General Information Safety @ Sea Fun Stuff Resources

Lessons

I am available to teach you on your own boat or one that I supply. I hold a US Coast Guard Masters 50 GT, Near Coastal license with sailing and towing endorsements. I can teach up to six people at one time, depending on the class, although most classes have four students.

Please email me if you have general questions.

Currently, I'm offering the following lessons. Classes are individually tailored to meet your specific needs after we get through the basics and are typically two to four days. Workshops are typically a half day (or long evening).

4th of July Cruising and Fireworks

This is a one-evening cruise, starting at approximately 6pm and going until the fireworks are over (approximately 10 pm).

We will:

  • Take a bay cruise through the Southhampton Shoal Channel to Raccoon Straights and on to Richardson Bay off picturesque Sausalito.
  • Anchor and enjoy the sunset.
  • Watch the fireworks fired from several locations.
  • Have a leisurely sail to the home port.

The cost is $85/person, two-person minimum, six-persons maximum. No sailing experience is required!

Please email me for more information and to sign up as an alternate.

If you have any questions, please ask!

Basic Cruising Class

This is a two-day class, eight hours each day. We'll cover the following items.

  • Sail dynamics, including balance, Center of Effort, Center of Lateral Resistance, Weather and Lee Helm
  • Basic Rules of the Road for Sail and Power
  • Lights at Night (running and anchor)
  • Knots to live by, including the bowline, coiling and heaving, cleat hitch, reef, sheet bend, rolling hitch, figure eight and monkey fist, and the round turn and two half hitches
  • Reefing, when, why, and how
  • General navigation and buoyage
  • Tides and currents, including the concept of set and drift
  • Big boat electrical systems, including AC/DC and bilge pump operation
  • Head operation
  • Engine tour
  • VHF radio procedures, including Mayday, PanPan, Securite
  • Safety equipment and USCG requirements
  • Docking and using the engine, including back-and-fill and backing
  • General boat handling skills, including hoisting, reefing underway, sail trim, tacking and jibing review, points of sail, and heaving to
  • Crew Overboard (COB)
  • Anchoring

The cost is $190/person, two-person minimum, four-person maximum. Mimimum requirement is previous sailing experience.

Please email me for more information and to sign up. There are several upcoming classes:

I strongly suggest you get a copy of either ASA Sailing Fundamentals or USSailing Basic Cruising books. In addition, you should review the handout prior to class.

Night time Crew Overboard Workshop

One of the most dangerous things that can happen on sailboat is someone falling off the boat. And, as a result, the COB drills are part of a standard lesson plan. Even more dangerous is falling off at night, yet this is hardly ever planned for beyond the admonition to not fall off the boat.

In this workshop, we'll practice retrieving a target at night. We'll explore the traditional Figure Eight (or Quick Turn) maneuver and the LifeSling recovery technique. The workshop will have approximately three hours underway, plus some dock time discussion.

The cost is $90/person, two-person minimum, four-person maximum. Minimum requirement is previous sailing experience. Please email me for more information and to sign up. There are several upcoming classes:

If you're interested, please email me for more information.

Night time Cruising Workshop

It's not all about danger and being careful; It's a also about having a great time while sailing safely at night.

We'll cover the essentials, such as:

  • Night time navigation aids
  • Local knowledge, landmarks, and hazards
  • Recognizing other vessels

And, we'll have a nice cruise, taking in the sights and the restaurant smells, all in about three hours (or more), depending on the conditions.

The cost is $85/person, two-person minimum.

Please email me for more information and to sign up.

Heavy Weather Sailing Workshop

Heavy weather can be the norm rather than the exception on the SF bay. Be prepared to handle winds over 25 kts. The class is approximately four hours, depending on conditions.

The cost is $90/person, two-person minimum. Minimum requirement is previous sailing experience.

The general curricula for the workshop is:

  • Boat preparation for weather (discussion and practical)
  • A review of what drives a boat
  • Basic reefing techniques (while under sail)
  • Heaving to
  • Docking issues

Please email me for more information and to sign up.

Docking and Boat-handling Workshop

Docking and general boat handling is one of the most challenging skills to learn as a new sailor. Sailboats with a single prop handle a lot differently than a powerboat with a single prop. This workshop gives you the skill and confidence to get your (or someone else's) boat in and out of a slip with the minimum amount of hassle and stress. In addition, you'll learn how to turn the boat around in the absolute minimum amount of space (typically not much more than its own length) and maneuver in tight/close quarters.

The cost is $75/person, two-person minimum.

The general curricula for the workshop is:

  • Basic theory (including understanding prop-walk)
  • Boat and line preparation
  • Formulating a backup plan
  • Line handling techniques (including spring lines)
  • Stern-to and bow-to techniques
  • Inboard engine techniques
  • Logical crew assignments
  • Cast off and docking practice

Please email me for more information and to sign up.

Deposit requirements for lessons

Please note that a deposit is required to hold your reservation. You should still contact me first regarding the specific lesson and you will be placed on the list. Sending in a deposit without first signing up means that I'll be one step closer to retirement. ;-)

I'll let you know the specifics of the deposit amount after we settle on the date.

You can now send in your deposit online with a Visa or Mastercard! If you'd like to do this, click on the following button. This is a secure transaction.

Here's how it works...
  1. Click on the PayPal logo.
  2. Enter the amount of the deposit.
  3. Log in to your PayPal account.
  4. Click the Send Money tab.
If you'd rather send me a check, use the following address.

    SailNOW
    Attn: Jonathan Ganz
    P.O. Box 1964
    Orangevale, CA 95662

Canceling or not showing up

If you need to cancel, please let me know at least one week in advance. (I'd prefer even more notice, if possible.) Anything less will mean that you'll probably lose your deposit. Emergencies come up. Let me know if that happens. If I cancel (for whatever reason), I will refund your deposit. Light rain doesn't necessarily mean the lesson is cancelled, so please show up or call me and let me decide.

I may have to postpone the class or charter due to special circumstances. Depending on your situation, I may offer a refund of some or all of your deposit.