Courses

The Portland Sailing Center is an American Sailing Association teaching facility dedicated to the understanding and enjoyment of the sport of sailing:

  • Summer 2008 classes start June 21, July 12, and August 16. Fall classes start September 27. Groups of three or more can often be accomodated outside the normal schedule.
  • Classes are limited to four students per instructor and boat.
  • The basic classes have six two-and-one-half-hour lessons, mostly on the water.
  • Classes meet once or twice each week until the six lessons are completed. In this format students sail in a variety of wind conditions and have time to absorb the material.
  • The text, Sailing Fundamentals, is required for Basic and Coastal. It's available at PSC for $21.95.
  • American Sailing Association certification is available with all classes. Some extra study is required and a certified written exam. Add $49 for the first (Basic Keelboat) certification, and $10 each for any subsequent certification exams.
  • Call 503-281-6529 to sign up, or come see us at the end of the dock at Harbor One Marina, 3315 NE Marine Drive.

 

Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA 101)
• 15 hours — $299.00
• No prerequisite

This course prepares a student to sail a small keelboat (18 to 25 feet) in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. The course includes:

  • Safety and safety equipment
  • Boat nomenclature
  • Sailing terminology
  • Knots (six)
  • Rules of the Road
  • Crew overboard recovery (under sail!)
  • Motoring and docking
  • Basic sail trim
  • And practice, practice, practice of basic sailing maneuvers

When completed with ASA certification this class meets the requirements for the Oregon Boater Education Card.


 

Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103)
• 15 hours — $299.00
• Prerequisite: Basic Keelboat Sailing

Prepares students to sail in local waters both as skipper and crew on auxiliary powered sailboats of about 20' to 30' in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions. Course is primarily concerned with honing the skills of basic sailing, and adding detail, depth, and a few new topics:

  • Safety and safety equipment
  • Anchoring
  • Crew overboard recovery (under power)
  • Two new knots
  • Reefing and heaving to
  • Nautical charts (maps)
  • Points of sail
  • More practice!

 

Intermediate Coastal Cruising (ASA 104)
• Minimum 48 hours living aboard; costs vary
• Prerequisites: For ASA certification, Basic 101 and Coastal 103. Textbook Cruising Fundamentals is available at PSC

This is a hands-on, live-aboard cruising experience designed to prepare students for "bareboating," the practice of renting a bare boat and providing your own provisions and crew for vacation sailing all over the world. We have bareboated many times in Mexico, the Caribbean, and other places. Course includes:

  • Coast Guard required equipment
  • Fuel and water planning
  • Charts, tides, weather considerations
  • International diplomacy (papers please!)
  • Food provisioning
  • Boat mechanical and life support systems
  • Safety with fuel and cooking
  • Large boat handling

Locally we offer a "particularly Oregon" version of Intermediate Coastal which we call "Sea Trials." Sea Trials goes down the Columbia River, over the bar and out on the ocean for a spin, then back up river to Portland, all in one long weekend. It is a challenging and interest-packed transit. It is open to sailors of all levels of experience. Cost is $435 per person without ASA, $580 with. Go to www.messengersails.com for details and schedules, or talk to Cliff or Tom in the PSC office. Check the sign-up board in the office for upcoming Messenger cruises.


 

Coastal Navigation (ASA 105)
• Cost: $175
• Prerequisites: none

Batteries die in your GPS? Better know a cardinal point from a bowsprit! This challenging classroom course covers all the basics of coastwise navigation including charts and plotting, tide and current calculations, terrestrial fixes, running fixes, aids to navigation (buoys, etc.), and more. We offer this class as demand dictates. Talk to Tom in the PSC office.


 

Advanced Coastal Cruising (ASA 106)
• $685 per person, plus food.
• Prerequisites for ASA certification are Basic Keelboat, Basic Coastal, Intermediate Coastal, and Coastal Navigation. Prerequisites for non ASA are Basic Keelboat and Sea Trials.

Our version of ACC takes students off shore, so you need to be experienced and ready to go. Go to www.messengersails.com for details and schedules or ask Cliff or Tom in the PSC office.


 

Boneville
• $175 per person
• Prerequisites: none

This is an easy overnighter through Bonneville Locks. It is just for fun, and though there is a lot to learn along the way, it is not a structured class and there is no certification attached to it. Go to www.messengersails.com for details and schedules, or talk to Cliff or Tom in the PSC office.


 

 

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