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 offers Free US Sailing Membership and Free Basic Keelboat Graduate sail ($180 value)*.
*Requires Windworks club membership and all (3) Basic Keelboat classes completed/passed. Free Graduate sail is available Monday – Fridays during Summer Season. Other seasons available any day of week.
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 daysailing 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:
No Experience required. Students must be 18 years or older. Youth student classes from ages 15 to 17 are available during summer months. Please call office for schedule. (206) 784-9386.
Basic Keelboat 1:
Basic Keelboat 2 & 3:
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 Part 3 (BK3) or equivalent
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 Cruising (BC3)
Bareboat cruising also requires Navigation & Piloting Part 1 & 2 for a separate fee $475 for members and $550 for non-members.
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.
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 taken basic Keelboat 1 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 Keelboat Crew (BK1) is required. Students must be 18 years or older. Please call the office for the schedule. (206) 784-9386.