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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:
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
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.
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.
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!
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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