Learn to Sail
Our Basic Sailing Course is led by a certified Society for the Education of American Sailors (SEAS) instructor in collaboration with local sailors from the Chatham Sailing Club. The class is intended to teach the basics of sailing to those 18 and over who have never been on a sailboat, as well as those with some experience. The course scope is similar to ASA 101: American Sailing Association Basic Keelboat Course.
Next scheduled class date is
April 12-13, 2025
Check back for more class dates.
Download the class schedule and information below. For additional information or to save your spot in the next class please contact the CSC Education Chair at AMargolit@hotmail.com or 973-296-8011.
ASA 101 Basic Course
Our two-day weekend course is held four times per year. The schedule is usually Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday, from noon to 5 pm.
**Please check this page or our club calendar for additional scheduled dates.**
The cost for the course is $150 per student (CSC club members receive a 50% discount
Tybee Light Sail & Power Squadron members receive a 33% discount.
Classes will be held at the CSC Clubhouse at Young’s Marina,
218B Wilmington Island Road, Wilmington Island, on the marina docks on Turner Creek
and on the Wilmington River.
We always attend to safety issues on the water and docks. You must be in fair physical condition and able to step from a dock onto a floating boat.
What you'll learn
SATURDAY
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Introduction to sailing,
safety on the water, sailing physics.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM - Points of sail, wind awareness, apparent vs true wind.
inspect boats on the dock to identify
components, four knots to know.
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Sailing a course, navigation,
rules on the water.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Weather, tides
and current plus two more knots to know.
SUNDAY
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Review
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM - On the water session: teamwork and communication,
sailing maneuvers, docking and crew overboard.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Final review, Q&A,
5 PM - Exam. Types of sailing craft, feedback.
What to bring
Please bring a lunch on Saturday, and plenty of water to
drink throughout the weekend.
The American Sailing Association course book, Sailing Made Easy, is highly recommended but not required or provided. Several handouts will be given out before and
during the class.
Personal Flotation Devices are required; bring your own or borrow one of ours.
Also wear proper boat shoes and sun protection on both days.
ASA 103 : Coastal Cruising
*Check back for next scheduled class date.*
What you'll learn
DAY ONE
Boating safety regulations & guidelines
Boat Systems - battery, auxiliary engine operation, fuel, plumbing and bilge.
Knots, Coiling and Tossing Lines
Weather, Fog, Clouds, Tides & Currents
(Lunch Break)
Leaving the Dock
Compass Steering
Reefing (Main & Jib), heave-to, docking
Water Session Review / Q&A
DAY TWO
Coastal Navigation, Navigation Rules
Navigation Lights, Crew Overboard
Onboarding with halyard & elevator techniques
Emergencies & procedures: running aground, rigging failure, leaks and fouled propeller and more.
(Lunch Break)
COB, Anchoring and mooring
Final Review / Q&A
Exam, graded
Regattas & Cruising, feedback, evaluations, next steps
What to bring
Please bring a lunch on Saturday, and plenty of water to
drink throughout the weekend.
The American Sailing Association course book, Coastal Cruising Made Easy is highly recommended but not required or provided. Several handouts will be given out before and
during the class.
Personal Flotation Devices are required; bring your own or borrow one of ours.
Also wear proper boat shoes and sun protection on both days.
Save your spot
To register for the above 101 and 103 classes, please contact Angela Margolit at the email address below.
Join our facebook
community.
CSC Affiliate programs
Additional learning opportunities and special offers from SEAS Morris,
Sail Savannah and Mariners Learning Systems.
SEAS Morris Advanced Sailing Class
in the beautiful Caribbean!
Are you ready to elevate your sailing skills and embark on a thrilling adventure across the Caribbean? The Society of the Education of American Sailors (SEAS) of Morris County, NJ is excited to offer an exclusive advanced sailing class designed for experienced sailors. This unique opportunity will provide hands-on experience with docking, anchoring, and open ocean sailing as we journey from one picturesque Caribbean island to another.
Upcoming trip dates: March 8 - March 15, 2025
Sponsored by SEAS Morris: Skippers for this course have the support of SEAS Morris, ensuring a top-notch educational experience. Limited to 8 Participants: To ensure personalized instruction and ample hands-on practice, we are limiting this event to 8 people, with only 4 sailors per boat.
Successful sailors: Your skills will satisfy the skill requirements to be a SEAS Cruising Skipper. SQB approval is still required and there may be additional requirements.
For complete information visit https://seas-morris.squarespace.com/
SEAS-Morris offers a more Intensive class and/or the next step from the Basic Sailing Class for those interested developing advanced sailing skills. Learn how to manage 2 sails and a crew. This class is perfect for those adults who are less agile or those in need of a refresher course looking to get back into sailing. A one year SEAS membership is included with the purchase.
Vessels
49ft Ketch: A classic beauty with a rich history of ocean voyages, perfect for mastering traditional sailing techniques.
42ft Catamaran: A modern, spacious vessel offering a stable and fast sailing experience.
Skippers
Both boats will be led by highly skilled ASA-certified instructors with extensive sailing experience. Our skippers are passionate about teaching and ensuring that each participant gains valuable skills and confidence on the water.
Sail Savannah ASA Certification
After completing our basic non-certificate sailing class, Sail Savannah's ASA Sailing School offers a more hands-on experience and full certification for ASA 101 and ASA 103.
Here's how it works:
Complete our Basic Sailing Course above with Angela Margolit.
Complete ASA 101 certification testing through Sail Savannah: $100
ASA 103 course and certification: $775
Total cost is $875, a savings of $475!
Chatham Sailing Club Members will receive a 10% discount when they enrolled in
both courses through Sail Savannah.
Sail Savannah's Sailing School instructors are experts in building knowledge and experience, so that you can achieve confidence and pilot or crew safely in your sailing adventures - whether you rent a boat from a local harbor, go on an exotic sailing vacation, or considering boat ownership.