Basic Cruising

Learn the skills to sail and skipper a small keelboat up to 30 feet.  This comprehensive, hands-on, learn to sail course will teach you everything you need to know to get you started in sailing.  Successfully completing this course will give you the skills to sail without needing an instructor onboard.  This course is perfect for the beginner sailor, for dinghy sailors looking to transfer their sailing skills to keelboats or for current sailors looking to refresh their sailing skills or to attain their National certification.

 

Become the confident sailor you’ve always wanted to be with our hands-on learning approach in this Basic Cruising course.  This internationally recognized course is taught by our professionally trained & nationally certified Sail Canada coaches.

OBJECTIVE: To teach you the basic skills and knowledge required to helm (steer) and/or crew on a sailboat of up to 30 feet in length. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to sail safely and efficiently, under sail or power, in moderate wind and sea conditions.

PREREQUISITE: None

What Makes Advantage Boating Different? 

COURSE INCLUDES:

• Instruction by a Sail Canada professionally trained & certified instructor
• Small class size assuring plenty of practical hands-on learning
• Access to our online basic cruising learning materials allowing you to start your course immediately
• A hard copy of the Sail Canada Basic Cruising text book
• Instructor-led online Basic Cruising theory course at no additional cost ($160 value) if you register for a Basic Cruising course before April 30, 2024
• Pleasure Craft Operator Certification card (PCOC; $75 value)
• For Ottawa courses – upon course registration receive an Introductory membership to Britannia Yacht Club and Nepean Sailing Club ($680 value)
• Sail Canada student fee
• Sail Canada Basic Cruising exam, certification & logbook
• Famous “LIVE.LOVE.SAIL.” T-shirt after you write the exam (Value – Priceless!)

 

COURSE OPTIONS & FEES

Quelques un de ces cours son aussi offert en français.  Communiquez avec nous pour obtenir plus des détails.

Daytime, evening and weekend options – Ottawa & Kingston courses:

• A maximum of 4 students per boat can be accommodated
• In Ottawa, courses are taught on our 22 – 24 foot keelboats
• In Kingston, taught on our 30 foot keelboat
• 28 hours of hands-on instruction for groups of  3-4 students
• With 2 students, course becomes a 21 hour semi-private course
• Extra cost if you wish to register specifically as a Semi-Private course

FEES (per person):

• Ottawa:  $935 + HST View Schedule
• Daytime (Kingston):  Contact us to schedule; minimum of 3 students

Live-Aboard course options  –  Kingston & the Caribbean courses:

• A maximum of 4 students per boat can be accommodated
• Offered in Kingston (summer season) or Caribbean (winter season)
• Kingston courses are taught on our 35 Beneteau sailboat over 6 days / 5 nights
• Caribbean courses are taught on a 40 – 45 foot sailboat over 7 days and a minimum of 4 students

NOTE: Our Kingston courses require a minimum of three students to run.  Provisions are not included.

FEES (per person).

• Kingston live-aboard: $1650 + HST View Schedule (* Provisioning not included).
• Caribbean live-aboard:  See our Caribbean Course Page

Private courses options:

• On board our vessel (for certification) or your vessel (for mileage builder options)
• To accommodate individuals, couples, families or groups
• We can create a custom course to meet your specific needs
• Ottawa or Kingston

FEES:  Contact the office to arrange (info@advantageboating.com)

Basic Cruising Challenge:

Have you been sailing for a long time but you’ve never received your certification?  Bring along your crew and you can challenge this course.  A 3-4 hour on the water sailing assessment followed by a written exam will be required for a Basic Cruising challenge.   Contact us in the office for more details.

 

 

 

CERTIFICATION AWARDED: Sail Canada Basic Cruising (Skipper) Standard  or Sail Canada Basic Cruising (Crew) Standard & Pleasure Craft Operators Certification.

Get Started Now!

• Review the course schedule to find a class that suits your needs.
• Register by adding your course choice to your shopping cart and proceeding to the checkout or calling the office at 613-721-8683.
• Take the on water course.
• Complete your certification by writing the final exam.
• SAILING FOR LIFE:  Next steps once you’ve completed your Basic Cruising (Skipper) certification.