Community Basic Keelboat Classes
**2025 class registrations will be released November 29th**
College of Charleston Sailing offers non-credit, adult community Keelboat classes that run from May through August. The classes last about three weeks and include 15 hours of instruction on-the-water and two, 2 hour classroom sessions. In order to offer to most amount of hands-on experience, group classes have a maximum of 18 students per class; three students per boat. We provide both weekend and weekday classes to fit your scheduling needs. The weekday classes start with lecture on Monday and sailing on Tuesday and Thursday. The weekend class starts with lecture on Friday and sailing Saturday and Sunday. By joining the class, you will also receive a textbook with all the information needed to expand your knowledge on sailing.
We use J-22’s as they are a safe and responsive 22-foot sailboat with keel. Having a keel, these boats are more stable and do not capsize. This class will provide student with the skills necessary to independently skipper a 22ft sailboat.
Early bird cost (November 29 – December 31) : $550/student
Regular cost (January 1 – July 31) – $595/student
2025 Basic Keelboat Class Schedule
Session 1 Lecture (Monday 6:00-8:00 pm): May 5th, 19th
On The Water (Tues/Thurs 6:00-8:30 pm)- May 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22
**Session 1 reserved make up days due to inclement weather – May 26, 27, 29
Session 2 Lecture (Fri 6:00-8:00 pm): May 2nd, 16th
On The Water (Sat/Sun 6:00-8:30 pm)- May 3, 4, 10, 11*, 17, 18
**Session 2 reserved make up days due to inclement weather – May 23, 24, 25
*Mother’s Day Weekend
Session 3 Lecture (Monday 6:00-8:00 pm): June 2nd, 16th
On the Water (Tues/Thurs 6:00-8:30 pm): June 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19
**Session 3 reserved make up days due to inclement weather – June 23, 24, 26
Session 4 Lecture (Fri 6:00-8:00 pm): June 6th, 20th
On the Water (Sat/Sun 6:00-8:30 pm): June 7, 8, 14, 15*, 21, 22
**Session 4 reserved make up days due to inclement weather – June 27, 28, 29
*Father’s Day Weekend
Session 5 Lecture (Monday 6:00-8:00 pm):June 30th, July 14th
On the Water (Tues/Thurs 6:00-8:30 pm): July 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17
**Session 5 reserved make up days due to inclement weather – July 21, 22, 24
Session 6 Lecture (Fri 6:00-8:00 pm): July 4th*, 18th
On the Water (Sat/Sun 6:00-8:30 pm): July 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20
* July 4th – Independence Day
**Session 6 reserved make up days due to inclement weather – July 25, 26, 27
Session 7 Lecture (Monday 6:00-8:00 pm): August 4th, 18th
On the Water (Tues/Thurs 6:00-8:30 pm): Aug 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21
**Session 7 reserved make up days due to inclement weather – August 25, 26, 28
Session 8 Lecture (Fri 6:00-8:00 pm): Aug 1st, 15th
On the Water (Sat/Sun 6:00-8:30 pm): Aug 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17
**Session 8 reserved make up days due to inclement weather – August 22, 23, 24
*We offer a 10% discount for all military personnel, senior citizens and faculty/staff. Use the code SMFS16 at checkout!
If you are unable to attend the session after registering, please let us know as soon as possible. A full refund will be issued if cancellation is requested 14 days prior to the session start date. Cancellation within 14 days will result in a $100 fee. There is no fee associated with transferring to a different session.
We look forward to seeing you on the water!
Kelly Arrindell
(843) 216-8450
Intermediate Sailing Class
Our Intermediate Sailing Class is designed to take your keelboat sailing skills to the next level. These classes will be 3 full days of sailing. Friday through Sunday from 9-5 with a lunch break. Some of the topics that they will cover are:
-Sail shape and trim with full sails
-Tell-tails, Puffs, Lulls, Lifts and Headers
-Weather/Lee/Neutral Helm
-Close quarters sailing (sailing in/out of marina and on/off the dock)
-Rigging and sailing with the spinnaker
These classes will be around 21 hours of lectures and sailing. The tuition will be $595 per student. The class will take place on our j22 sailboats. Each boat will have teams of 3-4 ppl that throughout the class will perfect their teamwork skills.
Intermediate Keelboat Class Schedule
Our next Intermediate class is scheduled for September 6th, 14th and 15th
September 6th: Lecture from 6:30pm-8:30pm
September 14th and 15th: Sailing from 9am-5pm
If you are interested but unable to attend please email Kelly at arrindellk@cofc.edu to be put on a wait list for future classes.
You may sign up as an individual and be assigned to a boat. For a discounted rate, you may sign up as a team (3-4 ppl). Please contact us at arrindellk@cofc.edu if you are interested in furthering your sailing knowledge.