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 docking.  Additional 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. 

2023 Basic Sailing Zest Class Schedule

Section Start Date End Date Days Time
ZEST01 Mar 4 Mar 5 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
ZEST02 Mar 20 Mar 23 Mon – Th 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
ZEST03 Apr 1 Apr 2 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
ZEST04 Apr 17 Apr 20 Mon – Th 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
ZEST05 May 22 May 25 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
ZEST06 June 19 June 22 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
ZEST07 June 24 June 25 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
ZEST08 July 24 July 27 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
ZEST09 July 29 July 30 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
ZEST010 Aug 7 Aug 10 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
ZEST011 Aug 26 Aug 27 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
ZEST012 Sept 18 Sept 21 Mon – Th 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
ZEST013 Sept 30 Oct 1 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
ZEST014 Oct 9 Oct 12 Mon – Th 3:00 PM – 6:30 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.

2023 Basic Sailing Quest Class Schedule

Section Start Date End Date Days Time
QUEST01 Mar 13 Mar 16 Mon – Th 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
QUEST02 Mar 25 Mar 26 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
QUEST03 Apr 10 Apr 13 Mon – Th 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
QUEST04 Apr 22 Apr 23 Sat & Sun 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
QUEST05 May 15 May 18 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
QUEST06 June 5 June 8 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
QUEST07 June 17 June 18 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
QUEST08 July 10 July 13 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
QUEST09 July 22 July 23 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
QUEST010 Aug 5 Aug 6 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
QUEST011 Aug 14 Aug 17 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
QUEST012 Sept 9 Sept 10 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
QUEST013 Oct 7 Oct 8 Sat & Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
QUEST014 Oct 16 Oct 19 Mon – Th 3:00 PM – 6:30 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

2023 Basic Sailing Keelboat Class Schedule

Section Start Date End Date Days Time
KEEL01 Mar 6 Mar 9 Mon – Th 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
KEEL02 Mar 18 Mar 26 Sat & Sun 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
KEEL03 Apr 3 Apr 6 Mon – Th 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
KEEL04 May 8 May 11 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
KEEL05 June 3 June 11 Sat & Sun 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
KEEL06 June 26 June 29 Mon – Th 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
KEEL07 July 8 July 16 Sat & Sun 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
KEEL08 Aug 12 Aug 20 Sat & Sun 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
KEEL09 Aug 28 Aug 31 Mon – Th 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
KEEL010 Sept 11 Sept 14 Mon – Th 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
KEEL011 Sept 16 Sept 24 Sat & Sun 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
KEEL012 Oct 2 Oct 5 Mon – Th 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM
KEEL013 Oct 14 Oct 22 Sat & Sun 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM