Frequently-Asked Questions:

What is the Cruising Class like?

The week starts with a thorough introduction to the boat and its systems, as well as charts that cover the cruising ground. Each day, crewmembers assume new roles, switching from captain to cook to navigator to engineer, typically. The instructor conducts class, usually in the morning, on topics such as wind and sail trim, maneuvers, crew recovery, anchoring, docking, reefing, heaving to, weather, navigation, emergency scenarios, marlinspike seamanship and boat systems. On the water, crews practice docking, mooring, anchoring, maneuvers under sail and under power, crew-overboard recovery, heaving to and navigation. Some days may be broken up with a lunch stop and snorkel. By the afternoon, crewmembers find an anchorage for the night. Then they enjoy the water or go ashore, as they wish.

Although the days of the week may change from class to class, here is a typical schedule: (click here for scheduled dates)

• Friday afternoon: Crews arrive and move aboard
• Saturday morning: Thorough boat and systems introduction, charts, provisioning
• Saturday afternoon: Maneuvers under power, sail to next anchorage
• Sunday-Tuesday mornings: Class
• Sunday-Tuesday afternoons: Maneuvers under sail and power, sail to next anchorage, snorkel and shore time
• Wednesday morning: Last class
• Wednesday afternoon: Return to harbor, Bluewater Miles celebration!
• Thursday: Crews depart the boat to continue their vacation or return home

Classes proceed at a pace tailored properly to the abilities of the individuals on board. Since each class has no more than four people, instructors provide plenty of personal attention, and each person excels at his or her own rate. The Bluewater Miles objective is to help sailors develop a solid foundation of seamanship by improving skills in a thorough manner--while always remembering to have fun!

After each Cruising Class, Bluewater Miles pools photos and sends a disk out to everyone, and the instructor writes a letter of accomplishment that details the skills accomplished during the week.

Crewmembers should have some sailing experience, such as a beginner or intermediate sailing class, prior to signing up for a Cruising Class. Please call or write for recommendations. (contact us)

(click here for scheduled dates)