| If you're going to get serious about sailing, sooner | | | | your own boat. Remember, you must take the |
| or later you'll need to get certification from an | | | | first level class to qualify. |
| accredited sailing school. The following classes can | | | | When you're looking for a place to take your |
| get you the hands-on training you will need to get | | | | classes, you'll want to be sure it's certified by a |
| the necessary certification. | | | | well know sailing school and/or association. You'll |
| The first step is to be able to sail a boat of about | | | | also want to know that your trainers have the |
| 20 feet in length in light to moderate winds and | | | | best background to train you. I would look for |
| sea conditions in familiar waters without | | | | one of the oldest sailing schools in existence and |
| supervision. A preparatory Standard with no | | | | who employs licensed Masters, Coast Guard |
| auxiliary power or navigation skills required. This is | | | | Captains, and numerous international racers with |
| the most basic sailing training you can get, and it | | | | years of experience that is in your area. |
| can cost about $675 to take. It will also take four | | | | Once you have received your certification from |
| days to finish. Once you have received | | | | the facility, you can charter a boat for your own |
| certification from this class, you can enroll in the | | | | trips. A whole world of possibilities and a beautiful |
| next level class. | | | | bay ripe for exploration opens to you. |
| The second level and final class you need to take | | | | One important thing to note is that if you plan on |
| to be get certified to charter a sailboat on your | | | | spending a lot of time sailing, you will want to join |
| own includes the ability to cruise safely in local and | | | | a sailing club. For example, your first class would |
| regional waters as both skipper and crew on an | | | | only cost $564 and the second would only cost |
| auxiliary powered sailboat of about 20 to 30 feet | | | | $506. Right there, you would have already saved |
| in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions. | | | | yourself a couple hundred dollars. |
| Once you pay the additional $675 and take the | | | | Plus, once you get on the water, being a club |
| four-day class, you will receive this second level | | | | member will get you discount charter rates and |
| certification and become qualified to charter on | | | | half-day rates on weekdays. |