Courses - Overview

Why take a Large Keelboat course?

A large keelboat is a sailboat which is anywhere from 27 to 38 feet in length. Courses taught for the large keelboat have several advantages over learning on smaller boats.

• Large keelboats offer more stability and comfort, especially in rougher  conditions. Training on these vessels builds confidence and competence in handling adverse weather and sea states.
• Maneuvering and docking a large keelboat can be challenging due to its size and weight. Training on a large boat helps sailors develop the skills necessary to handle these situations safely and efficiently.
• If you are planning to charter or own large sailboats, training on a  similar-sized boat provides the relevant experience. 

This 4.5 day on the water training course provides a solid introduction to cruising an 8-12 metre sailboat. Students learn to handle the boat under power and under sail with a focus on the basic tenets of being a skipper: communication, responsibility and good seamanship. 

The course is taught in Vancouver's English Bay and the Gulf Islands near Ladysmith. This course is taught dockside, which means leaving the dock in the morning and returning each evening. Lunch is aboard, usually at anchor. 

Online study is 15-20 hours and must be completed prior to starting the sail training. 

If you are looking to find out about sailing, but are not sure that you want to buy a boat just yet, then this course is a good place to start. 

This course introduces you to sailing as a skipper and as crew. 

This 3 day on the water course is a great way to learn the responsibilities and gain the skills of handling a sailing vessel in coastal waters. 

Online study is 10-15 hours and must be completed prior to starting the sail training. 

Why be Qualified Crew when you can be the Skipper?

Not everyone needs to be the skipper! 

Being crew is actually a very engaging position on the boat. Crew manage all the tasks and can take on the maneuverability of the vessel at a moment's notice. 

If you are looking to sail on a boat as crew without the responsibility of being the skipper, then this is the place to begin. 

This 2 day course gives students the opportunity to take on the tasks of boat operation under sail and under power on a  27 foot sailboat, captained by Sinead Sprigg.

This course is taught dockside, which means leaving the dock in the morning and returning each evening. Lunch is aboard, usually at anchor.

Online study is 5-10 hours and must be completed prior to starting the sail training.