Classes run from 6:30 to 9:00pm
Q: What does it cost to participate?
A: The price is $250.00 (non-member) or $150.00 (member), and includes an instruction manual and t-shirt. Please bring a life jacket and wear light-soled or non-marking shoes. Classes run from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. each of four (4) Tues-Thur evening classes per session. To sign-up just complete the registration form linked above. If you have any questions, please e-mail them to ncyc.adultlearntosail@gmail.com or call/text the program administrator at (260) 750-4266.
Q: What size boat do we use, and are they stable?
A: Our Adult Learn To Sail program is taught on a fleet of 26-foot J80 sailboats. We chose the J80, with its 2,900(lb) displacement and 1,400(lb) keels, as our teaching platform because of its stability, and for their large cockpit area. They are responsive and safe with an easy-to-learn set-up.
Q: How many students per boat?
A: We typically assign three to four students to a boat, along with two instructors. We maintain a high student/instructor ratio, both for the students’ safety and to promote a more positive learning experience. Instructors encourage students to do all of the sailing: they serve as facilitators and monitor safety so that students get as much experience as possible. Students rotate positions and responsibilities each night so that everyone has repeated opportunities to practice each position in each maneuver.
Q: What do I need to bring to class?
A: Comfortable clothing suitable to the conditions. Bring sun protection: a hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. Wear closed-toed shoes such as sneakers or boat shoes. Also, it's almost always cooler out on the water, particularly during the evening, so a sweatshirt, fleece jacket, or windbreaker is recommended. We may sail in the rain, so–based on the weather–a rain suit or rain jacket is also a good idea. Also, if you forget something the sailing school usually has extra gear you can borrow; just ask the administrator. Please bring your own water bottle, too: the lake is surprisingly dehydrating! We also recommend sailing gloves, if possible, but you’ll be okay without them.
Q: Are life vests provided?
A: No. You'll need to provide your own US Coast Guard approved life vest; however, we may have one you can borrow if you forget. We just don’t have enough to provide them for everyone. Any USCG vest is acceptable: ski vests, kayaking vests, sailing vests all work. If you don’t want to splurge on an inflatable sailing vest before you’re sure you love sailing, an inexpensive vest from Costco, Wal-Mart, or Amazon will do the trick.
Q: Can I eat at the club before or after class?
A: Absolutely. Bar food is available; hamburger, pizza, sub sandwiches, etc. Tuesdays at the club are usually Taco Tuesdays, where you can get a good-sized meal of tacos and/or tamales, rice, chips, and guacamole for $8-10. Lots of students opt to arrive early on Tuesdays to eat and hang out with instructors.
Q: The forecast for my class time does not look favorable, how do I check to see if we will be having class?
A: Classes will be held unless prolonged severe weather is unavoidable. We won’t go out if the water is too rough to safely sail with beginners or if the wind will make controlling the boat especially difficult. Lightning is always a cause for cancellation if it will continue through the whole class. Light rain is wet, but not severe! Since you've blocked class out on your busy schedule, we usually wait as long as possible before canceling. Sometimes, instructors might restructure class or activities to work around the weather; so, your best bet is to call or text the administrator at (260) 750-4266 a few hours before class to see if there are any changes likely. The administrator may also communicate via text message and email to the group in the event of a change.
In addition, we have built in a make-up day for each session in case we have to cancel. Should we have to cancel more than one evening (a rarity) and/or the make-up session also gets cancelled, please note that we don’t offer refunds. We do everything we can within reason to provide all four nights of sailing, but sadly, we cannot control the weather.
Q: What if I am late for a class?
A: The obvious answer is to try not to be late, as the class may be on the water by the time you arrive. We spend the first fifteen minutes or so in the clubhouse reviewing what we will be practicing on the water, so a few minutes late usually is not a problem. Once the boats go out, though, it is not always possible to get a late student onto their assigned vessel. But if you are going to be late, call the administrator at (260) 750-4266, and let them know your approximate arrival time. They’ll do everything they can to get you on the boat!
Q: I would like to take a course, but I may have to miss a class or two due to my busy schedule is it worth taking the class?
A: Missed classes can sometimes be made up in a later session, pending availability; so the answer is, possibly. It’s best to schedule a course when you can make all four dates: if you are going to miss more than one evening, you are unlikely to get as much out of the course as you may like. It’s mostly up to you an what your goal in taking the class is.
Q: What if we have to cancel?
A: Students who cancel at least one week (seven days) prior to the program start date will receive a full refund. No refunds are possible beyond this deadline.
Our program is open to adults 18 years or older who would like to learn the basics of keelboat sailing. The course is geared toward beginning and beginner-intermediate sailors. North Cape Yacht Club offers several sessions throughout the summer months. We also offer intermediate courses for those who have finished the introductory course or who have more significant sailing experience.
North Cape Yacht Club in La Salle, Michigan, is home to one of the finest sailing programs in the country for adults and youth; we can proudly say it is the home of both world and national sailing champions.
Our Adult Sailing program gives you an in-depth understanding of sailing, and will instill in you a life-long passion for the water and the sport. Students will experience all the thrills, exhilaration, enjoyment, and satisfaction that come from skippering and crewing a sailboat.
Our program at North Cape Yacht Club is a unique combination of classroom and on-the-water hands-on instruction and practice. Using the US Sailing Keelboat education curriculum, our class participants learn sailing theory, nomenclature, boat handling, basic safety procedures, vessel rigging, and more. Because nothing teaches like experience, the majority of our time is spent on the water, under the supervision of North Cape Sailing School staff. The on-the-water portion of our program is taught on a dedicated fleet of 26-foot J80 fixed-keel sailboats that are owned by North Cape Sailing School.
The introductory Adult Learn-to-Sail Program offers three evening sessions with four-classes per session. We also offer an intermediate class twice each summer. Lessons take place at North Cape Yacht Club, situated on the western shore of Lake Erie just south of Monroe and only 9-miles north of Toledo.
Be the envy of your shore-side friends this summer as you enjoy an evening sail on Lake Erie!
At the end of the course, we’ll ask you about what types of sailing you’re interested in doing and set you up with members of NCYC who are interested in hosting new sailors as crew on their boats. We have members who take our course graduates on sunset and pleasure sails, Wednesday night and other races, and even some of our club cruises to other locations on Lake Erie (Middle Bass, Put-in-Bay, Kelley’s Island, etc.). There is no shortage of opportunities to get more experience on the water with seasoned sailors at NCYC! Also, in 2024, we introduced an Intermediate ALTS course that we offer twice each season. The course builds on the sailing basics from the regular class to offer students additional sailing skills including reading the wind and waves, navigating to a specific point, and more advanced sail trim. Once you have completed the first course, you are welcome to sign up for the intermediate course in July/August or the following season!
In addition, North Cape Yacht Club offers its members and their families a welcoming clubhouse and facilities, further enhanced (especially for the sailor) by a deep water harbor. NCYC is a working club, with an active membership and community of primarily sailors, many of whom volunteer as mentors to ALTS participants! There are races most Wednesday nights during the summer and skippers are often looking for additional crew members. We also have one of the largest cruising fleets on Lake Erie: sailors who enjoy sailing their boats to various ports around Lake Erie and other destinations. And on almost any day, you'll see a number of our members taking their boats out for a short day or evening sail. We will happily connect you club mentors in order to give you additional sailing experience.
Also, don't be shy! Introduce yourself at the bar. You'll be surprised how easy it is to get out on a boat! North Cape Yacht Club members are very friendly people and enjoy sharing their passion with prospective sailors.
As an added benefit for our adult students, introductory memberships are available. This 90-day introductory membership entitles you to enjoy clubhouse and bar, social activities, racing/cruising and grounds privileges at North Cape Yacht Club. It's a great opportunity for you and your fellow students to get together, meet other North Cape members, and discover ways you can become more involved in the North Cape Yacht Club sailing community.
Still can't figure it out? Don't fret. We have something for you, or can customize something if needed. Just call (260) 750-4266 or email ncyc.adultlearntosail@gmail.com
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North Cape Yacht Club, 11850 Toledo Beach Road, Lasalle, MI 48145
Phone: 734.242.5081 Fax: 734.242.1496 Email:
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