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Sewing Basics and Sailrite Machine Orientation
Are you interested in helping with the Canvas Committee this year, but have never used a sewing machine? This hands-on event will teach you the basics of sewing using a Sailrite sewing machine.
We will cover:
This event will be held in the Liberty Room, on the 3rd floor of the brick building along Key Highway. You'll receive an email on the day of the class with building entry instructions.
If the event is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!
Coastal Navigation: US Sailing Certification Course
**Feb 10 will be the makeup date if any of the scheduled days are canceled due to weather
NOTE: Every student will require plotting tools for this course. We recommend the Weems & Plath brand as those are the best for accuracy - and accuracy is critical! The tools are available at Weems & Plath, West Marine, Amazon, and elsewhere.
Required tools are:
Optional: TSD circular slide rule
Description
This course, taught by certified US Sailing instructors, will teach you the art of traditional navigation techniques, and how to integrate electronic navigation tools into your planning. There are no prerequisites and this hands-on course will allow you to immediately apply the material.
Each student will receive a copy of the US Sailing Coastal Navigation Student Book and a full-size chart for plotting exercises. Everyone that passes the exam will receive a sticker for your US Sailing log book.
The course takes place over 4 evening sessions, with a 5th evening for the (optional) certification exam.
You will learn the following practical skills:
Determine the Latitude and Longitude of a position.
How to plot a course on a chart, using the true and magnetic compass roses and applying variation and deviation correctly.
Measure distance on a chart with and without a bar scale.
How to plot a Dead Reckoning (DR) course; a course corrected for leeway; a running fix; a fix; a danger bearing; ranges.
How to use published reference material, including the Local Notice to Mariners, Chart #1, a Coast Pilot and Cruising Guide, and a Light List
Determine the height of tide and direction and strength of current at any time or location. Learn how to determine a course to steer given the set and drift of the current.
How to integrate electronic information with traditional navigation techniques.
And more!
The class will be held in the Liberty Room, on the 3rd floor of the brick building along Key Highway. You'll receive an email on the day of the class with building entry instructions.
If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!
Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).
FULL PAYMENT IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR THIS COURSE. SPACE IS LIMITED.
Better Navigation With the Navionics App: Hands-On Seminar
This will be a virtual event.
NOTE: Prior to the seminar, you must install the Navionics app onto your smartphone or tablet and have the device on-hand during the seminar. We recommend subscribing to the US and Canada charts in the app ($49.99/year), but this is not required.
Do you want to learn to use your smartphone for navigation on the water? This hands-on seminar will provide you with an overview of the basic features of the Navionics App for smartphones and tablets.
Navionics is a powerful tool to have for trip planning and for navigational use while sailing, but it is important to understand how to use it properly to get the full benefit from the app. You’ll use your device during the seminar to see its practical application.
Some of the topics and features that will be covered in this seminar are:
The class will be virtual. You will receive an email with the link on the day of the course.
The DSC is holding an instructor training and review for all returning and new instructors.
*If you're not currently an instructor but are interested in becoming one, please see job description here and, if you meet the qualifications, email laura@downtownsailing.org for more information.*
Training will begin promptly at 9am, so please plan to arrive a few minutes early to pick up your training materials. There will be a lunch break around noon, and we will wrap up no later than 4pm.
An agenda is forthcoming, and the main topics will be:
Have you always wanted to learn how to sail? Do you want to become a capable and confident crew member at the Downtown Sailing Center? If you said YES, Introduction to Sailing is the course for you!
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. During this course, you will learn the following:
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 learn to drive the boat and trim the sails.
If you have sailing experience but are rusty or did not learn from professionals, we strongly recommend taking this course. Our curriculum is guided by US Sailing materials and you will learn proper and safe sailing techniques.
Please note that there is a firm administrative course change/cancellation fee of $35 per course for switching dates or cancelling. Full cancellation policy is on the FAQ page, located here - please read carefully as refunds are not guaranteed for cancellation within 14 days of class start date.
This is an Adult Education course, and all participants must be at least 16 years of age. To enquire about family-based sailing education options, contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org).
The two-day course takes place from 9am - 4pm each day, with a lunch break in the middle of the day - you can bring your lunch or there will be time to go out to a local fast-food spot. You must be available for the full timeframe as the boats will spend the majority of the day on the water.
This course is taught aboard the DSC’s keelboats, and you’ll sail on either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!
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. The restroom onsite is a port-a-potty.
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 full water bottle, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and a great attitude.
Have you ever thought, "I've always wanted to try sailing…"? If the answer is YES, then the DSC’s 3-hour Taste of Sailing course is for you!
This experience-based course will teach you the basics of helming a sailboat, trimming sails, and will introduce you to some cool nautical lingo. We believe in “learning by doing”, so the majority of your time will be spent on the water with one of our experienced instructors.
You’ll learn while sailing around Baltimore’s beautiful waterfront and have the opportunity to experience the city in a whole new way!
Each boat will have a maximum of 4 students, so there will be plenty of opportunities to try your hand at the tiller, handle the sails, or just sit back and take in the sights.
We welcome everyone from the solo sailor (we’ll pair you up with a group!) to family groups. This is a great opportunity for an educational family outing that can be enjoyed by all. We require that children be at least 7 years of age. If your group size is larger than 4, please contact us (email info@downtownsailing.org) for options.
This course is taught aboard our Sonar class keelboats. These 23' boats have a large cockpit and heavy keel to provide stability. They are specifically made to not tip over, so you don't need to worry!
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.
Please see our Adult Ed FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy.
The on-site bathroom is a port-a-potty.
If the event is full, you may add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up or we are able to add more boats.
Payment is due at the time of registration to reserve your spot - space is limited so don't delay!
This 3.5 hour workshop is ideal for the competent crew member looking to learn to plan and execute a departure from and return to the dock under sail in a small keelboat.
You will learn the procedures for departing and docking under different wind directions - upwind, crosswind, and downwind - and will get to practice each of them multiple times with coaching from a skilled instructor. You will also learn how to create a backup plan in case your approach does not work out as anticipated.
The workshop will begin on land with a chalk talk describing each approach, and you will spend the majority of the time on the water practicing. You’ll receive a handout describing the different approaches for future reference.
Prior to attending this workshop, you should feel comfortable with the below skills:
During this event, you will learn:
The course is 3.5 hours in length without a meal break. You must be available for the full timeframe as the boats will spend the majority of the session on the water.
Women on the Water (WOW)
An all-volunteer effort to increase access to sailing for all women and non-binary people.
We welcome beginners at WOW events! If you are interested in learning more about sailing or getting introduced to sailing, please join as a beginner on WOW Mondays.
WOW events are educational, and boat groups will be formed so that each boat has a skilled skipper aboard. Skippers, we'll make sure you have an experienced crew aboard with you if desired!
If you are already checked out as a DSC skipper, please sign up to volunteer skipper. This will allow you to develop your skills while boosting other women. We cannot run this program without your support!
WOW will take place on the first and third Mondays during the season.
The Downtown Sailing Center welcomes women and non-binary people of all skills and experience levels to participate with us, including non-DSC-members.
A small fee for nonmembers of $35/session helps us maintain our boats. If you think you will be attending multiple events, please consider joining as a member of the DSC! (If you join after attending a WOW event, we'll return your $35 in the form of a membership discount!)
If you have further questions, email info@downtownsailing.org
Introduction to Sailing Weekday Course
Thursday & Friday (9am-4pm)
Intermediate Sailing (Level 2): Keelboat Skipper Skill Building
Weekend Course - Saturday & Sunday (9am-4pm)
Are you looking to take your sailing skills to the next level? This intermediate-level course is for competent crew looking to advance their skills in boat-handling. This course is ideal for those with solid crewing skills (see below) who are looking to skipper a small keelboat - the skills learned in this course are tested during the DSC Skipper Checkout.
During this fast-paced course, you will learn how to:
If you're not sure if this is the right class for you, our Adult Education Manager would be happy to answer your questions - email lessons@downtownsailing.org to set up a call.
Monday & Tuesday (9am-4pm)
Wednesday through Sunday (9am-4pm daily)
The US Sailing Basic Keelboat course is an intensive course designed to teach you all aspects of handling a keelboat, including sailing technique, water safety (including rescuing a person in the water), knots, vocabulary, and an introduction to weather. This is a nationally recognized certification course which, once completed, will allow you to progress to more advanced US Sailing courses including Basic Cruising and Bareboat Cruising.
Please read this page thoroughly to decide if this course is right for you, and if so, which option is best for you. This 5-day schedule is our fastest-paced option, and is best suited for those with some sailing experience.
The course culminates with written and practical exams, and in order to earn the Basic Keelboat Certification, each student must successfully demonstrate the ability to responsibly skipper and crew a simple daysailing keelboat in familiar waters in light to moderate wind and sea conditions. The skills tested are listed here.
Each student will receive a copy of the US Sailing Basic Keelboat textbook. Upon successful completion of the exams, students will receive a logbook, sticker, and one-year US Sailing membership.
The 5-day course takes place from 9am - 4pm each day, with a lunch break in the middle of the day - you can bring your lunch or there will be time to go out to a local fast-food spot. You must be available for the full timeframe as the boats will spend the majority of the day on the water.
8:30AM - 5PM each day for class
(Note that this course will take place at Markley's Marina in Essex, MD)
Ever dreamed of chartering or owning your own cruising sailboat?
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.
You will learn to prepare the boat for sailing and complete a thorough systems check, safely depart from the dock under engine power, learn crew communication skills, practice boat control in confined waters, raising the sails, rescuing an overboard crew, and returning to the dock. You'll also learn anchoring procedures, safety and emergency protocols, and basic navigation.
Participants need to have successfully completed the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification in order to qualify for the Basic Cruising Certification.
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.
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.
Are you interested in learning to sail with a symmetrical spinnaker? This event is intended for sailors who are already competent crew with the main and jib and interested in further developing their skills with the "third sail". This course will be taught aboard our J22 keelboats.
During this workshop, you will learn:
Each student will be exposed to the different crew positions on the boat while flying - foredeck, pit, and trim.
Prior to attending this workshop, you should feel comfortable with the below skills as this is not a beginner course:
DSC staff will carefully monitor the wind conditions for this event, and will reschedule if the winds are not conducive for beginning spinnaker training.
This 3.5 hour workshop is ideal for the competent crew member looking to learn to execute a Person Overboard Recovery (a required skill for the DSC Skipper Checkout).
You will learn the procedure for the Quick Stop Person Overboard crew recovery and will practice it multiple times. This course will include a discussion of the safety equipment available on DSC keelboats that is useful in a crew overboard situation and a discussion of how to help the crew back onboard the boat. You will also discuss procedures for making an emergency call over the VHF radio.
The workshop will begin on land with a chalk talk outlining the process, and you will spend the majority of the time on the water practicing. You’ll receive a handout diagramming the maneuver for future reference.
Finally, you will also be exposed to the Figure 8 Person Overboard method, a second way of returning to the person in the water under sail.
Advanced Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification Completion Weekend Course
Saturday & Sunday (9am-4pm)
Are you looking to round off your sailing education with the US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification? Are you already a competent sailor, with the ability to smoothly execute dockings & departures under sail, the Figure 8 POB, and the Quick Stop?
This advanced-level course is for those who have successfully completed the Level 1 and 2 courses at the DSC and have had adequate practice time to solidify skills. This course will complete the Basic Keelboat curriculum on Day 1, and on Day 2 you will complete the US Sailing Basic Keelboat written and practical exams.
To decide if you are ready for this class, please review the following questions - if you can say YES to all of them, this is a great time for you to take this class! This is not a class to be taken immediately after the Intermediate Sailing course - practice time in between is required to make sure you get the most out of this Advanced level class. In particular, you MUST be able to execute both types of POBs and dock smoothly under all wind conditions. These skills will not be practiced in this course, but you WILL be tested on them during Day 2.
For those who have not taken the Level 1 and 2 courses at the DSC, if you can answer all of the above questions affirmatively, you are welcome to join us! If you have any questions as to your readiness and wish to consult with the Adult Education Manager, please email lessons@downtownsailing.org to set up a call.
If you have taken both Level 1 and Level 2 at the DSC, we will discount your cost of this course so that the total cost of this self-paced Basic Keelboat option is the same as the 5 or 6 day option. Please email lessons@downtownsailing.org if this applies to you.
Skipper Skills Clinic
WOW is growing, and we need more women and non-binary skippers to help ensure the success of this program!
This skipper skills clinic is for women/non-binary DSC members with their sights set on skipperhood! If you have learned the basics of tacking, jibiing, and wind awareness - come out to practice the more advanced skills and get ready for YOUR skipper check out!
Beginner or not interested in becoming a skipper? That's ok and our next general WOW sail is on June 1!
The Downtown Sailing Center welcomes women and non-binary people of all skills and experience levels to participate with us.
Weekday Course - Thursday and Friday (9am-4pm)
Saturday/Sunday over 3 Weekends (6 Days, 9am-4pm daily)
Please read this page thoroughly to decide if this course is right for you, and if so, which option is best for you. This 6-day schedule is our medium-pace option, and is best suited for those with at least a little bit of sailing experience.
BIPOC Sailing
An effort to increase access to sailing for all BIPOC identifying people.
We welcome beginners at this event! If you are interested in learning more about sailing or getting introduced to sailing, please join!
This event will be educational, and boat groups will be formed so that each boat has a skilled skipper aboard. We recommend arriving a few minutes early to mingle with other sailors!
Please wear close-toed shoes and bring a full water bottle. Life jackets will be provided.
If you are already checked out as a DSC skipper, please sign up to volunteer skipper. This will allow you to develop your skills while boosting other sailors. Skippers need not identify as BIPOC :)
The Downtown Sailing Center welcomes BIPOC identifying people of all skills and experience levels to participate with us, including non-DSC-members.
A small fee for non DSC members of $35 helps us maintain our boats and hire instructors for the event.
Registration will open 2 weeks prior to the event.
The four-evening course takes place from 5pm - 8pm each day. You must be available for the full timeframe as the boats will spend the majority of the day on the water.
Beginner or not interested in becoming a skipper? That's ok and our next general WOW sail is on July 6!
Beginner or not interested in becoming a skipper? That's ok and our next general WOW sail is on August 3!
Beginner or not interested in becoming a skipper? That's ok and our next general WOW sail is on August 31!
Wednesday & Thursday (9am-4pm)
Beginner or not interested in becoming a skipper? That's ok and our our general WOW sails will start again in April 2027!
The Downtown Sailing Center
1425 Key Highway, Suite 110, Baltimore, MD 21230(410) 727-0722 • info@downtownsailing.org
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