Learning to sail and joining the sailing community can be a very rewarding life experience and sailing is a great way to spend your vacations. Learning to sail is easier than most people think and a US Sailing certification from Windworks Sailing & Powerboating is the best way feel confident out on the water.
Windworks is only US Sailing school in Washington offering Basic Keelboat to advanced Passagemaking classes on our own boats. Windworks is the only US Sailing Catamaran courses in Washington on our own boat (One World). Over 260 Google (5) star reviews. Teach US Sailing lessons on newer Capri 22’s (6 in fleet) including 2019 and 2020 Capri 22’s. Plus, 2015 Catalina 275 sport and 2021 Catalina 275 Sport. New too fleet: 2018 Catalina 315, 2019 Catalina 355 and 2020 Catalina 425. Just arrived 2015 Beneteau 37. Over (25) boats in our fleet for members use. Coming this spring brand new 2021 Catalina 385 to our fleet for member use.
US Sailing & Windworks currently offers six levels of certification:
This course is designed for students who have never sailed before and want to learn how to skipper a small keelboat. The skills learned in this class can be built upon with our Basic Cruising and Bareboat Cruising and will eventually certify the student to take larger boats for multi-day charters.
US Sailing’s Basic Keelboat certification is the most comprehensive certification in the market and will give you the ability to responsibly skipper and crew a simple day sailing keelboat in familiar waters in light to moderate wind and sea conditions. The certification is broken into three classes that must be taken in order. Each Basic Keelboat class is (8) hours on newer Capri 22’s. The lowest student-teacher ratio in Northwest. Most time behind the tiller for students.
No Experience required. Students must be 18 years or older. Youth student classes from ages 14 to 17 are available by request, and parent participation is required. Please call office for schedule. (206) 784-9386 (Basic Keelboat 1,2,3 Only).
Basic Keelboat 1:
Basic Keelboat 2 & 3: (Total of Approx. 16 hours)
Learn to sail a cruising keelboat. Cruising keelboats generally have inboard diesel engines, a steering wheel, are set up for multiple day trips and, also, most cruising vessels and include hot and cold water, cooking facilities, sleeping quarters, and private bathrooms with showers. The larger size of the vessel is more comfortable for day sailing, as they can accommodate more passengers.
US Sailing’s Basic Cruising certification is the most comprehensive certification in the market and will give you the confidence to safely sail anywhere in the world and in a variety of weather conditions. The certification is broken into three classes that must be taken in order:
Basic Keelboat Course (3 part series)
BC1, BC2, BC3 Package
You finally made it, gone through all the classes, had sufficient time on the water, and now you are ready to get through the next level. Taking the cruisers out for more than a day sail, that’s what real sailors want, to take her where the wind blows you, and stay aboard anchored in a far away harbor.
The first night you will charter your destination and get provisions for the trip, feel free to stay the night in the marina on your vessel. The group will set sail in the am at the designated time, and be anchored or moored by sunset. The next morning you will set sail again, and take the test on the boat before arriving back to the dock before sunset.
Basic Keelboat and Basic Cruising Certifications
For members, Navigation & Piloting Course(4 Part Series) is required to be taken prior to chartering a WWSC vessel overnight.
Navigation and Piloting class is one of the favorite classroom courses for our members. We’ll teach you all of the critical information needed to navigate our beautiful complex waters of the Salish Sea and Puget Sound. You’ll learn how to interpret the USCG Aids to Navigation (ATON), how to read the navigational charts (maps), calculate tides and currents, estimate fuel burn and bridge clearances, and plan your itineraries. Total of 12 hours of classroom instruction, waterproof Maptech Chartbook, NP workbook, Chart #1, roller plotter
Basic to Bareboat is our most popular course and combines all courses, starting with Basic Keelboat 2 through Bareboat Cruising, into a fun-filled 5-day cruise-and-learn adventure. When complete, you’ll be ready to skipper sailboats, up to 42 feet in length for multiple day trips to destinations in the Puget Sound, San Juan Islands and more.
This course is designed for students who have some basic sailing experience and want to learn how to skipper larger cruising sailboats for multiple days.
US Sailing’s Bareboat certification is the most comprehensive certification in the market and will give you the ability to responsibly skipper and crew a cruising sailboat, up to 42 feet in length in a variety of weather conditions. Over 5 days, you will be taken through the following by a knowledgable captain:
Basic Sailing experience is recommended. Students must be 18 years or older. Please call the office for the schedule. (206) 784-9386.