Basic Cruising Course

No Prerequisites Required

Learn the basics of crewing and helming a keelboat in our 28-hour comprehensive course, designed to build comfort and introduce key concepts to first-time sailors. In the Basic Cruising Course you will develop basic boating skills including - terminology, docking, basic maneuvering, responding to emergency situations and more! The goal of this course is for participants to learn how to cruise safely in moderate wind and sea conditions by day. 

Our course is taught on our Club-owned 25-foot Catalina 'Away' . Our class sizes will be limited to a maximum of 3 students per instructor. This format allows for increased one-on-one time with your instructor and more direct boat handling time for each student.

Basic Cruising Course materials included in course fee. Upon successful completion you will be awarded Sail Canada’s Basic Cruising Standard or the Basic Crew Standard. 

2025 Course Schedule:

Session 1 - Saturday & Sunday - 9 AM to 5 PM - May 10, 11, 17 & 18, 2025
Session 2 - Saturday & Sunday - 9 AM to 5 PM - May 24, 25, 31 & June 1, 2025
Session 3 - Saturday & Sunday - 9 AM to 5 PM - June 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2025
Session 4 - Saturday & Sunday - 9 AM to 5 PM - June 21, 22, 28 & 29, 2025
Session 5 - Saturday & Sunday - 9 AM to 5 PM - July 5, 6, 12 & 13, 2025
Session 6 - Saturday & Sunday - 9 AM to 5 PM - July 19, 20, 26 & 27, 2025
Session 7 - Saturday & Sunday - 9 AM to 5 PM - August 2, 3, 9 & 10, 2025
Session 8 - Saturday & Sunday - 9 AM to 5 PM - August 16, 17, 23 & 24, 2025
Session 9 - Saturday & Sunday - 9 AM to 5 PM - September 6, 7, 13 & 14, 2025
Session 10 - Saturday & Sunday - 9 AM to 5 PM - September 20, 21, 27 & 28, 2025

Course Fee:

NYC Member Rate - $815 + HST
Non-Member Rate - $1115 + HST

REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

If you have any questions or would like information about National Yacht Club's keelboat programming, please email [email protected] or call 416-260-8686 ext 232.

Membership is highly recommended to put your sailing skills into practice! Our Introductory Crew Membership is the perfect choice for those who are new to the Club and don't own a boat! Find out more about membership.

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'Rusty Dusty' 

Prerequisite Experince Required - Basic Crew/Cruising Level Minimum

If you are interested in refreshing your sailing skills to start the season, for the second year in a row we are offering a “Rusty-Dusty” on-water sailing course on NYC’s Club keelboat ‘Away’ this spring! The course will run for 3.5 hours and cover the on-water skills that are often the rustiest after a winter of not sailing!

As time/conditions allow and based on the interest of registrants, the course will include practical instruction on topics like, docking, reefing, maneuvering under power, fine tuning tacking and gybing maneuvers, crew overboard retrieval, heave to and right of way rules.

Class size will be a maximum of 3 students and participants are required to have their Basic Cruising Standard or equivalent experience.

2025 Course Schedule:

TBC

Course Fee:

NYC Member Rate - TBA
Non-Member Rate - TBA

If you have any questions or would like information about National Yacht Club's keelboat programming, please email [email protected] or call 416-260-8686 ext 232.

Membership is highly recommended to put your sailing skills into practice! Our Introductory Crew Membership is the perfect choice for those who are new to the Club and don't own a boat! Find out more about membership.