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Performance Sailing

  • 14 hours
  • Advanced
  • Weekends

Take your sailing to the next level with this high-intensity, fast-paced course designed for experienced sailors! Learn optimal sail trim, spinnaker handling, and advanced boat control to maximize speed and performance. Taught on a J/22 with a symmetrical spinnaker, this course offers hands-on experience in every position on the boat, allowing you to refine your skills through real-time practice.

Elevate Your Sailing Performance

This course is for sailors looking to take their skills to the next level and learn about optimal sail trim, symmetrical spinnaker sailing, and generally getting the most speed out of your boat. This is not a learn-to-sail course, participants must be comfortable with all aspects of boat handling, wind awareness, executing smooth tacks and jibes, etc.

This will be an intense and fast-paced course, and you will learn the following skills:

  • sail trim Optimization for the conditions and heading
  • Utilizing jib cars, outhaul, backstay, and traveler to optimize speed and control
  • Reading the water to anticipate changing conditions and responding effectively
  • Spinnaker sailing: Learn to rig, hoist, trim, douse, and jibe a symmetrical spinnaker, while gaining hands-on experience in all boat positions

This is not a racing tactics course, but participants will practice rounding marks, and some fun races will be held for skills practice.

Class Prerequisites

Keelboat handling skills are required - all participants require DSC skipper-level skills, to be capable crew with good helming skills, to have passed the US Sailing Basic Keelboat course, or similar. Please refer to the below skills list to ensure you are ready for this course!

  • Ability to smoothly execute tacks and jibes.
  • Ability to maintain a broad reach course while managing wind gusts and preventing accidental jibes.
  • Knowledge of depowering techniques in high winds.
  • Ability to identify all parts of a keelboat, and to explain the basic functionality of the outhaul, backstay, cunningham, and jib cars.
  • Ability to smoothly depart and dock in all wind conditions

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.

$480/members

$580/non-members

Upcoming Classes

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Waitlist and Cancellation Policy

Waitlist

If the class you want to attend is fully booked, feel free to join the waitlist. We will send an email to the waitlist when a spot becomes available. It is then first come first serve.

Cancellations

Participant Cancellations

Participant cancellations made 14 days or more in advance of the event date will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made 7-13 days in advance of the event date will receive a 50% refund, unless we are able to fill the opening in which case a 100% refund will be issued. Cancellations made within 48 hours to the event will not be refunded unless the opening is filled, in which case a 100% refund will be issued.

The above policy applies to change requests, and we have a $35 Course Change Fee to switch dates or cancel a class with any amount of notice.

The DSC will do its best to find a replacement student for the course.

Please email info@downtownsailing.org to cancel a registration.

DSC Cancellations

If the Downtown Sailing Center cancels your course, you will be rescheduled for another offering at no cost or a refund will be issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of boats are used for classes?

Most courses are taught aboard the DSC's keelboats - either a J/22 or a Sonar. Both have a heavy keel to provide stability and will not tip over during your sail!

Please note that Performance Sailing is only taught aboard J/22s and uses symmetrical spinnakers.

Basic Cruising and Bareboat Cruising courses are taught aboard the DSC's cruising boats, auxiliary-powered vessel between 30' and 40' in length.

Is parking available?

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.

Are there breaks during class?

Our full-day classes return for a lunch break in the middle of each day, but you should plan to be on the water for up to three hours at a stretch.

What do I need to bring?

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 water bottle, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and a great attitude.

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