US SAILING Cruising Certifications

Think you’re ready to try your hand at sailing something larger than a Sonar? Been involved in the cruising program for a while, but want to "certify" your cruising skills?  Looking for a pathway to becoming a cruising skipper that is built around more structured education?

The Downtown Sailing Center (DSC) offers two us sailing cruising certification courses: basic cruising and bareboat cruising. each five-day, four-night course — which combines both certification courses* — offers students the chance to learn in a real-world environment aboard one of our cruising boats. 

Students learn basic coastal navigation, steering, sail trim, proper use of a VHF radio and a variety of other skills.

Upon successful completion:

• "The Basic Cruising graduate will have successfully demonstrated the ability to responsibly skipper and crew an auxiliary powered cruising sailboat, during daylight hours, within sight of land in moderate wind and sea conditions."¹
  
  
• "The Bareboat Cruising graduate will have successfully demonstrated the ability to skipper and crew an inboard auxiliary powered cruising sailboat within sight of land and bring it safely to anchor during daylight hours."²

^{1, 2}United States Sailing Association (1999). Student Certification Standards: The National Standard for Quality Sailing Instruction. Portsmouth, RI: US SAILING.