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Sailing Schools in Houston Area

8K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  Muaz 
#1 ·
Hey Guys and Gals....I'm looking for a sailing school in the Houston area, Kemah, Clear Lake, Seabrook etc. to do an ASA school throught the Bareboat level. I've owned and sailed a 22' Catalina around lakes in the Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas areas for about 10 years, but I have no saltwater experience outside of a couple of day rentals in San Diego of a like boat bobbing around in the bay. I'm looking to further my education with the goal of rentals in the Galveston Bay area as well as San Franciso Bay area (family).

Does anyone have any suggestions of schools to get into or ones to avoid in the Galveston Bay area?

BTW I've looked at lots of websites of schools in the area and many of them look quite good, but its hard to tell from a website.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance.....:)
 
#2 ·
Welcome to Sailnet. I'd recommend you read the post in my signature to help you get the most out of your time here. :) Can't recommend any schools in that area, but CD will be along in a bit and he can help, since he's from Texas.
 
#5 ·
Take a drive over to Kemah/Seabrook some Saturday, go to Watergate Marina, lots of boat brokers, talk to them - they have a lot of local knowledge about schools, marinas, etc. Then go eat some great seafood - not far South of Watergate is a great nice little place - Joe Lee's (it was Joe Lee's on the Creek) until about 20-years ago when a hurricane wiped them out - now they are a bit inland).
 
#6 ·
a great school

in 2000 or so a friend and i went to windward sailing in clear lake - now part of the issue is the captain - we had a guy who worked for nasa and was a great teacher - i had never been on a sailboat before and he really taught us how to sail -
as information after a couple of more lessons at a school in fla and some charting in ct - i bought boat 3 years later - a jeanneau ds40 and now am a full time cruiser
take a hard look at windward and see if the guy who works with the shuttle arm is still teaching there - he had some health issues so he may not be there any longer -
as caution - if you are going to take a female with you make it very clear up front that any nonsense on talking down to her and not treating as an equal - ran into a guy who went to a school in fla and the instructor made his wife feel as if he did not want her on the water - result is he failed her and she is giving up on sailing -
just my thoughts
chuck and svsoulmates
ki4sry
in new bern for 6 more days
 
#7 ·
Thanks another ton guys. I think I have narrowed it down between Windard and Bay Area. I think a road trip is in my future. TejasSailors link above was some good info about Bay Area and Chuck offers some sound advice.

johnshasteen, you gotta know a Louisiana boy do luv his seafood. More good sound advice on taking the tour and asking questions. Thanks yet another ton. Isn't that three tons now? :)
 
#9 ·
Completed the 103/104 combo at Bay Area (Sacketts) this last weekend it was a great course, and as I already had some saling experience they recommended that I challenge out the 101 course - this saved me a couple of hundred dollars and was the rght thing to do.

My instructor was Tony who taught us on his own boat a Pearson 385 - we were a small class (only 2) and I am female and didn't feel I was treated any different than the guy on my course.

I can definitely recommend Bay Area
 
#10 · (Edited)
I called Bay Area yesterday and have it all set up. I'm not going to challenge the 101 course since it has been so long since I've been on the water. I start next weekend with the 101 and a couple of weeks later with the Combo. I feel like a kid waiting to start school...... :) albeit a balding kid .... You guys and gals sealed the deal....Thanks!!
 
#11 ·
Just returned from the Sacketts and Bay Area Sailing from a weekend course of ASA 101 Basic Keel Boat. It was wonderful. The instructor on my boat, Andy was great as well as Joe, Tony, and the other instructors I met on the other class boats. Because we had three boats in the water both days we were able to do allot, and experience rules of the road first hand in just about every possible way. The course is a boat load of information, but these guys made it fun and educational.

I highly recommend these folks. I'm back down there in a couple of weeks to continue my training.

Johnshasteen, thanks for the tip on Joe Lee's....It was great.

Kymbie, Tony is a hoot. He wasn't on my boat, but I did get a chance to chat with him several times, and he's already chatted with me about the 103/104 class. We had several women taking the class this weekend and they were all treated the same as anyone by both the instructors (including Andy, our instructor) and by the other students.

Again, Bay Area Sailing, is a really good place. 5 stars in my book!
 
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