Student Testimonials | Lake St. Clair Sailing School

Student stories · Lake St. Clair, Michigan

Confidence starts here. Students say it best.

Read what sailors say about hands-on ASA instruction, patient captains, practical training and the confidence to keep sailing.

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Published voicesFive student stories

Training coveredBeginner through combo

ReviewedAugust 7, 2026

American Sailing instructionCertification-focused education

Licensed captainsExperienced on-water leadership

Catalina 30 trainingReal keelboat experience

Lake St. Clair, MichiganServing Metro Detroit sailors

The direct answer

What do students say about Lake St. Clair Sailing School?

Published students consistently describe knowledgeable instructors, patient explanations, substantial hands-on time and practice that helps them continue building confidence.

Clear instructionKnowledge explained with confidence

Hands-on learningHelm, sails and onboard stations

Safety & patiencePractical coaching at the student’s pace

Reasons to returnPractice, higher courses and more sailing

Featured student story

Prepared on shore. Confident on the water.

Students are encouraged to read the required text and practice knots before class so more course time can be devoted to practical sailing.

I recently had the best experience completing ASA 101 with Captain Ranam. She is highly knowledgeable and experienced. She instructs clearly and confidently. Make sure you do your part to prepare properly by reading the required text and practicing your knots prior to class. Then, you can spend more time gaining practical experience on the boat. I highly recommend Lake St. Clair Sailing School and would come back again in a heartbeat!

KHASA 101 sailing student

More student voices

Different starting points. One shared confidence.

Student identifiers and experiences are retained from feedback already published by the school. Text has been lightly edited for punctuation and readability without changing its meaning.

First sailing experience

This sailing school was incredible! This was my first sailing experience, but it won’t be my last. This is a great school for your certification!

Safety-focused instruction

Lake St. Clair Sailing School and Captain Joe provide sailing education that is safety-focused, practical and high quality—and it worked around my schedule and the weather. Captain Joe is very experienced, knowledgeable and a great teacher. I would recommend the sailing school to others, and I plan to return for more.

ASA 101 + ASA 103

I had a great time in ASA 101/103. It was a big learning curve, but Captain Ranam did a great job with the lessons, including spending extra time on areas that needed attention. There was plenty of hands-on work at the mainsheet, traveler, jib sheets, helm, mast and sails. I learned a lot and am looking forward to ASA 104.

Continued practice

It’s the most recommended sailing school. The instructors are very helpful in getting students up to speed. The after-course practice sessions are especially helpful for becoming more involved with sailing. Highly recommended if you would like to get more into sailing.

What the feedback highlights

A teaching experience built around doing.

The student comments point to four qualities that shape the school’s approach.

Prepare first

Reading and knot practice protect valuable course time for practical learning aboard the boat.

Take the controls

Students rotate through the helm, sheets, traveler, mast and sail-handling responsibilities.

Ask and repeat

Patient instructors revisit skills that need more attention and adapt to conditions and schedules.

Keep practicing

Practice sessions and higher-level courses help students turn certification into lasting competence.

Choose your next step

Create the experience you’ll want to talk about.

Start a certification pathway, choose focused private instruction or simply enjoy Lake St. Clair under sail.

Certification

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Enjoy a relaxed, captain-led sail with friends, family or someone special on Lake St. Clair.

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Learn to sail. Sail with confidence.

Contact the school for help choosing an ASA course, private lesson or Lake St. Clair sailing experience.

Find Your Course Call (586) 770-2518

Testimonials reviewed August 7, 2026 · Lake St. Clair Sailing School · Feedback reflects individual student experiences.

Google Testimonials

      
   Lake St. Clair Sailing School
   81 Google reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Adel Bishar 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very passionate captain!
  
 
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   Richard Swann 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wow, what can I say so many thoughts. A great two days. Excellent instruction repeatedly encouraged and reminded and corrected when needed. I would highly recommend taking this class to anyone who would like to get their feet wet pardon the pun so much material such a different language repetition repetition repetition was the key thank you captain for your patience for your knowledge and the graceful manner you communicated to us all I will continue in these courses with you
  
 
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   Reed Czinski 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing experience the captain did a great job of reinforcing the lessons and questioned us so we could keep it in our heads. I highly recommend taking sailing lessons from this school. Boat was neat tidy and they had life jackets for the students which worked out because mine was not nearly as good.
  
 
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   F Step 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great learning experience! Very professional and knowledgeable captain. Highly recommended
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Alex Donnelly 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great time learning with Captain Renee! It was a pleasure to be in her class. Looking forward to future courses!
  
 
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   JASON COVEY 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great experience! Captain Ranam was highly instructive, flexible, knowledgeable and attentive. I learned a lot, laughed a lot and look forward to sailing more with them in the future.
  
 
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   Niamh Ó hArt 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Took their 101 course and it was amazing. Small classes means you each get a lot of attention. The captain took her time and if anyone needed her to repeat something, she never hesitated to listen, help, and correct. I would highly recommend if you're interested in learning how to sail a decent-sized sloop.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Kathryn Hicks 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently had the best experience completing ASA 101 with Captain Ranam.  She is highly knowledgeable and experienced. She instructs clearly and confidently.  Make sure you do your part to prepare properly by reading the required text and practicing your knots prior to class.  Then, you can spend more time gaining practical experience on the boat. I highly recommend Lake St. Clair Sailing School and would come back again in a heartbeat!  Thanks again!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Eddie Key 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I took ASA 101 with Lake St. Clair Sailing School. It is a two day course. We signed up for the weekend class several months in advance. On the first day, one of the students had a ASA sailing book. Asking where he received it. He replied that he had ordered it. After sending an email to the owner we received the same study material a few days later. During our first of two sailings we experienced an exhaust leak. I became ill from inhaling the fumes. Things happen and boats break so we understood. Also it gave us a chance to study the material that we finally got. A month later on the second day everything went much better. Captain Bill was great. We were fortunate enough to be his last class before retiring. One thing that the class lacked was docking. I later learned from other schools that they spent quite some time practicing docking. That would have been very helpful along with receiving all study materials. We have signed up for ASA 103 &104 through a different program.
  
 
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   Adam Freed 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Took the ASA101 course with Captain Bill and can highly recommend the school. The boat is a Catalina 30 in decent condition - certainly good enough as a training boat. Sign up and coordination was easy and fast, and the course itself was thorough and really lots of fun! Happy to recommend the school.
  
 
  
  
 
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