Sailing Lessons in MD, which school??

jobrantley · #1 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007

Hi am new to the forum.
I am interested in doing some live aboard sailing/cruising lessons over about 5-7 days. About 6 years ago I took the basic small boat weekend class and then a five day/night class on a 37' O'day with Annapolis Sailing School. I never recieved any certifications though.
Since my time on the water has been very limited since then, I would like to take another course, like I mentioned above, live aboard, and about 5-7 days/nights.
I was looking into using Annapolis Sailing School again but also found information on Upper Bay Sailing School in Worton, MD and MD School of Sailing and Seamanship.
Do you have any comments good or bad about these schools or any other recommendations or advice? I live in Warrenton, VA.

thanks for your help,
jon

SailinJay · #2 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007

There is another sailing school in Annapolis, Chesapeake Sailing School, that offers the type of course you're interested in. Here's the website:

Chesapeake Sailing School, learn to sail at the Chesapeake Bay's leading ASA affiliated sailing school in Annapolis, Maryland

jobrantley · #3 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007

Thank you Sailanjay. Do you have first hand experience with this school or know someone that has?

thanks again,
jon

SailinJay · #4 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007

Jobrantley--

I took my basic and intermediate courses at this school back in October 1991. They use Tanzer 22s for these courses. Former students can charter the Tanzers for day sails and I did that for seven years before acquiring my first boat, a Catalina 22. I had a first-rate instructor and the rest of the staff were very friendly and easy to deal with.

I don't know much about other classes they have, or the boats used, but suggested CSS as another option for you to consider. They are located on Bembe Beach Road in the Port Annapolis Marina complex. Edgewater Road off of Bay Ridge turns into Bembe Beach after you go past Bert Jabin's.

PalmettoSailor · #5 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobrantley

Hi am new to the forum.
I am interested in doing some live aboard sailing/cruising lessons over about 5-7 days. About 6 years ago I took the basic small boat weekend class and then a five day/night class on a 37' O'day with Annapolis Sailing School. I never recieved any certifications though.
Since my time on the water has been very limited since then, I would like to take another course, like I mentioned above, live aboard, and about 5-7 days/nights.
I was looking into using Annapolis Sailing School again but also found information on Upper Bay Sailing School in Worton, MD and MD School of Sailing and Seamanship.
Do you have any comments good or bad about these schools or any other recommendations or advice? I live in Warrenton, VA.

thanks for your help,
jon

Living in Warrenton I'd say you should also consider the VA side of the Bay, specfically Deltaville. I'm not sure if Norton's offers live aboard courses but they do have a sailing school. www.nortonyachts.com. They are a Hunter Dealer and use various Hunters for their classes. Ignoring arguing the pros and cons of the boats they sell, I have heard nothing but good about the dealership. Given my limited experince with yacht brokers that in itself is a rare thing.

Also, Fishing Bay Yacht Club offers opportunites to crew if you want to try to get some experince that way. Fishing Bay Yacht Club: Main It is a really nice place and they actively seek people to come crew with their Offshore division and have recently started doing the same with the smaller boats. Get signed up and let them know you want to come sailing. Even if no boats are posting for crew, they'll find you a boat if you show up. I've heard them brag they've never left willing crew at the dock. Its a great way to meet people and sail on some different boats.

Good Luck.

dwilbar · #6 (**permalink**) 12-29-2007

Commercial posts not permitted. - Cam

chef2sail · #7 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007

Jon,

I have taken the offshore course at the Annapllis Sailing School and also enrolled my wife in it for this year. I thnk you would find it challenging and interesting and it would help improve your skills as it did mine.

Also finding a group where you might be able to crew once in a while while racing would given you on the water experience with others to ask questions of as well as help refine your sail handing and tactical skills.

I am up the Bay from you in Rock Creek off the Patapsco (Baltimore)

Fair winds,

Dave

SailinJay · #8 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007

Chef--

This thread is over six months old. Doubt if the guy is still monitoring it for responses.

eau-de-vie · #9 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008

I don't think there are too many bad ones in the Annapolis / Rock Hall area. Don't want to advertise a specific one here but check out their certifications and ask for references. You may also want to go to boat shows and check them out there.

SailSolomons · #10 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008

Hi Jon, if you're interested in cruising courses you really want to go with ASA schools. They provide a better structure than US sailing schools who focus mostly on racing. You should go to the ASA website and search on find a school in Maryland for a list of schools on the Chesapeake. I recommend you look for schools that teach to 106 standard or beyond and those that have cruising size boats.

As an instructor I'd be happyto advise you further.

Andy