Sailing School - Good Instruction/Instructors

[TheSaltyNarwhal]

I'm planning on doing the first three sailing classes (101, 102 & 103 or 104) this August through either a US Sailing or AMA school, I don't care which.

Does anyone have a school ANYWHERE in the world or US they thought the instructors, instructions and boatss were great at? Looking for folks with great experiences at a sailing school. I only ask because it seems like they vary some, and I'm able to go anywhere for a couple weeks this August.

We're going to be on a 30' Hunter, if that makes any difference in the classes or schools.

Thanks for any input!

Aaron

 

[RuddyDuck]

My wife and I completed 101, 102, 103 & 104 last summer at narragansettsailing.com in Rhode Island. The instructors are great. Two of the boats we used were hunters, a 36 & 41.

Ruddy Duck

 

[Winkfish]

Many years ago, my wife and I took the ASA course (I did Basic Keelboat and Coastal Cruising, my wife did the Basic Keelboat). We did it on a week-long bareboat charter out of St. Vincent & Grenadines. We did it through Barefoot Charters in St. V. Just my wife and I and the instructor. It was FABULOUS!! Instructor was from Oregon, but loved the Grenadines and was very knowledgeable about the area. We made all of the cruising decisions, he just taught us and tested us. Not a cake walk, in fact my wife wanted to get the cruising cert as well, but in the end, he told her honestly it was probably too much for her in the one week. But he was great. We went through a lot, including cooking on the boat, basic engine maintenance, anchoring and pulling out under sail alone, etc. etc. On our way back, the mainsail ripped, so we had to get back to home port under jib alone. Really a great experience.

Whoever you decide to take the course with, try to combine it with a nice vacation, like in the Caribbean. It makes the course stuff MUCH more enjoyable.

 

[sailingseadragon]

Aaron,

Tom Tursi and his team are top notch... I strongly recommend "Maryland School of Sailing and Seamanship". They place a strong emphasis on the "Seamanship" part, more so than other schools I have attended.

http://www.mdschool.com/

Garner

 

[Stan Breaux]

I recommend Emerald Coast Yachts in Pensacola Beach, FL.
http://www.ecsailing.com/

 

[rardiH36]

If anywhere in the US is OK. Certainly consider San Francisco. With the usual heavy wind conditions, learning to sail is a real adventure compared to a location where "wind" might only be in the 5 -10 kt range (or maybe even 0 kts) during the hot days of summer.

Modern Sailing (www.[B]modernsailing[/B].com/) has a very active program and very experienced and enthusiastic instructors.

The ASA 101 and 102 boats are 30-32 ft Catalina's, Erikson's and others. They are on the older side, but well maintained (Modern Sailing has a full time maintenance staff) and clean. And sail well. You can view them on Modern Sailing's "charter fleet" page. They are in the "value" section.