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Basic Cruising Certification

  • 24 hours
  • Advanced
  • Weekdays or weekends

The US Sailing Basic Cruising Certification Course is a 4-day intensive sailing course in which you will learn to responsibly skipper and crew an auxiliary powered cruising sailboat during daylight hours, within sight of land in moderate wind and sea conditions.

Become Competent Crew

The course is designed to help new sailors feel comfortable on a boat and give you the basic skills needed to competently crew on a small keelboat with an experienced skipper. 

  • Prepare the boat for sailing
  • Complete thorough systems check
  • Safely depart under engine power
  • Crew communication skills
  • Boat control in confined waters
  • Raising the sails
  • Rescuing overboard crew
  • Return to the dock
  • Anchoring procedures
  • Safety and emergency protocols
  • Basic navigation

Prerequisites

Participants need to have successfully completed the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification in order to qualify for the Basic Cruising Certification. A participant may challenge the Basic Keelboat Certification before taking the Basic Cruising Course, but all students should be proficient small-keelboat sailors under normal conditions and come into the course with the prerequisite skills. If you need to challenge the Basic Keelboat Course, please contact the office at info@downtownsailing.org. Basic Keelboat Certification is not covered in the cost of this course and will be an additional fee.

Participants born on or after July 1, 1972 must also provide proof of valid Maryland Safe Boater Certification (or equivalent). Please see the cruising education webpage for further prerequisite information.

What's Included

Each student will receive a copy of the US Sailing Basic Cruising textbook. Upon successful completion of the exams, students will receive a logbook and sticker.

The cost for the course includes all study and testing materials.

Additional Details

We believe in "learning by doing" at the DSC, so the majority of your time will be spent on the water! An experienced instructor will guide you through the curriculum and be on the boat with you at all times. The maximum number of students per boat is 3, to allow everyone plenty of time to practice the skills.

This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age.

The course takes place from 8:30am - 5pm each day, with a lunch break in the middle of the day. You must be available for the full timeframe as the boats will spend the majority of the day on the water. The restroom onsite is a port-a-potty.

This course is taught aboard the DSC's cruising boats, and you'll sail on an auxiliary-powered vessel between 30' and 40' in length.

$1,100/members

$1,200/non-members

$2,925/Book the Boat Member Rate
Book the whole boat for 3 DSC members

Upcoming Classes

  View Full Calendar

Waitlist and Cancellation Policy

Waitlist

If the class you want to attend is fully booked, feel free to join the waitlist. We will send an email to the waitlist when a spot becomes available. It is then first come first serve.

Cancellations

Participant Cancellations

Participant cancellations made 14 days or more in advance of the event date will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made 7-13 days in advance of the event date will receive a 50% refund, unless we are able to fill the opening in which case a 100% refund will be issued. Cancellations made within 48 hours to the event will not be refunded unless the opening is filled, in which case a 100% refund will be issued.

The above policy applies to change requests, and we have a $35 Course Change Fee to switch dates or cancel a class with any amount of notice.

The DSC will do its best to find a replacement student for the course.

Please email info@downtownsailing.org to cancel a registration.

DSC Cancellations

If the Downtown Sailing Center cancels your course, you will be rescheduled for another offering at no cost or a refund will be issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of boats are used for classes?

Most courses are taught aboard the DSC's keelboats - either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

Please note that Performance Sailing is only taught aboard J/22s and uses symmetrical spinnakers.

Basic Cruising and Bareboat Cruising courses are taught aboard the DSC's cruising boats, auxiliary-powered vessel between 30' and 40' in length.

Is parking available?

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.

Are there breaks during class?

Our full-day classes return for a lunch break in the middle of each day, but you should plan to be on the water for up to three hours at a stretch.

What do I need to bring?

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 water bottle, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and a great attitude.

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