Coastal Cruising is an intermediate sailing course designed for those completing Basic Sailing, or those with equivalent experience. The goal of the Coastal Cruising course is to prepare the student to cruise safely in local and regional waters as skipper or crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat in moderate wind and sea conditions. Chart reading, plotting and coastal navigation skills are taught during this course that prepares you to master sailing in near coastal waters. Coastal Cruising is intended for those with Basic Keelboat certification or equivalent skills.

What You'll Learn

• Advanced sailing theory - Learn how to fully harness and control your yacht’s sails, keel, rudder and crew weight
• Managing heel and weather helm - The hydrodynamics behind heeling and weather helm -- distinguishing good from bad
• Sail shape and rig control - Properly controlling the mast and sail shapes enhances your boat control for fun and safety
• Sailing in close quarters - One of the greater pleasures in sailing and a critical skill for independence and confidence afloat
• Heavy weather techniques - Learn to handle New York's famous sea breeze with confidence
• Heaving to - How to get your sailboat to tend herself out in the Bay while you attend to something or just relax
• Reefing underway - Safely reducing sail when the wind comes up quickly while you are out sailing
• Man overboard recovery drills - How to manage a recovery in stronger breezes and in different situations
• Anchorages and anchoring - Become confident to explore and use all the anchorages in the region when sailing on your own
• Handling emergencies - Learn about the most common emergencies and how to manage them according to best practices learned over generations
• Course plotting and fixes - When you see the fog starting to roll in, it is reassuring to know you can determine your position and course to your destination even without visibility
• Steering by the compass - Steering a straight course by compass is known by few sailors. You’ll leave Basic Cruising steering by compass like an old salt

• Skipper boats under 30-feet in challenging locations such as New York Harbor.

• Move into NYC Sailing School's Bareboat Cruising course.