Basic Sailing Classes

Zest, Quest or Keel boats

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This course is designed for those with little or no sailing experience.  It can also serve as a refresher course for those who have not recently sailed. This allows students to become certified to rent the boat that best fits their needs.  Each course covers boating safety sailing theory, knots and rigging procedures as well as as basic skills for tacking, jibing, sail trim and dockingAdditional skills are covered as needed for the unique differences of each boat.  Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will receive a free two hour rental credit. 

Children 12-15 years old must have a parent present.

people sailing

Please read each of the course/boat descriptions to select the boat the best fits your needs and physical capabilities.  

Zest and Quest Sailboats:

For the Zest and Quest you will be required to capsize the boat at the dock, swim to the centerboard and right the boat, then climb back into the boat.  In addition, these two boats require the ability to sit in a low position, squat and be on your knees, and frequently reposition yourself to balance the boat.  The Zest and Quest are stored on the dock; renters are required to slide the boats on and off the dock.

See below for more information on each class and class schedule.

Keelboat Sailboat

The Keelboat, a larger and more stable, has bench-style seating and does not have a capzise requirement.  However, a basic swim test is required.  See below for more information on the Keelboat and the class schedule.

The book used for this course if the Learn Sailing Right Beginning Sailing book (IBSN: 978-0-979467-2-1). The book is included in the cost of the class. Picking up your book early is recommended but not required.

Course Details

Length: 14 hours
Minimum Enrollment: 3
Maximum Enrollment: 10
Zest & Quest Minimum Age Requirement: 12 
Keelboat Minimum Age Requirement: 16
(15 year old may take Keelboat class when parent is registered also)

Pricing

General Public: $225
CSUS Alumni: $220
Affiliates: $200
Sac State Students: $150

What to Expect

  • You will get wet! Bring a towel
  • You should wear clothes that are comfortable and can get wet
  • Shoes should either be tennis shoes or sandals with a heel strap
  • NO FLIP FLOPS
  • The Front Office staff can hold your keys during class.
  • Any other personal belongings can be stored in our $0.50 one-time use locker; which takes two quarters.

Register Online Here

Basic Sailing Zest

Man sailing a zest sailboat on lake natoma

Physicality: High

The newest addition to our fleet, the Zest sailboat is taught using a mainsail only and can be sailed by one person (single-handed.)  It is the easiest to rig and sail, and compared to the Quest, it is more stable and easier to recover from a capsize.  

The Zest is 12 feet long, 5 feet wide and weighs 160 pounds.  It is our best option for practicing basic skills and sailing solo if you do not have a partner.  However, it will easily accommodate an adult and a child or two average-sized adults. 

2024 Basic Sailing Zest Class Schedule

Section Start Date End Date Days Time
ZEST01 Apr 1 Apr 4 Mon – Th 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
ZEST02 May 13 May 16 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
ZEST03 June 1 June 2 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
ZEST04 June 17 June 20 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
ZEST05 July 13 July 14 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
ZEST06 July 22 July 25 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
ZEST07 Aug 10 Aug 11 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
ZEST08 Aug 19 Aug 22 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
ZEST09 Sept 7 Sept 8 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
ZEST010 Sept 16 Sept 19 Mon – Th 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Basic Sailing Quest

Physicality: Very High

One man and one women in a Quest sailboat on Lake Natoma

The Quest sailboat is taught using a mainsail and a jib and requires two people to rent at the Aquatic Center (only one person need to be certified.)  Students will be paired for on the water training.

The Quest is 14 feet long, 6 feet wide and weighs 310 pounds; it is a bit more difficult to balance and recover from a capsize.  Most sailing programs utilize this type of boat; it is suitable for beginners but also for learning more advanced sailing techniques.

2024 Basic Sailing Quest Class Schedule

Section Start Date End Date Days Time
QUEST01 Apr 13 Apr 14 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
QUEST02 May 6 May 9 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
QUEST03 June 3 June 6 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
QUEST04 June 15 June 16 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
QUEST05 July 8 July 11 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
QUEST06 July 20 July 21 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
QUEST07 Aug 5 Aug 8 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
QUEST08 Aug 17 Aug 18 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
QUEST09 Sept 9 Sept 12 Mon – Th 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
QUEST010 Sept 23 Sept 26 Mon – Th 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
QUEST011 Sept 28 Sept 29 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Basic Sailing Keelboat

Physicality: Moderate

3 people in the Holder 20 Keelboat sailing on Lake Natoma

The Holder 20 Keelboat is our largest and most stable boat with boat mainsail and jib.  As with the Quest, it requires two people to rent (only one person needs to be certified.)  Three to five students will be grouped for on the water training.  With its larger cockpit and bench style seating the keelboat can accommodate four to six adults and is the best choice for those who want a less physically demanding boat.  

There is no capsize recovery required as the boat is extremely unlikely to capsize

2024 Basic Sailing Keelboat Class Schedule

Section Start Date End Date Days Time
KEEL01 Mar 18 Mar 21 Mon – Th 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
KEEL02 Apr 22 Apr 25 Mon – Th 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
KEEL03 May 20 May 23 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
KEEL04 June 10 June 13 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
KEEL05 June 22 June 30 Sat & Sun 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM
KEEL06 July 15 July 18 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
KEEL07 July 27 Aug 4 Sat & Sun 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM
KEEL08 Aug 12 Aug 15 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
KEEL09 Aug 26 Aug 29 Mon – Th 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
KEEL010 Sept 14 Sept 22 Sat & Sun 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM
KEEL011 Sept 30 Oct 3 Mon – Th 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM
KEEL012 Oct 12 Oct 20 Sat & Sun 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM