NY30-7

For the longest time, I’ve wanted to sail solo across an ocean bay, and become a more proficient sailor. Sailing can be a lot of fun, but it also requires knowledge and experience. So, I enrolled in a week long, all women’s Elements of Sailing course at the Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, Maine. We studied sailing essentials in classroom training all week. The lessons included charts and navigation, safety equipment and weather conditions, knot tying and heavy-weather strategy. I enjoyed getting to know the more specific dynamics of sailing, boat rigging and spars, and safety precautions.

Each day the classes moved onto the harbor for practical lessons on sailing techniques. There was a heavy emphasis on seamanship. We had daily hands-on exercises and drills through getting underway, rigging a boat, maneuvering through the points of sail, keeping a course, tacking, returning to a mooring and dock, and so much more.

I enjoyed getting to know my classmates and had a great deal of fun. The on-the-water classroom for the week was on the Wooden Boat School’s fleet of Herreshoff and Haven 12½s—keel/centerboard daysailers. I hope to return again and again as I gain more and more experience along the way.