Association Forum - Recommendation for a Sailing School (Galveston?)

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Recommendation for a Sailing School (Galveston?)

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Arlington
Navigator

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USA
196 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/03/2012 : 22:39:59

I have looked through the posts and studied the websites for at least 6 schools. But how can you sort them out? What does a good school look like?

I want to complete an <i>ASA or US Sailing Coastal Cruising class or classes</i> this fall/winter to enable us to survive sailing next June from Port Isabel to Key West along the Gulf Coast (or within the ICW when along the coast is not feasible).

Any advise or suggestions would be most appreciated.
Doug

God created the Seas as a blessing to Sailors.
Doug, Jenny & First Mate Taylor, Arlington TX
No. 5842 "Promise"�
1989 C25, TR/WK, Inboard Diesel,
1995 Stratos 278, 115 HP Evinrude
1978 14' Dolphin Sr.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2012 : 06:06:18

About the best way I know of is to ask around on the docks at a local sailing club. Everyone will have opinions, some stronger than others. If there is a local boat show, many of teh schools will be there recruiting students. Then you can talk to teh folks running the outfit and see if you are comfortable with them, but beware, the owners may not be the instructors.

Also with many of the instructors being college kids working for a few summers, you may have inconsistent results from one year to the next with the same school.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2012 : 06:35:51

<u>Practical Sailor</u> Dec., 2010: "if you’re looking into ASA- or USS-certified schools, ask what standards will be taught in a specific class. Both associations certify schools based on specific teaching criteria and the school’s must meet specific standards in their curriculum. According to Nobles, the ASA and US Sailing standards are very similar; one is not inherently better than the other. The ASA program is more focused on the lifestyle aspect of sailing, he said, while many US Sailing schools focus more on performance and competitive sailing."

The article is a good overview, but none of the top 8 that were discussed were in Texas. The factors stressed were experience of instructors, quality of instruction, and helm time. They also suggest that taking the courses sequentially with practice in between will provide the most effective learning, as opposed to a short, intensive combination course. Talk to local graduates of the various schools.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 09/04/2012 06:36:22

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.