Our season starts in Spring and classes meet at the Port Angeles Yacht Club, 1305 Marine Drive, Port Angeles, WA (360-457-4132).
Time is divided between “classroom” and “on the water” instruction. All instructors are licensed Coast Guard Captains and registered with the United States Sailing Association. In good weather, we sail. In poor weather, we are forced into the classroom. Life vests are provided; however, you may bring your own. The weather is changeable so be sure to bring layers in case the weather cools.
Time is divided between “classroom” and “on the water” instruction. All instructors are licensed Coast Guard Captains and registered with the United States Sailing Association. In good weather, we sail. In poor weather, we are forced into the classroom. Life vests are provided; however, you may bring your own. The weather is changeable so be sure to bring layers in case the weather cools.
Courses Offered
Basic Keelboat Level 1
Learn parts of the boat, points of sail, sail theory, sailing windward and downwind, steering, and basic knots. Also included will be safety on the water and crew overboard practice drills. (15 hours total instruction time)
Price: $375
Learn parts of the boat, points of sail, sail theory, sailing windward and downwind, steering, and basic knots. Also included will be safety on the water and crew overboard practice drills. (15 hours total instruction time)
Price: $375
- April Session: 4/26-4/26 Fri 3-6PM, Sat/Sun 9AM-3PM
- June Session: 6/21-6/23 Fri 3-6PM, Sat/Sun 9AM-3PM
- July Session: 7/19-7/21 Fri 3-6PM, Sat/Sun 9AM-3PM
- August Session: 8/23-8/25 Fri 3-6PM, Sat/Sun 9AM-3PM
NEW for the 2024 Season. Once a month adult dinghy.
The program will primarily use the Vanguard 15's so wetsuits and lifejackets are required. There will be little to no teaching, so it is expected that at least skippers have some experience sailing.
A certified instructor will be on hand in a safety vessel to assist, and if there is some interest a course will be configured for short races. Note: If the weather is inclement (Small Craft) the session may be cancelled.
Session Dates:
The program will primarily use the Vanguard 15's so wetsuits and lifejackets are required. There will be little to no teaching, so it is expected that at least skippers have some experience sailing.
A certified instructor will be on hand in a safety vessel to assist, and if there is some interest a course will be configured for short races. Note: If the weather is inclement (Small Craft) the session may be cancelled.
Session Dates:
- May 19th
- June 16th
- July 28th
- August 18th
- September 22nd
Women's Sailing
Taught BY women FOR women.
Private Instruction
We offer one-on-one instruction with our US Sailing certified instructors. Focus on what you want, learn at your own pace. Scheduling will depend on boat and instructor availability.
Price: $75/hr per person 2-hour minimum.
Contact us for scheduling options
We offer one-on-one instruction with our US Sailing certified instructors. Focus on what you want, learn at your own pace. Scheduling will depend on boat and instructor availability.
Price: $75/hr per person 2-hour minimum.
Contact us for scheduling options
What our students have to say...
Thank you for being so patient while I explored my limited sailing knowledge. I learned much more than I thought I would ;-) - Student, June 2017 |
It was amazing how calm he was even when students screwed up big time. It was also very nice that he shared his cell phone number with us, and HE CALLED US with the suggestion we might want to reschedule in order to experience different weather/wind conditions! That was great! - Student, June 2017 |
We actually covered much more than the absolute minimum we might have. So not a complaint, but I would have appreciated just a bit more on proper sail trim (beyond just the tell-tales). - Student, May 2018 |
I was impressed at hiw Keith handled my anxiety getting on the boat to sail by giving me some time and a place to meet them at the boat launch dock in 15 minutes. Just enough time to muster courage to get on. Kind and gracious with my feeling vulnerable. - Student, May 2019 |
My first 2 days were with Keith and the other student had to cancel so I got to have a personal lesson w/ a great instructor. He made me understand sailing on a fundamental level, which is what I was lacking. The winds were calm and made for a great learning environment. Keith was very competent & patient with me out there and he set the tone on how fun sailing is. My next 2 days were with Erik and I really appreciated his approach to teaching in that he slowed it down & made you really think about the knot you were tying and why it worked, what points of sail were more work & attention then others and the seamanship of it all. On the water he was clearly in his element and was also very competent & patient with me even on the last day when the winds were howling and I seemed to have forgotten how to tie a bowline. This was a great experience & I look forward to tapping into this wonderful sailing community you have here in PA. - Student, June 2021
Thank you for communicating what I was doing right and what I needed to work on. I felt very supported. - Women's Sailing Program Student, May 2022 |
This was a great class and Eric did a fantastic job! He let us progress at our own speed and gave us an opportunity to function independently with his supervision. - Student, May 2021 |
I loved each person's different teaching style and appreciated the hands-on experience. Great balance of letting us try to figure things out and giving us all the tools we needed and making sure we were safe on the water. - Student, August 2023 |
Keelboat Level 2
Learn advanced sail trim, tacking, gybing, rules of the road and basic navigation. Also included will be heavy weather sailing tactics, line handling, and docking. (15 hours total instruction time)
Prerequisite: Basic Keelboat Level 1.
Learn advanced sail trim, tacking, gybing, rules of the road and basic navigation. Also included will be heavy weather sailing tactics, line handling, and docking. (15 hours total instruction time)
Prerequisite: Basic Keelboat Level 1.
- August Session: 9th through 11th Fri 3-6PM, Sat/Sun 9AM-3PM
Basic Cruising
This course continues on the knowledge gained in our keelboat courses. Students will continue to learn docking, mooring and anchoring techniques, heavy weather sailing (reefing), overboard rescue, and knowledge of basic boating systems. In addition, the students will plan an overnight trip, provisioning the boat and cooking aboard. This course exposes the student to a benefits of cruising this magnificent area in a safe and structured environment. (15 hours total instruction time)
This course is not currently scheduled. If interested, please contact us for details.
This course continues on the knowledge gained in our keelboat courses. Students will continue to learn docking, mooring and anchoring techniques, heavy weather sailing (reefing), overboard rescue, and knowledge of basic boating systems. In addition, the students will plan an overnight trip, provisioning the boat and cooking aboard. This course exposes the student to a benefits of cruising this magnificent area in a safe and structured environment. (15 hours total instruction time)
This course is not currently scheduled. If interested, please contact us for details.
Overnight Cruise
This course executes the plan drafted in Basic Cruising. Pricing will depend on destination and duration of the cruise, vessel and instructor.
This course is not currently scheduled. If interested, please contact us for details.
This course executes the plan drafted in Basic Cruising. Pricing will depend on destination and duration of the cruise, vessel and instructor.
This course is not currently scheduled. If interested, please contact us for details.