Sailing Classes

Registration for 2024 classes is open!

Photo © Douglas Ludwig

photo by Ashlyn Brown

The Classic Mariners’ Regatta is beautiful classic boats, high-caliber sailors racing their hearts out, and a friendly atmosphere. Since 1984 the Classic Mariners’ Regatta has animated Port Townsend Bay with the Wooden Boat Foundation spirit that is quintessentially Port Townsend. With hand-sewn award pennants and a courtyard dinner, this is a regatta weekend not to miss.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON

Sailing Classes at Northwest Maritime Center

Our highly experienced US Sailing instructors, a year-round windy bay, and a breathtaking waterfront location surrounded by the Olympic and Cascade Mountains combine to make the Northwest Maritime Center’s sailing classes some of the best and most beautiful in the region. Experience sailing for the first time or take your skills to the next level!

We offer three levels of sailing courses:

  • Intro to Sailing - For those who are new to sailing and aren’t quite ready to jump into the Basic Keelboat Certification course.
  • Learn to Sail- For those who want to take the next step and earn their Basic Keelboat Certification. NWMC has received accreditation through US Sailing, the national governing association for sailing, to teach US Sailing Certified Basic Keelboat Classes. 
  • Beyond Basic Keelboat - For those who have already earned their Basic Keelboat Certification and want to further develop their skills.

You can dive into the course that aligns with your current skill level, or begin at the introductory level and progress through the classes step by step.

All sailing classes are taught with one instructor and no more than four students per boat. In order to further maximize your sailing time, the majority of each course is taught on the boat! 

REGISTER NOW

Class Descriptions

Classes are listed here in alphabetical order.
 Sign up for the NWMC News email list to be the first to know about upcoming classes.

Basic Keelboat Part 1

This is the first half of the US Sailing Basic Keelboat course. Learn boating terminology, points of sail, sailing upwind and downwind, steering, basic knots, safety on the water, and practice crew overboard drills. This is step 1 toward your US Sailing Certification. The program takes place from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

Tuition for this course includes the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Textbook, which will be waiting for you in the classroom. Alternatively, you may collect it ahead of time at the Wooden Boat Chandlery located at 431 Water Street, Port Townsend, open daily from 10am to 5pm. Simply tell the cashier at checkout your name and that you are registered for a Keelboat class.

2024 Registration Opens in December

Basic Keelboat Part 2

This is the second half of the US Sailing Basic Keelboat course. Learn advanced sail trim, tacking, jibing, rules of the road, basic navigation, knots, reefing, line handling, outboard engine basics, and docking. Fifteen hours over one weekend (9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday and Sunday). Receive your US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification!

Basic Keelboat Level 1 is a prerequisite.

2024 Registration Opens in December

Basic Keelboat Full Course

This is the full US Sailing Basic Keelboat course taught over 5 consecutive days. See Level 1 and Level 2 descriptions for course content. The program takes place from 9 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday. Receive your US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification!

Tuition for this course includes the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Textbook, which will be waiting for you in the classroom. Alternatively, you may collect it ahead of time at the Wooden Boat Chandlery located at 431 Water Street, Port Townsend, open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Simply tell the cashier at checkout your name and that you are registered for a Keelboat class.

2024 Registration Opens in December

Womens' Basic Keelboat Full Course

Do you learn better in a class with women? This is the full US Sailing Basic Keelboat course taught over five consecutive days. See Level 1 and Level 2 descriptions for course content. The program takes place from 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday. Receive your US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification!

Tuition for this course includes the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Textbook, which will be waiting for you in the classroom. Alternatively, you may collect it ahead of time at the Wooden Boat Chandlery located at 431 Water Street, Port Townsend, open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Simply tell the cashier at checkout your name and that you are registered for a Keelboat class. Women and Girls’ programs at Northwest Maritime Center welcome those who identify as women and girls regardless of assignment at birth. These programs also welcome people who identify as non-binary or gender nonconforming and want to be in a female-centered environment.

2024 Registration Opens in December

Private Group Sailing Lessons

Learn to sail aboard our stunning wooden sailboat, La Vie en Rose! These 2.5-hour lessons are perfect for families, friends, groups, or couples who would like to try sailing without committing to a multi-day class. Learn more about these lessons on our Private Group Sailing Lesson webpage!

Registration Opens in the Spring

Register Now
ADULT SAILING CLASSES FAQ

Other Ways to Get on the Water

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Private Group Sailing Lessons
Dates to be announced! Registration opens in 2024.

Experience the magic of Port Townsend Bay aboard our stunning 40-foot sailboat, La Vie en Rose! A private adventure on the sea awaits you and yours—raise the sails and take the helm, feel the wind in your face, and learn how to sail under the guidance of our experienced captain. These 2.5-hour lessons are perfect for families, friends, groups, or couples who would like to try sailing together in a private setting on a large beautiful sailboat.
Learn More

Scholarships

NWMC is proud to offer scholarships to those facing financial barriers so everyone can have the opportunity to learn with us, regardless of financial circumstances.

To apply for a scholarship for adult programs, please complete our scholarship application form during the registration process.

If you are in a position to pay more than the suggested price for a program, additional funds will contribute directly to making programs more widely accessible. Please contact our registrar directly at registrar@nwmaritime.org or 360.385.3628 x1.

Stay tuned for the 2021 CMR plan!

Classic Mariners' Regatta Criteria

We have opened up the criteria of Classic Mariners to expand the racing fleet beyond wooden boats!

The Classic Mariners’ Regatta is now open to yachts that have been built to a design or in the spirit of sailing yachts prior to 1967. There will be an acceptance committee that will determine if your boat meets this criteria. They will also consider boats that were built in the “Spirit of Tradition.”

Registration & Race Entry: $60

Registration for the Classic Mariners’ Regatta includes:

  • Entry for all three Classic Mariners' Regatta sailboat races
  • Welcome Gathering and Skippers' Meeting
  • Five beverage tickets (Yes, they're good for beers, too.)
  • Entry to the awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon

Please register in advance for the race; however if you're not arriving until late Friday night, please call 360.385.3628 x104 or email barb@nwmaritime.org and you can register at the skippers meeting on Saturday.

Moorage

If you would like to dock with the Classic Mariners group, which may mean rafting up, please call or email the Northwest Maritime Center office to add your name to the list for CMR raft-up. If you would like a more private dock, please call Point Hudson directly to reserve your own space. Either way, when you arrive at Point Hudson please proceed directly to the Point Hudson Marina office to pay for your moorage. Approximately 1.25 per foot.

Northwest Maritime Center Office: 360.385.3628, registrar@nwmaritime.org
Point Hudson Marina Office: 360.385.2828

A weekend of races!

This year the Classic Mariners' Regatta, SEVENTY48, and Race to Alaska are back to back in a weekend of epic fun and on-the-water adventure! So come on down to the Northwest Maritime Center and Pope Marine Park to watch and race in the regatta, cheer on SEVENTY48 racers as they arrive from Tacoma, take part in the R2AK madness on Sunday during the Ruckus, and see the R2AK teams set off on Monday.

Registration Coming Soon

Schedule

2021 schedule coming soon

All weekend events taken place in the Regatta Headquarters, upstairs at the Northwest Maritime Center

Monday, May 31

Last chance to purchase tickets to Saturday's dinner

Friday, June 4

5:00 PM
Welcome Gathering
• Eat, drink, and meet the other racers

Saturday, June 5

9:30 AM
Mandatory Skippers’ Meeting
• coffee and light snacks provided

12:00 PM
First Classic Mariners' Regatta Race Start; Second race starts immediately following first

5:00 PM
Classic Mariners' Regatta Dinner:
• Menu TBD; $12
• Located at Regatta Headquarters

Deadline for purchasing dinner tickets is Monday, May 31

Sunday, June 6

10:00 AM
Rowing Race

12:00 PM
Final Classic Mariners' Regatta Race Start

4:00 PM
Classic Mariners' Regatta Awards Party
• Located at Regatta Headquarters