cruising Crew receive priority but all are welcome when space is available. The Cruising Program wants to "spread the love" whenever possible!
Cruiser Sundays
A full day of sailing from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM with lunch underway beyond the bridge and back. Crews will be assigned by the Dock Master as to boat assignment and other pertinent information prior to departure. Crews will be contacted by the cruising skipper as to boat assignment and time to meet on the dock for departure. Open only to cruising-level crew and skippers. One week advanced registration required.
Full Moon Sails
Scheduled to coincide with the full moon, these popular events are an opportunity to do some night sailing. Full moon sails leave the docks at approximately 7:30 PM and may return as late as 10:00 or 11:00. Crews will be contacted by a cruising skipper as to boat assignment and time to meet on the dock for departure (times vary based on time of sunset). Open only to cruising-level crew and skippers. One week advanced registration required.
Overnight, Weekend and Raft-up Cruises
The highlight of the cruising season, these popular events are a great opportunity to get some real cruising experience. Scheduled approximately one per month throughout the season, these events are overnight cruises to a predetermined destination on the Chesapeake Bay. The raft-up cruises involve the DSC cruisers and other privately-owned boats for a rendezvous either anchoring or docking together. Crews will be contacted by a cruising skipper as to boat assignment and other pertinent information prior to departure. Open only to cruising-level crew and skippers. One/two week advanced registration required.
Newbie Cruises
Newbie Overnight Cruises are offered for any DSC member who is interested in learning more about the cruising program. If you decide to become a cruising crew after a Newbie Cruise, your $25.00 fee will be applied to the $100.00 cruising crew fee. Crews will be contacted by a cruising skipper as to boat assignment and other pertinent information. Crews will be contacted by the cruising skipper as to boat assignment and other pertinent information prior to departure. Open to DSC members and cruising-level members free of charge, space available.
Work Parties
Work parties are held on Saturdays at 12:00PM during the sailing season. You can check with individual boat managers also to see if there are projects you can work on other times during the week if you can't make it to these scheduled work parties.
Cruising Skipper Development
These educational events are structured to provide informal and free training opportunities for the cruising crew members interested in becoming a DSC skipper. These day long events, led by volunteer cruising skippers, emphasize basic skills and safety, and will allow participants to practice and improve their knowledge and skills, which are essential for an enjoyable and safe sailing experience.
Skippers
- DSC cruising skippers have the necessary sailing resume and skill level to sail the DSC cruising vessels.
- DSC cruising skippers are expected to regularly volunteer as skippers for the scheduled cruising events, accessible-sailing program and for fleet-maintenance work parties throughout the year.
Email Cruising@downtownsailing.org for more information about the cruising program.
The Downtown Sailing Center at the Baltimore Museum of Industry
1425 Key Highway, Suite 110, Baltimore, MD 21230
410.727.0722 • info@downtownsailing.org