sailing schools

[Bill Mahan]

Do any of the New Englanders (especially) in this august group have any positive experience with sailing schools, preferably on the Maine coast? There don't seem to be many of them, particularly in the mid-coast and Downeast sections. Alternatively, does anyone have recommendations for schools in the Fr. Myers, Fla. area?? Thanks for any suggestions. Bill Mahan



mahan@mint.net

[Clay Stalker]

Do any of the New Englanders (especially) in this august group have any positive experience with sailing schools, preferably on the Maine coast? There don't seem to be many of them, particularly in the mid-coast and Downeast sections. Alternatively, does anyone have recommendations for schools in the Fr. Myers, Fla. area?? Thanks for any suggestions. Bill Mahan

Hi Bill:

As I didn't start sailing until I was 32, I wanted to learn it all at once (no patience) so I sought out sailing schools. I attended Sailing 1 and Sailing 2 at J-World in Newport, R.I. and learned on J-24s...a real good learning experience, really built up my confidence. The next two years I went up to Woodenboat School in Brooklin, Maine and took two of their week-long seamanship classes...excellent programs! The first week I sailed with Roger and Mary Duncan on their 35 foot Friendship sloop Eastward (Cruising Guide to New England Coast), an incredible learning experience. The next year I spent a week with Andy Oldman on his 36 foot wooden sloop Patience. Spent a lot of time with night sailing, anchoring, navigating in fog etc. These are really good programs and Woodenboat School is an experience in itself. That's my 2 cents worth...I'm sure there are other good programs around, but I can strongly recommend these two.

Clay Stalker
CD27 Salsa #247
Bristol Harbor, R.I.



cstalker@cheshire.net

[Ken Coit]

Bill,

My first wife and I went to Steve Colgate's Offshore Sailing in Edgartown, MA back in the 70's. At the time they were using Solings which we found to be a great boat for training. There was lots of open cockpit for four students and an afterdeck(poop?) for the instructor. The Soling is a keelboat, so it was relatively stable and, with the fin keel, it was also very agile. I suppose Colgate's new boat is similar. We did a few hours on the water and few hours in class each day for five days. Our Cap'n was a young kid, probably between college years, who certainly knew more than we did, but did not have the experience cruising that you apparently will find through Wooden Boat. On the other hand, Colgate headquarters are in Ft. Meyers where winter is an afterthought; I think they also run a school in Newport, RI and elsewhere.

From there we went on to racing Lightnings, Lasers, Catalina 22s and now the CD/36, so it was probably the kick start we needed.

Have fun and report back.

Ken
CD/36 Parfait
Raleigh, NC

Do any of the New Englanders (especially) in this august group have any positive experience with sailing schools, preferably on the Maine coast? There don't seem to be many of them, particularly in the mid-coast and Downeast sections. Alternatively, does anyone have recommendations for schools in the Fr. Myers, Fla. area?? Thanks for any suggestions. Bill Mahan

parfait@nc.rr.com

[Charlie McKitrick]

Do any of the New Englanders (especially) in this august group have any positive experience with sailing schools, preferably on the Maine coast? There don't seem to be many of them, particularly in the mid-coast and Downeast sections. Alternatively, does anyone have recommendations for schools in the Fr. Myers, Fla. area?? Thanks for any suggestions. Bill Mahan

I went to Duxbury Bay Maritime in Duxbury Mass. It was expensive but very good.

[Bob Luby]

Colgate's Base is at Sanibel Island. I took his Learn to Sail and Learn to Cruise courses back to back there a few years ago.

A good course. Theory in the morning, Sailing in the afternoon - and surprisingly intensive. If you've never sailed before, its almost too intense. particularly if you are combining it with a vacation.

It will fill in the gaps if you're self taught, like most of us are.



Rluby@aol.com

[John Stone]

Do any of the New Englanders (especially) in this august group have any positive experience with sailing schools, preferably on the Maine coast? There don't seem to be many of them, particularly in the mid-coast and Downeast sections. Alternatively, does anyone have recommendations for schools in the Fr. Myers, Fla. area?? Thanks for any suggestions. Bill Mahan

Bill,
My wife attended J-World Annapolis several years ago and I can't say enough good things about the school and what it did for her. She has really come a long way. Very professional school. Highly recommended.

John



stonej0302@aol.com

[Leo MacDonald]

Hi Bill,

In the New England area 'JWorld' of Newport (http://www.jworldschool.com/, 800-343-2255) has been highly recommended to me. Practical Sailor also gave them a faily good rating. No personal experience though.

I would strongly advise to staying away from Annapolis Sailing School - based on personal experience and a $2000.00 personal loss! (Particulars on request.)

Fair Winds,
Leo MacDonald
macdore@aol.com, 860-859-9600



macdore@aol.com

[Mark Yashinsky]

Same comments as Leo on Annapolis Sailing School. Based on personal experience.

[Mario]

Same comments as Leo on Annapolis Sailing School. Based on personal experience.

I took the ASA coastal nav course at Annapolis and had a good experience.

Mur and I took ASA courses from Norton's in Deltaville, VA. We ended up having essentially private lessons in the basic/advanced sailing courses, even sailed on the instructor's 38' Hunter when we took him to dinner at the Tides. The next year we took the bareboating course from Norton and again had a great experience. I highly recommend Norton's. The only drawback to Deltaville is that there are few options for overnight accomodations, although there's now a Holiday Inn Express in Kilmarnock, about 15 miles away. You also have the options of sailing in the Bay if weather is good or Rappahannock River if weather is not so good.

Mario
s/v Rhapsody
CD 20 #252



capedory252@aol.com

[Catherine Monaghan]

Bill,

My husband and I also trained with Offshore Sailing School some years back. We also trained on a Soling. We had a very good experience with them and I'd recommend them. They have numerous locations, including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island as well as the BVI and several locations in Florida. Visit their website at:

<a href="http://www.offshore-sailing.com/">http: ... ng.com/</a>

<a href="http://www.chapman.org/">Chapman's School of Seamanship</a> is another sailing school I also recommend. But they're in Stuart, FL.

And the <a href="http://www.mdschool.com/">Maryland School of Sailing and Seamanship</a> is another one to look into, especially if you want to do any offshore sailing. They are in Rock Hall, MD.


catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 <a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/bcomet/real ... ization</a>, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

Bill,

My first wife and I went to Steve Colgate's Offshore Sailing in Edgartown, MA back in the 70's. At the time they were using Solings which we found to be a great boat for training. There was lots of open cockpit for four students and an afterdeck(poop?) for the instructor. The Soling is a keelboat, so it was relatively stable and, with the fin keel, it was also very agile. I suppose Colgate's new boat is similar. We did a few hours on the water and few hours in class each day for five days. Our Cap'n was a young kid, probably between college years, who certainly knew more than we did, but did not have the experience cruising that you apparently will find through Wooden Boat. On the other hand, Colgate headquarters are in Ft. Meyers where winter is an afterthought; I think they also run a school in Newport, RI and elsewhere.

From there we went on to racing Lightnings, Lasers, Catalina 22s and now the CD/36, so it was probably the kick start we needed.

Have fun and report back.

Ken
CD/36 Parfait
Raleigh, NC

Do any of the New Englanders (especially) in this august group have any positive experience with sailing schools, preferably on the Maine coast? There don't seem to be many of them, particularly in the mid-coast and Downeast sections. Alternatively, does anyone have recommendations for schools in the Fr. Myers, Fla. area?? Thanks for any suggestions. Bill Mahan

catherine_monaghan@merck.com

[Mark Yashinsky]

Strange that you got an ASA certification at Annapolis, as they are a US Sailing based school. I know most schools let you take either test, but would have thought they would push for the US Sailing test. My problem was more of being lied to about requirements (to get me to take other courses ($$$)) and using US Sailing as the reason (totally false).

[Leo MacDonald]

Mark,

Among the many negative experiences with Annapolis Sailing School, we also were exposed to a 'bait & switch' tactic.

F/W, Leo



macdore@aol.com

[Mario]

Strange that you got an ASA certification at Annapolis, as they are a US Sailing based school. I know most schools let you take either test, but would have thought they would push for the US Sailing test. My problem was more of being lied to about requirements (to get me to take other courses ($$$)) and using US Sailing as the reason (totally false).

Hmmm...it's been several years so I may have misspoke. It may indeed have been a US Sailing course. In any case, I felt like I got my money's worth.

Mario



capedory252@aol.com

[Chip Gavin]

I had a very good and inexpensive experience at Southern Maine Technical College's sailing program and don't overlook a U.S. Power Squadron classes. Both are very inexpensive and great starting places. If you have more experience, get yourself aboard a racing crew next summer. You learn a lot in a hurry. It's a very inexpensive way to learn lots and have fun, too. The Gulf of Maine Ocean Racing Association runs a crew match system and are a big help. They have a web site.
If you are looking for a costlier more vacation-like option, try the School of Ocean Sailing, based in Portland or thereabouts.
Good luck.
- Chip Gavin

Do any of the New Englanders (especially) in this august group have any positive experience with sailing schools, preferably on the Maine coast? There don't seem to be many of them, particularly in the mid-coast and Downeast sections. Alternatively, does anyone have recommendations for schools in the Fr. Myers, Fla. area?? Thanks for any suggestions. Bill Mahan

chipgavin@alum.colby.edu

[Bill Mahan]

Thanks to all for the info. We looked into the Colgate's school - it looked impressive but pricey. I was particularly interested to learn that the Woodenboat School has sailing lessons & I'll look into that. It's a lot closer to home. Thanks again. Bill Mahan



mahan@mint.net