SAILING FIELD GUIDE
Basic Keelboat — An Exhilarating 6.5‑Hour Hands‑On Course to Command a 30–34 ft Auxiliary Sailboat
A focused 6.5-hour course from Pacific Sail that advances boat handling, safety and navigation skills and prepares students for the Intermediate Coastal Cruising Course.
Basic Keelboat — An Exhilarating 6.5‑Hour Hands‑On Course to Command a 30–34 ft Auxiliary Sailboat.
The Basic Keelboat course is an exhilarating 6.5‑hour, hands-on program designed for aspiring skippers and crew. It prepares students to sail and cruise safely in local waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary-powered sailboat of about 30–34 feet during daylight hours in moderate to strong wind and sea conditions, building on the Basic Sailing & Seamanship course and readying participants for the Intermediate Coastal Cruising Course.
Route Schematic
Course Schematic: Weekend Skill Stations
The syllabus is organized into focused skill stops across the weekend sessions that cover helm work, systems, safety and navigation.
Wheel Steering & Under‑Power Maneuvering
Hands-on practice of wheel steering, maneuvering under power, and docking and tight-quarters handling.
Engine, Systems & Emergency Handling
Diesel engine operation and troubleshooting, plumbing and electrical systems, steering systems and emergency tiller usage.
Navigation, Communication & Heavy Weather
Reading nautical charts, determining position and plotting course, VHF marine radio usage, rules of the road, reefing underway and heavy-weather techniques including heaving to.
Safety Drills and Anchoring
Crew-overboard recovery procedures, safety equipment use and regulations, anchorages and anchoring practice.
Students should be 18 years old or accompanied by their guardian; training is conducted in daylight and can include moderate to strong wind and sea conditions—participants should be prepared for sustained hands-on activity. This course represents days 3 & 4 of an eight-day curriculum.
What the day feels like
What the Course Feels Like On the Water
Delivered as hands-on instruction in real-world conditions, the course moves from practical helm time and dockwork to systems troubleshooting and navigation drills. Delivered across consecutive weekend sessions, students cycle between on-deck skill stations and classroom review, applying techniques in moderate to strong wind and sea conditions to prepare for offshore coastal cruising.
BOAT HANDLING
Advanced Maneuvers and Engine Systems
Practice wheel steering, maneuvering under power, docking in tight quarters, and diesel engine operation and troubleshooting to build confident command of a 30–34 ft auxiliary sailboat.
SAFETY
Emergency Procedures and Safety Regulations
Train in crew-overboard recovery, emergency tiller usage, VHF radio procedures, and the use and regulation of safety equipment to operate safely in moderate to strong conditions.
NAVIGATION
Charts, Rules of the Road and Heavy-Weather Skills
Learn to read nautical charts, determine position and plot a course, apply navigation rules, and practice heavy-weather techniques including reefing underway and heaving to.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course is best suited for, and who should take precautions.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Two consecutive weekends (Saturday & Sunday), 9:30am to 4:00pm with a half-hour lunch break per day; the course contact duration is 6.5 hours.
Textbooks – Sailing Made Easy ($30.00); Log book ($30.00); ASA exams ($30.00); Student Registration Fee ($39.00). Total value listed as $129.00.
Prerequisite: None. Students should be 18 years old or accompanied by their guardian.
Course topics include wheel steering, maneuvering under power, docking, diesel engine operation, emergency tiller usage, crew-overboard recovery, VHF radio usage, safety equipment regulations, anchoring, chart reading, rules of the road, reefing underway and heavy-weather techniques.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Basic Keelboat course?
The course is 6.5 hours in total.
When are classes scheduled?
Classes run over two consecutive weekends (Saturday & Sunday), from 9:30am to 4:00pm with a half-hour lunch break.
Are there prerequisites to enroll?
There are no prerequisites.
What certification materials are included?
The included certification package lists Textbooks – Sailing Made Easy ($30.00), Log book ($30.00), ASA exams ($30.00), and a Student Registration Fee ($39.00), for a total value of $129.00.
What age is required to participate?
Students should be 18 years old or accompanied by their guardian.
How this guide was prepared
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- Verified: 2026-09-05T19:27:29.834Z
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