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Detroit Boat Club
The Oldest Yachting Club in the Americas
Established in 1839
HomeClass Description

LEARN TO SAIL


Class Description

Novice Sailing Program


DBC is proud to offer this entry-level class for students who have little or no sailing experience.   It is held jointly with the Challenge the Wind Program at the Belle Isle Boat House (formerly the Detroit Boat Club Clubhouse) on Belle Isle in Detroit.

The course is designed to be an entertaining and simple introduction to sailing and water safety.  Each sailor will learn the basics of sailing: parts of the boat, rigging (set up) sails, steering the boat, leaving & returning to the dock under sail, and water safety.

Students are also introduced to basics of racing with their fellow students and will have opportunities for longer races on Lake St. Clair as the class progresses.

This is a hands-on, get-wet (from bow spray, not capsizes) and have-a-lot of fun type of class. This course is designed to build skills and confidence through time on the water, chats on shore, and focus on fundamentals of sailing, safety and boat handling.

Full Tuition for the Beginner Class is $395, fee includes a one-year membership in the DBC.  Fee is $245 if you are already a DBC member.  Additional family members can take the class for a fee of $295 (additional family member fee does not include DBC membership). 

Course is based on U.S. Sailing material and hands-on sailing.

No previous boating experience is required.


NEW - Intermediate Sailing Class - NEW
Join us for the next step in your sailing education in learning a new range of sailing skills. This class will cover techniques on the finer points of sailing, racing techniques and rules, as well as spinnaker sailing. Expand your knowledge and prepare yourself to join the crews of race boats throughout Detroit, or feel more confident with sail trim and heavy weather sailing. And find out what it takes to make a spinnaker fly! We look forward to having you on board.

Intermediate Course Registration is limited. Prerequisite-  a DBC Skipper card. Other sailing education experiences will be considered on a case by case basis.

More Details
Participants can enjoy Detroit’s waterways and learn to sail without the cost and time commitment of boat ownership. Instructors with years of experience teach using our fleet of Flying Scots and RS-21 sailboats. The cost includes all instruction and use of the boats. During the class information will be presented on additional ways to continue sailing, including boat ownership.

NEW - Race Crew Training Class - NEW

Learn all drew and skipper positions.  Learning opportunities include boat handling, maintenance issues, rules of racing, team work, safety, logistics and so much mroe will be covered.