Community Sailing
There’s no better place to get out on the water than Mystic Seaport. No matter what your skill level, it’s easy to find the right class for you. Our junior and family programs are for beginner and intermediate sailors using JY15s. Competent swimmers ages 15 and older may enroll in adult classes. Classes are taught by experienced sailors who have been certified by the US Sailing Association.
2013 Class Descriptions and Dates:
Adult Sailing
Beginner
For those who have never sailed and have always wanted to learn. You’ll be introduced to the theory of sailing (why and how a boat sails), basic sailing and gear terminology, rigging and de-rigging a Dyer Dhow, equipment stowage and care, personal safety, knots, safety on the dock and on the water, points of sail, small boat handling, basic rules of the road, capsizing and running aground procedures.
- Sundays, April 14-June 2, from 9:30 am-12:30 pm
- Saturday & Sunday, June 29-30, from 9 am-5 pm
- Saturday & Sunday, July 20-21, from 9 am-5 pm
- Saturday & Sunday, August 10-11, from 9 am-5 pm
- Sundays, September 22-November 10, from 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Intermediate
If you are comfortable sailing a small boat alone and have mastered the basic beginner skills, this course is for you. Start with a review of terminology and points of sail then move to learning about safety, sail trim, and proper boat balance. Practice leaving and landing at docks, picking up moorings, man overboard, inland rules of the road, gear failure, wind and current, headers and lifters. Many guided hands-on drills are run designed to improve your boat handling skills.
- Sundays, April 14-June 2, from 1:30-4:30 pm
- Saturday & Sunday, July 6-7, from 9 am-5 pm
- Saturday & Sunday, July 27-28, from 9 am-5 pm
- Saturday & Sunday, August 17-18, from 9 am-5 pm
- Sundays, September 22-November 10, from 1:30-4:30 pm
Youth Sailing
Beginner
These classes build confidence in boat handling through repeated on-the-water practice. Your child will learn the basics of water safety and wind, boat control using the main sheet and tiller, and sailing maneuvers such as tacking and jibing. Taught by experienced, certified instructors.
- Monday-Friday, June 24-28, from 8:30-11:30 am
- Monday-Friday, July 1-5, from 8:30-11:30 am
- Monday-Friday, July 8-12, from 8:30-11:30 am
- Monday-Friday, July 15-19, from 8:30-11:30 am
- Monday-Friday, July 22–26, from 8:30-11:30 am
- Monday-Friday, July 29-August 2, from 8:30-11:30 am
- Monday-Friday, August 5-9, from 8:30-11:30am
- Monday-Friday, August 12-16, from 8:30-11:30 am
- Monday-Friday, August 19-23, from 8:30-11:30 am
Intermediate
These classes refine the basic sailing skills by learning more about how a sailboat reacts to wind and water currents. Sailing savvy is increased through discussions on safety, rule of the road, and upwind and downwind sailing.
- Monday-Friday, July 1-5, from 12:30-3:30 pm
- Monday-Friday, July 8-12, from 12:30-3:30 pm
- Monday-Friday, July 15-19, from 12:30-3:30 pm
- Monday-Friday, July 22-26, from 12:30-3:30 pm
- Monday-Friday, August 5-9, from 12:30-3:30 pm
- Monday-Friday, August 12-16, from 12:30-3:30 pm
- Monday-Friday, August 19-23, from 12:30-3:30 pm
Family Sailing
These classes are designed for children and their parents or grandparents to learn the basics of sailing together.
- Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14, from 9:30 am-12:30 pm
- Saturday-Sunday, August 3-4, from 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Homeschool Sailing (ages 8-14)
Homeschool community sailing programs at Mystic Seaport build confidence in boat handling through on-the-water practice. Learn the basics of boat control (using the main sheet and tiller), rules of the road, and fundamental sailing maneuvers (such as tacking and jibing).
- Fridays, April 19-June 17 (no class June 7), from 9:30 am-12:30 pm
- Fridays, September 20-November 8, from 9:30 am-12:30 pm