Lake St. Clair Sailing School Blog

Family Sailing Classes in Michigan

Lake St. Clair Sailing School has been helping students learn to sail for the last 30 years. Our captains are experienced and US Coast Guard Captains and American Sailing certified instructors. We offer a variety of courses for families, from beginner to advanced. Why learn to sail as a family? Sailing is a great way to bond with your family and create lasting memories. It's also a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. When you learn to sail as a family, you'll all be working together to achieve a common goal. This can help to strengthen your family bond and create a sense of teamwork. What courses do you…

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February 9, 2025

family sailing classes

Sailing Terms

Points of Sail

The term Points of Sail describes the direction a sailboat is traveling relative to the wind. Mastering these is key to sailing efficiently and safely. Here’s a breakdown: In Irons (Head to Wind Wind angle: 0° (wind is blowing directly over the bow). Description: The boat is pointed directly into the wind, and the sails luff (flap). The boat loses momentum and cannot steer. Tip: Turn the bow through the wind (tack) to regain power in the sails. Close-Hauled (Beating) Wind angle: 30–45° (wind comes from slightly forward of the beam). Description: Sailing as close to the wind as possible. Sails are pulled in tightly (trimmed), and the boat heels (leans) significantly. Tip:…

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January 30, 2025

Catamaran

Your Caribbean Dream: Charter a Catamaran in the Bahamas

Discover the Ultimate Island Escape Imagine yourself sailing through crystal-clear turquoise waters, the gentle trade winds filling your sails. The sun warms your skin as you explore secluded beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and charming island towns. This dream can become a reality with a catamaran charter in the Bahamas. Choose Your Adventure: Crewed or Bareboat Crewed Charter: Luxurious Relaxation: Let our experienced crew pamper you with gourmet meals, refreshing cocktails, and personalized service. Expert Navigation: Our captains will guide you to the best snorkeling spots, diving sites, and hidden coves. Hassle-Free Sailing: Sit back, relax, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Bareboat Charter: Captain Your Own Destiny: Take the helm and chart your own…

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November 28, 2024

Read more about the article Your Caribbean Dream: Charter a Catamaran in the Bahamas

Bahamas Charters

Sailing Courses / Sailing Lessons / Sailing Terms

Getting to Know Beam Reach

Getting to Know Beam Reach Understanding the Beam Reach The Beam Reach is a specific point of sail where your boat is positioned at a right angle to the wind direction. This means the wind is blowing directly from the side of your boat. This position offers a great balance between speed and stability, making it a popular choice for sailors. Mastering the Technique To harness the power of the wind at a Beam Reach, you'll need to master the art of sail trim. This involves adjusting the sails to capture the optimal amount of wind. The main sail is controlled by the mainsheet, while the jib is controlled by the jib sheet.…

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November 26, 2024

Beam Reach

Sailing Courses / Sailing Lessons / Sailing Terms

Sailing at the Close Reach

Understanding Close Reach 'Points of sail' refers to the different positions at which a sailboat can sail relative to the wind direction. Each point of sail comes with its unique sail adjustments and considerations for effective boat handling. Sailing at a 'Close Reach' means sailing at a sharp angle into the wind (upwind), typically about 45 degrees off the bow (front). To achieve optimal speed while maintaining forward direction, the boat should be correctly positioned to the wind, and the sails should be properly trimmed (set). Sailing on a close reach Mechanics of Sailing at the Close Reach When the wind comes from behind the boat, it simply pushes the sail. However, when…

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November 26, 2024

Read more about the article Sailing at the Close Reach

Sailing on a close reach

Sailing Classes

Online Sailing Classes

Online Sailing Classes Our Online Sailing Courses allow students to study at their own pace and include opportunities to interact with instructors. At the end of the course all graduating students earn official ASA certifications. Registration Link! Why take these courses? In this time when you cannot get to the ocean or classes are not being held, the online alternative is ideal. Learn a few skills and get some certifications during this time while you are being asked to stay home. Why StarPath? Starpath has over 40 years of experience in classroom teaching and 23 years of online training. They guarantee that you will learn the subject matter well, and enjoy doing it.…

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November 24, 2024

Read more about the article Online Sailing Classes

Offers

2024 New Year’s Offer – Sailing

2024 New Year's Offer - Sailing Buy any sailing class and get the second class half off. Set Sail into Savings with Lake St. Clair Sailing School's New Year's Offer! Lake St. Clair Sailing School is ringing in the new year with an offer that will have you catching the wind in no time. Buy any sailing class and get the second class of equal or lesser value for half off! This is the perfect opportunity to learn the ropes, hone your skills, or even introduce a friend or family member to the joys of sailing. Here's how to take advantage of this exciting offer: Choose any sailing class offered by Lake St.…

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November 24, 2024

New Year's offer

Offers

Black Friday Offer 2024 – Limited Time Offer

Black Friday Offer 2024 Get ready to catch the wind in your sails! Here at Lake St. Clair Sailing School, we're thrilled to offer you a special discount on all our sailing services. For a limited time only, enjoy 10% off any of our exciting offerings! Whether you're a seasoned sailor looking to refine your skills or a complete beginner eager to learn the ropes, we have something for everyone: Master the Basics: Enroll in an ASA sailing class and gain the knowledge and confidence to navigate the beautiful waters of Lake St. Clair. Unwind on the Water: Experience breathtaking sunsets on a relaxing sunset sail. Sharpen Your Skills: Hone your sailing abilities during our Friday…

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November 24, 2024

Black Friday Offer

Sailing Courses / Sailing Lessons / Sailing Terms

Sailing at Broad Reach: A Beginner’s Guide

Sailing at Broad Reach: A Beginner's Guide This guide provides a clear and concise introduction to sailing at a Broad Reach, perfect for those new to sailing or looking to improve their skills. What is a Broad Reach? In sailing, the "Point of Sail" refers to the boat's position relative to the wind's direction. A Broad Reach is when the wind comes from behind the boat at an angle greater than 90 degrees (but not directly behind). This is in contrast to a Close Reach (wind less than 90 degrees from the front) and a Beam Reach (wind directly at a 90-degree angle). Sailing at Broad Reach Sails are controlled by lines called…

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November 2, 2024

Sailing Courses / Sailing Lessons / Sailing Terms

Lake St. Clair Sailing School

Lake St. Clair Sailing School is located in Harrison Township, Michigan and offers a variety of sailing classes and courses for beginners and experienced sailors. They are an American Sailing Association (ASA) certified training facility, which means that their instructors are qualified to teach ASA courses and their students can earn ASA certifications. Here are some of the classes that the Lake St. Clair Sailing School offers: Basic Keelboat Sailing: This course is for beginners and teaches the fundamentals of sailing, including how to rig and launch a sailboat, how to sail different points of sail, and how to maneuver the boat in various conditions. Intermediate Keelboat Sailing: This course is for sailors…

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November 2, 2024