Portland Sailing Center

Cliff's Notes

We're not doing lessons in the winter. We had a booth at the Portland Boat Show, and some students from 2011 went sailing in Mexico for a week in January. We're getting ready for Spring classes which will begin April 7 and 8. Several boats are already full, so let us know if you would like to sign up. Classes will start at 1PM or 4PM Saturday or Sunday, you choose. As the season progresses and daylight extends we'll add evening classes--lots of fun there. We are also taking names for Sea Trials and Bonneville trips. The 2012 schedule is posted in the Adventures section.

Welcome!

Portland Sailing Center was established in the early 1980s and has been offering high quality, low cost sailing lessons and adventures ever since. And though we have grown and learned a lot in that time we remain committed to providing basic sailing education in its purest form, with no hustle or jive. Our instructors are U.S. Coast Guard licensed Masters, veteran sailors as well as experienced teachers. All are adept at mixing education, safety, and fun. Our two ocean skippers have been over the Columbia River Bar hundreds of times, and their knowledge of the river approaches that of professional river pilots.

So...why Portland Sailing Center?

Only PSC offers fifteen hour Basic classes spread over five or six days, meeting once or twice a week (maximum four students per boat). We believe this is the best way to learn to sail. You have more time to absorb the material, and you experience a variety of wind and weather conditions. And it's more fun!
Instructors are free to change lesson times and days to suit the class.
We are the only sailing school in town that is not on Hayden Island. We're on Marine Drive, near the airport, easy to access any time or day of the week. And our docks are mere seconds from the main stem of the Columbia River.
We have nothing to sell but sailing lessons and adventures. That's all we do.
Only PSC offers an advanced class that includes extensive ocean sailing.
Only PSC offers weeknight classes. Evenings tend to have light river traffic, fair winds, and some great sunsets!
We were the first (by a good twenty years) school to take students up to the Gorge or out on the ocean. We love doing these extended trips, and our clients think we do them well. (Check out Sailor's Reviews in the "Adventures" section.)
And oh-by-the-way, PSC's price are and always have been the best in town.

We don't monitor other schools closely and may be unaware of developments in their programs. If you find any of the above statements are no longer true, please let us know and we'll change our message as needed.

See "Sailing Courses" under "Learn to Sail" for more information. Also have a look under the "Adventures" tab. Email to the address below or call the office at 503-281-6529 to ask questions or sign up.