Baltimore Inner Harbor

[lans0012]

Gang,

I had a co-worker friend on my boat in Tampa Bay this weekend and he really liked sailing.

He lives near the Inner Harbor in Balitmore and said he was going to look around for a sailing club or something to learn how to sail. He's originally from MN and didn't realize he's close to the sailing mecca of the east coast. I told him there must be some club races or a sailing center that has day boats or something.

Can anyone point me or him in the right direction? He's looking for a sailing center or something affordable or maybe just to get out as rail meat. Are there any weekly club races in the area?

[badsanta]

Don't forget to check out Annapolis also as he is so close.
I suggest he look into SOS singles on sailboats, close cheap and a great spring workshop in a few weeks lots of folks and lots of boats to sail.
Pick up the free mag spin sheet

[Brucerobs2]

There are tons of options in the area.

For instructional courses, and if near the Inner Harbor, the easiest option is probably the Downtown Sailing Center in Baltimore (DSC). They have various programs at different levels from dinghy sailing to J24's, racing, cruising boats etc. I know several people that started sailing/racing there and have always spoken highly of it.

If he wants to learn via the racing route, there are all kinds of options as crew as well. I believe DSC also races. And Near Baltimore are Rock Creek, and North Point sailing associations that race every Wednesday nights out beyond the Key Bridge on the Patapsco. GlenMar sailing Assoc. Middle River has a good sized fleet on wednesday nights as well. There is a lot of Racing on the Magothy River, a little further south as well. Then there is Annapolis, which has largest and likely most competitive fleets in the area with racing of some sort most days of the week. There are larger regattas all over the bay all season. There are many more.

SpinSheet magazine hosts a "Crew" party each spring that connects racing crew with captains. If he is interested in racing, it's a good place to start. Walking the docks with a small cooler of beer is always a good way to find a ride as well. Hope this helps.

[DRFerron]

Originally Posted by Brucerobs2

Walking the docks with a small cooler of beer is always a good way to find a ride as well. Hope this helps.

I see this advice given often. Does it really work or are we being facetious and sailing novices are being set up to look silly traipsing up and down a dock waving cans of beer? And if it is done, do you get onto better boats if you take craft beers vs. Bud Light?

(Microbrews work best on our boat. Just sayin'.)

[MastUndSchotbruch]

Originally Posted by Brucerobs2

There are tons of options in the area.

For instructional courses, and if near the Inner Harbor, the easiest option is probably the Downtown Sailing Center in Baltimore (DSC). They have various programs at different levels from dinghy sailing to J24's, racing, cruising boats etc. I know several people that started sailing/racing there and have always spoken highly of it.
...

I second the Downtown Sailing Center, some really great people there.

For the sake of completeness, there is also Getaway sailing, a commercial outfit that offers classes. I believe you can also rent their boats.

[minnow1193]

@ Ians0012- i am a nube living in the tampa bay area looking to get some time on the water while i work on my project Balboa 20'. Would love to get out if possible to learn the ropes. If you ever need a buddy for sailing i will bring the beer.

[travlineasy]

Because I primarily sail on weekdays, the bay's upper reaches are nearly deserted, even on days when the winds are perfect. No one walks down the dock looking for a ride, and the few I see on weekends all know my boat is well stocked with beer, booze and food. Consequently, those that are looking for a ride show up with nothing more than a smile, and maybe a bag of ice.

Donna, when I get back to Rock Hall this summer I'll bring a big batch of Margarettas and some imported lager. My boat is Saturday's Child and was docked at the Sailing Emporium for more than three decades.

Cheers,

Gary

[lans0012]

Thanks Gang for all the info. I forwarded the link to him and it looks like there are plenty of options.

Minnow, I'm considering doing some of the Friday Night Twilight races in St. Pete starting this April, maybe I can hit you up for crew.

[minnow1193]

That would be great. Pm me anytime.

[chrisncate]

Getaway Sailing is not a business that I would recommend. I know the (newish) owner quite well, and the boats are totally unsafe and very poorly maintained.