What pre-requisites do I require for one of your beginner sailing courses?
No pre-requisites are required - only a desire to learn how to sail and have fun.
How long does the Basic Learn-to-Cruise course take?
The courses in Ottawa last a minimum of 28 hours. They can be taken over two consecutive weekends, four weekdays - Monday to Thursday, or eight weeknights - either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. The emphasis on the course is on the practical, with about 85% of the course being taught either dockside or out on the water. Numerous, practical on-the-water courses are offered from early May until the end of September.
What types of practical boating programs do you offer?
Ottawa Sailing School is a proud member of the CYA and provides education in three different CYA "Learn-to" systems.
Learn-to-Cruise - keelboat instruction
Learn-to-Power - powerboat instruction
Learn-to-Sail - dinghy instruction
What types of boats do you use?
For our local Learn-to-Cruise courses we use boats that range in size from 22 to 24 feet in length. The boat you will learn on will most likely be a Tanzer 22, a Sonar, or a Shark. All boats are safe, comfortable and a pleasure to sail.
Our live-aboard courses in Kingston and the Caribbean are taught on boats ranging in length from 30 to 45 feet.
What is the typical size of one of your classes?
For our practical on-the-water courses such as our Basic Learn-to-Cruise course we allow a maximum of 4 students per course thereby giving everyone lots of practical hands-on time in each of the different positions on the boat.
What does the course fee include?
Sent to you before the course begins is a pre-course package that includes your textbook and other resource material so that you can get a head start. Also included onboard your vessel is all safety equipment, including lifejackets. The course will be taught by a certified Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) instructor and upon successful completion of the course you will be awarded with the CYA Basic Cruising Standard. You will also have the opportunity to obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card at no extra fee.
What is the difference between the Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) and the Canadian Power Squadron (CPS)?
The CYA (www.sailing.ca) and the CPS (http://www.cps-ecp.ca) are the two largest organizations providing boating education in Canada. The CPS primarily offers classroom only education during the off season (September - April) whereas the majority of CYA courses emphasize practical on-the-water courses, although classroom courses like coastal and celestial navigation along with the mandatory boating education courses are also offered as classroom courses by the CYA.
What opportunities exist for those that don’t have a boat after taking a course?
Check out our Keelboat Syndicate.
What is the difference between a dinghy and a keelboat?
A dinghy is generally sailed by one or two people and the boat usually ranges from 6 feet to 18 feet long. A dinghy requires the weight of the skipper/crew to keep the boat upright and prevent it from capsizing. See our dinghy Learn-to-Sail courses in the Learning Center.
