Intro to Coastal Cruising

Introducing ZEPHYR!

ZEPHYR is a 1983 C & C 32, which has been generously donated to SailMaine. She is a classic performance cruiser which has been lovingly cared for and maintained. She is fully equipped with updated sails, electronics, and rigging. We will be utilizing her to offer custom charters and an Introduction to Coastal Cruising program!

Prereq note: It is required that participants in the Introduction to Cruising program be certified as SailMaine J22 skippers or can demonstrate a similar proficiency. This program is not intended as sailing instruction per se, and does not offer any level of certification or verification of skills. It is a strictly introductory and familiarization program.

Classes will only run with 3+ participants. Maximum 4 participants. Class WILL NOT RUN with only 2 participants. To guarantee a class will run, please pick a slot in which 2 or more tickets have been already sold. Class must have 3+ people 48hrs before class time to run. We will sail in light rain, but not in heavy rain or high winds. For bad weather cancellations you will recieve a full refund. THIS IS AN 8HR, FULL DAY CLASS.

This program is intended to familiarize sailors experienced in smaller keel boats with the skills and systems knowledge to pursue an interest in Coastal Cruising. It will be a ten hour day with lots to cover! You will start out learning about all of the necessary systems and procedures that make cruising safe and fun so you can enjoy your adventure. This will include topics such as understanding weather forecasts and how they impact your itinerary, the importance of pump systems, distress signaling, the use of running lights, and more.

While underway, you will be introduced to the basics of chart and electronic navigation, how to understand and determine coordinates, a two point fix, compass card, chart plotter, and radar and VHF radio operation. You will be introduced to various systems such as the marine diesel motor, its operation and maintenance, marine DC and AC electrical systems, and the boats fresh and wastewater systems. In addition to all of that, proper procedures for boarding, docking, and anchoring will be demonstrated and discussed, as well as the use of dinghies and their propulsion systems. But most importantly (after safety of course), we’ll have fun sailing and learning together! There will be plenty of opportunities for participants to try their hand at various skills, as each class size will be limited to a maximum of four sailors.

Due to having 3+ people in each lesson we have a STRICT cancellation/rescheduling policy.

Participant cancellation policy:

• Cancel more than 1 week before lesson: 100% refund
• Cancel week of lesson: 50% refund
• Cancel day of lesson: NO REFUND

Participant RESCHEDULE policy:

• Reschedule more than 1 week before lesson - no fee
• Reschedule week of lesson: $50 reschedule fee
• You cannot reschedule less than 48hrs before your class (no refund)