CARLETON BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Two Days to Crew: An Initiation à la voile sur quillard in Baie-des-Chaleurs
A focused, two-day Voile Canada initiation course that teaches the core skills to serve as a crew member on 6–12 m keelboats—useful for anyone aiming to gain a recognized initiation certificate.
Two Days to Crew: An Initiation à la voile sur quillard in Baie-des-Chaleurs.
Out on the sheltered sweep of Baie-des-Chaleurs from Carleton, Initiation à la voile sur quillard compresses hands-on seamanship and classroom fundamentals into an intense, practical weekend that prepares participants to join a crew aboard 6–12 meter sailboats.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A Voile Canada initiation brevet
Complete the course and you earn the initiation sailing certificate from Voile Canada—a formal credential that marks you as competent to serve as a crew member on keelboats.
Practical seamanship condensed into two days
The program covers essential topics—terms and definitions, weather, engine and sailing maneuvers, and matelotage—so you leave with a clear, usable skill set for life aboard a 6–12 m sailboat.
Train to be a crew member on 6–12 m keelboats
Instruction is tailored to handling keelboats in the 6–12 meter range, giving trainees relevant, boat-specific experience for coastal sailing and day trips.
What the day feels like
What the two-day initiation feels like
The course is a disciplined, hands-on primer: instructors move between explanation and demonstration, then hand the lines and winches to participants for guided practice. Over two consecutive days you cycle through classroom briefings and on-deck drills designed to get you comfortable with routine maneuvers, basic sail handling and safety tasks until they feel instinctive.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits—and who it excludes.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The course comprises two consecutive training days totaling 14 hours of instruction (9:00–16:00 each day). Confirm specific dates and start times with the operator.
The provided trip details do not list specific personal-gear requirements; prospective participants should confirm clothing, footwear and provisions directly with Ecovoile Baie-des-Chaleurs before arrival.
Pricing (as provided) is listed per person for group and private formats—verify current rates and booking procedures with the operator.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Initiation à la voile sur quillard course?
Two consecutive days of training, 9:00–16:00 each day, totaling 14 hours of instruction.
What is the minimum age to participate?
Participants must be 16 years of age or older to enroll in the course.
What topics does the program cover?
The curriculum follows the Voile Canada IVQ program and includes terms and definitions, weather, engine maneuvers, sailing maneuvers and matelotage.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes—successful completion leads to the initiation sailing certificate issued by Voile Canada.
How much does the course cost?
Provided pricing lists group rate at 430$ per person and private rate at 730$ per person; confirm current pricing with the operator.
Who operates the course and where is it run?
The course is operated by Ecovoile Baie-des-Chaleurs in the Carleton / Baie-des-Chaleurs area of Québec, Canada.