I want to charter or cruise the world...

Heading off to cruise the world in your own boat, or charting a bareboat in an unfamiliar vacation location requires that you are a competent skippper.

Developing confident and competent sailors is the reason why we offer you the American Sailing Association (ASA) sailiing program. The ASA program is unique in its focus on boat safety, cruising, skipper skills, and seamanship, in additon to sailing.

When you learn to sail through Tradewinds Sailing School:

• You learn cruising skills that many sailing programs will not teach you
  
  
• Learning to sail on the San Francisco Bay prepares you changing sailing conditions. The old saying is "If you learn to sail on San Francisco Bay, you can sail anywhere."
  
  
• You will be ASA certified. ASA certification is highly respected by most worldwide charting companies.
  
  
• You learn boat systems, as well as sailing. Knowing the basics of engines, electrical, and transmission systems could mean the difference between an enjoyable vacation or a nightmare.
  
  
• You learn sailing from instructors who charter bareboats, have done ocean passages, and some who have circumnavigated
  
  
• You can take specialty class that focus on advanced topics, such as anchoring, docking, and sail trim

Being a member of our Sailing Club:

• You get exposure to many different types of boats, engines, and systems. As you move from one boat model to the next and sail each different boat in the ever changing weather of the San Francisco Bay, you gain confidence and knowledge.
  
  
• You have opportunities to join the club on local trips "out the Gate" for a taste of coastal and bareboat sailing
  
• You can also join the Club on their group bareboat charters throughout the world. This gives you a taste of sailing in foreign waters and the security of learning the ins and outs of chartering with experienced sailors.
  
  
• We extend to you a discount when you charter from Moorings or SunSail

And, if you are looking to buy a boat, you will have a good understanding of these boat ownership topics:

• different boat systems
• how boat design affects the way that the boat sailing
• the many different ways that boats can be rigged
• the importance of great communication with your crew
• how to think "smart" when sailing
• a better idea of what type of boat you want for your own
• whether boat ownership is right for you