PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
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| Youth Sailing Programs |
Sail Training & Seamanship |
| Adult & Family Programs |
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Events
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Youth Sailing Programs
Youth Messing About In Boats
Experience the sea! Messing About in Boats offers a multitude of ways for kids to experience maritime life in a fun, hands-on way. From our home in Point Hudson, young sailors enter the maritime world by meeting real captains, crew, and shipwrights in their element, heading out to sea in rowboats, powerboats and sailboats, and learning what it takes to live on and by the sea.
Fun while learning. All themes focus on fundamental skills: knot tying, basic weather, boat types and parts. Also include field trips to meet local shipwrights, sail makers, riggers, fisherman, and other salty dogs.
Register online here.
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104.
Email Programs Office.
Download 2013 Youth Program Schedule (PDF)
Youth Learn to Sail
Learn. New boats, US Sailing certified instructors, a year-round windy bay, and a beautiful waterfront location at the Northwest Maritime Center dock combine to make our learn-to-sail program one of the best in the region. Diverse, challenging waters and excellent instructors teach competent sailing for all conditions. The perfect place to introduce your child to sailing or take their skills to the next level. We also offer a girls-only sailing week.
Have fun. Since the early 1990s, our sailing instructors have taught hundreds of people to sail on Port Townsend Bay. In 2006, NWMC and Jefferson County YMCA expanded the fleet to offer new Optimist Dinghies, the most popular learning dinghy in the world, and Vanguard 15s, two-person planing hull dinghies. These boats are safe, fast, and fun!
Register online here.
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104.
Email Programs Office.
Download 2013 Youth Program Schedule (PDF)
Youth Voyaging & Exploring
Overnight Adventures. Join us for 3 to 10 day maritime voyages for ages 11-18. Explore local Port Townsend waters, circumnavigate Marrowstone Island, or sign on for a San Juan Islands expedition. Outdoor leadership and maritime training is a core part of this program.
Choose your vessel, or experience both. Voyage aboard a replica wooden rowing and sailing 26-foot longboat that Capt. Vancouver used to survey the Puget Sound in 1792 or sail fast aboard a 26-foot Thunderbird sloop. We provide the Captains and Educators as well as all safety gear and food.
Register online here.
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104.
Email Programs Office.
Download 2013 Youth Program Schedule (PDF)
Schooner Martha
Youth, Adult & Family Trips
Take the helm. Go sailing and learn on one of the fastest and most beautiful schooners in the Pacific Northwest. Your experienced crew and teachers are Capt. Robert D'Arcy and first mate Holly who maintain, teach, and voyage aboard Martha year round. Schooner Martha turns 103 years old this year and has been meticulously maintained. She is a race car in a steady breeze. This is truly a voyage that you or your child will never forget.
Chart Your Course. On board, you'll be an integral part of the crew, from listening to the morning weather report and planning the day's destination, to hoisting sails and taking the helm. No more than six guests are on board at a time, so you'll have plenty of space to relax around the large main salon table or in the comfortable cockpit. Having only six also means the maximum attention from crew for lessons and safety. Early lights out and rising times allow guests to get plenty of rest for the full, active days. Owned by the Schooner Martha Foundation and built in 1907, at the famous W. F. Stone boatyard in San Francisco, Martha is an 84 foot B. B. Crowenshield staysail schooner, fully equipped for cruising Northwest waters, and is as picturesque as they come.
Read more about Schooner Martha.
Register online here.
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104.
Email Programs Office.
Download 2013 Youth Program Schedule (PDF)
Sea Scouts
Co-educational maritime scouting activities for ages 14-21.
Register online here.
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104.
Email Programs Office.
Download 2013 Youth Program Schedule (PDF)
High School Sailing Team
Co-ed racing team that competes regionally and nationally.
Register online here.
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104.
Email Programs Office.
Download 2013 Youth Program Schedule (PDF)
School Programs
The Northwest Maritime Center offers a variety of programs for school groups. Schools can pick from several options and design a program that works for them.
To create and schedule a program contact Nancy Israel, School Program Manager at 360-385-3628 x109 or nancy@nwmaritime.org. More information here.
Adult & Family Programs
US Sailing Accredited - Learn to Sail Classes
New this Year! The Northwest Maritime Center has received accreditation through US Sailing to teach US Sailing Certified Basic Keelboat Classes. Each student graduating from the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification Class will receive a US Sailing Membership, a Logbook and Certification Sticker that can be used around the country to rent or charter sailboats. US SAILING is the national governing association for sailing and accredits only the top schools in the country.
Our highly experienced US Sailing instructors, a year round windy bay and a beautiful waterfront location surrounded by the Olympic and Cascade Mountains combine to make the Northwest Maritime Center's Basic Keelboat Program one of the best and most beautiful in the region. Experience sailing for the first time or take your skills to the next level!
Choose your fun.
Introduction To Sailing
Spend 2-3 hours with an experienced US Sailing Instructor on a 26' Keelboat sailing on Port Townsend Bay. This class gives you and your crew the opportunity to discover what sailing is all about without committing to an entire class. It's also a great way to experience Port Townsend from the water. Perfect for the entire family!
Register Online
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104.
Email Programs Office
Download 2013 Adult Program Schedule (PDF)
Basic Keelboat "Crew" Certification:
The perfect class for first time sailors or those wishing to refresh their basic sailing skills in preparation for the Basic Keelboat Certification Class (requires both the "Crew" and "Skipper" classes). This is a great class if you want to be part of the action on the water but don't want to be in charge. If you want to know it all take the "Skippers" class next to keep building your skills and become US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certified.
Learn Parts of the Boat, Points of Sail, Sail Theory, Sailing Upwind and Downwind, Steering, Basic Knots, Safety on the Water and Practice Crew Overboard Drills.
Register Online
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104.
Email Programs Office
Download 2013 Adult Program Schedule (PDF)
Basic Keelboat "Skipper" Certification:
Build on the skills from Basic Keelboat "Crew" and become US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certified.
Learn Rules of the Road, Navigation, Advanced Sail Trim, Knots, Tacking, Gybing, Heavy Weather Tactics, Line Handling, Outboard Engine Basics, Anchoring, and focus on sailing with competence and independence.
Register Online
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104.
Email Programs Office
Download 2013 Adult Program Schedule (PDF)
Basic Keelboat Full Course Certification:
Become a US Sailing Certified Basic Keelboat Sailor in one week! This class combines the "Crew" and the "Skipper" Classes. The most recommended way to Learn to Sail.
Register Online
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104.
Email Programs Office
Download 2013 Adult Program Schedule (PDF)
Women's Only Basic Keelboat Full Course Certification:
The same class as the Basic Keelboat Full Course, combining the "Crew" and the "Skipper" Classes. but with a female Instructor and an all female crew.
Register Online
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104.
Email Programs Office
Download 2013 Adult Program Schedule (PDF)
Thunderbird Club
What do you do after you've gotten your US Sailing Certification and you don't own a sailboat? Join the T-Bird Club and sail our Thunderbirds when they are not being used for classes.
Call Ace Spragg at 360-385-3628 x103 for more information on this exciting new program. Sailors who are not alumni of our programs can also join for an additional one time fee of $75 to cover the cost of a sailing skills checkout sail with an instructor.
Club Membership Cost: $100 per month
Club Orientation Class Fee: $25 (one time)
Sailing Skills checkout Fee: $75 (one time)
Customized Sailing Classes
Perfect for students that want to learn to sail but don't require a US Sailing Certification. Grab your family, grab your friends and head out on the water to learn from our highly experienced US Sailing Instructors who will customize your lesson depending on what you personally would like to learn! No age minimum or age maximum - bring your entire family!
Refresher and Review Sailing Classes:
A great way to get your sea legs back at your own pace, also a great way to review for the Basic Keelboat Certification Class.
Friends and Family Sailing Classes: Create your own sailing class with everyone that you want to sail with for as long as you want to sail together. Hourly or Daily classes available.
Private Sailing Classes: For only you or a few. Focus on the exact skills you want to learn, review or build on. Private Lessons are the perfect way to continue building your skills after the Basic Keelboat Class and get ready for a Cruising Class or Bareboat Class.
26' Thunderbird Sailing Charters: Sit back and enjoy the ride or take a turn at the helm and trim the sails! Bring a picnic for a waterfront cruise or bring your racing spirit and join the Wednesday or Friday Night Races. Perfect for the entire family, no sailing experience required.
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104.
Email Programs Office
Download 2013 Adult Program Schedule (PDF)
Sail Training and Seamanship Classes
No Impact Docking:
This class focuses exclusively on docking, learn to dock your boat safely with confidence. Taught by docking expert "Ace" Spragg.
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104
Email Programs Office
Download 2013 Adult Program Schedule (PDF)
Intro to Radar – (Radar Simulator Class Level I) – 2.5 hours
Learn to interpret the images your Radar is displaying. An intro to True and Relative Motion, Range, Bearing and what that means to you and your vessel. Hands on Radar exercises in our Simulator Classroom.
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104
Email Programs Office
Download 2013 Adult Program Schedule (PDF)
Radar Navigation - (Radar Simulator Class Level II) – 2.5 hours
Build on your Basic Radar skills with simulated Collision Avoidance exercises. Use Vectors, Bearing Lines and Range Rings to navigate safely. Hands on Radar exercises in our Simulator Classroom.
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104
Email Programs Office
Download 2013 Adult Program Schedule (PDF)
Navigation & Piloting 10 hours – No Electronics!
This classroom based program focuses on Chart Reading, Navigational Aids, Navigational Tools, Compass Use, Latitude and Longitude, Dead-Reckoning, Triangulation, Tides and Currents, Trip Planning, Boating Resources for the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands and how to safely cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca!
Night Navigation – 2.5 hours
Learn to recognize other vessels, aids to navigation, harbor entrances and hazards at night. The class features video from our state of the art marine simulator, which accurately demonstrates the lights of Puget Sound and the vessels you might encounter.
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104
Email Programs Office
Download 2013 Adult Program Schedule (PDF)
Rules of the Road – 2.5 hours
Learn the Rules that will help to keep you operating your vessel safely. Who has the Right of Way? What should you do and when should you do it to Avoid Collisions? What tools do you have to help you stay safe on the water? Is there really a Law of Gross Tonnage? The class features scenarios from our state of the art marine simulator.
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104
Email Programs Office
Download 2013 Adult Program Schedule (PDF)
Build-a-Boat
Family and Group boat building. Family boat building is an adventure in learning and friendship. Our boat building activities are also good for team building events. Join our resident boatbuilders in assembling the Skunk Island Skiff.
Cost is $1850, including oars; course lasts five days.
Build It. Row It. Take It Home.
For more information about building a boat please call 360-385-3628 x 123
Email Boat Shop
View the 2013 Boat Building Class Schedule
Spirit of Crew
Build a team, build a dream. Experience the Spirit of Crew. Our longboats are where business and professional groups develop leadership skills. Single and multi-day corporate and business team building workshops available.
Please contact us if you are interested in getting your business or group out on the water with us.
Read more about the Spirit of Crew (PDF)
Register Phone: 360-385-3628 x104
Email Programs Office
Download 2013 Adult Program Schedule (PDF)
