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.  All cruising skippers must be approved by the Cruising Committee.  Cruising Skipper Candidates are evaluated on successful completion of the application process as outlined in the DSC Cruising Handbook (updated 2017) including an On-the-Water Checkout and passing a Rules-of-the-road basic sailing examination.

Email Cruising@downtownsailing.org for more information about the DSC Cruising Program.