Adult Sailing Instruction

Rochester Yacht Club (RYC) offers United States Sailing Association (USSA) certified sailing instruction to adults (18+), both members and non-members. Two 12-hour sets of lessons on the water offer personalized instruction, giving novices a non-intimidating opportunity to learn the basic skills of sailboat handling and care. Even experienced sailing crew can benefit by learning responsible helmsman ship. Students build confidence and gain experience while learning. Satisfactory completion of the second set provides US SAILING certification-of-competency to skipper a keelboat. This can help wherever one wants to rent or charter a sailboat or become a starter crewmember on any racing sailboat. Private lessons are also available.

These courses introduce you to the life-long joys of sailing. You can learn about the “Rules of the Road”, the language of sailing, an awareness of changing weather, basic principles of sail trim, safety equipment requirements and some basic seamanship skills.

Some non-members joined Rochester Yacht Club, then became involved in our Club racing program and eventually became boat owners. We invite you to sample our hospitality, learn more about sailing, the RYC facilities and our RYC family-oriented membership.

Knowledge + Experience + Confidence = A lifetime of sailing pleasure.

THE CLASSES

LEARN TO SAIL – IDEAL 18 / SONAR

The 12 hours of “Learn to Sail” are a prerequisite for “Basic Keel boat”. They offer beginners, and experienced crew members alike, hands-on sailing experience and confidence to helm a sailboat with the knowledge of the Rules of the Road.

Instruction begins in the boats, on the water, in the first lesson. After about an hour’s orientation you will sail the boat out! You can learn how to rig and secure sails, lines and gear; steer by the wind; trim sails properly; recover an overboard victim; dock and undock your sailboat. You’ll tie the few basic nautical knots, be exposed to nautical terms and can learn the Rules of the Road on the water.

Note: If an experienced crew can demonstrate these skills in the first lesson, he/she may advance directly to the Basic Keel boat lessons without additional charge.

BASIC KEEL BOAT – PEARSON 26

The twelve-hours of “Basic Keel boat” provide experience in a larger boat and teach more advanced skills. You will be exposed to quick-change head sail methods with double halyards, rope clutches, regular and self-tailing winches and winch handles. Gasoline engine operation and safety precautions, plus basic VHF radio procedures are included.

After passing the Basic Keel boat on-water evaluation and the US SAILING multiple-choice written test, you will be deemed competent to sail a small keel boat safely on your own. You earn a Basic Keel boat sticker for your official US SAILING Logbook, certifying your sailing skill level. This can help qualify you to charter sailboats from rental agencies here and abroad. You also receive one year’s US SAILING membership.

PRIVATE LESSONS – IDEAL18/SONAR

Our Certified Instructors may also be booked to provide private lessons, or you may opt for additional sailing time with an instructor if you feel the need, before going for final Keel boat qualification.

SCHEDULING:

For your convenience, the courses are offered mornings, afternoons, and (except Sunday) evenings, starting soon after Memorial Day, continuing through August. In-process classes must be completed by the end of September. After that, weather usually deteriorates, often making sailing instruction unpleasant.

Most classes are planned for three 4-hour lessons in mornings and afternoons, and four 3-hour lessons in the evenings. Other arrangements can be made with your instructor.

Unlike commercial schools, we try to separate lessons by several days, rather than holding them on consecutive days, to offer you time to review appropriate textbook sections between lessons and hopefully to expose you to variations in the weather.

TEXTBOOK:

Our program uses US Sailing’s “Basic Keel boat”. It is very comprehensive, but not overly technical. The text is understandable and includes excellent pictorials of boats, terminology, wind-sail relationships and knots. We suggest that you only skim your copy prior to your lessons. Reviewing appropriate details after each lesson will help clinch your learning experience. The book can be ordered on the registration form and is recommended for Learn to Sail and required for Basic Keel boat.

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT:

Lake Ontario weather is often very different than that on land. In early summer, it is much colder; in fall, it is often warmer. You may be exposed to wind, rain, spray, cold and heat, and strong direct and reflected sunlight. U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets are provided if you don’t have your own; they will be worn at all times while on the water. If you’re uncertain about how to dress, before you go out, ask your instructor about the day’s anticipated weather.

1.      Bring a windbreaker (preferably waterproof) and sweater for layering. Fleece is great!

2.      A cap with a means of securing to your collar. If not fastened, you’ll probably lose it!

3.      Use sunscreen and dark glasses.

4.      Non-marking white rubber-soled shoes are best.

5.      A filled water bottle is also recommended.

6.      A waterproof bag is recommended for personal gear.

7.  No earrings, please; a line could catch…ouch!)