Youth Programs

COVID-19 UPDATE: The Castine Yacht Club is committed to maintaining the safest experience possible for our members and their guests. Based on Maine State and CDC recommendations, please view our COVID-19 Guidelines before visiting the Club.

Please note that due to limited space, CYC cannot guarantee spots in Youth Sailing until June 15th.

Please email programs@castineyachtclub.org with any questions.

Youth Sailing Weekly Schedule

Novice: T & W 9:30am–11:30am
Apprentice: M/T/TH/F 9:30am–12pm
Helmsman: M/T/TH 1pm–4pm W 11:30am–4pm (Day Sail) Navigator: M/T/TH 1pm–4pm W 11:30am–4pm (Day Sail)

Junior Program 2020 Dates

June 22: Program Start
August 21: Program End

Tuition

Members (family & single)
Novice: $40/week
Apprentice: $80/week
Helmsman/Navigator: $85/week

Jr. Member ($300 fee payable to Golf Club)
Apprentice, Helmsman & Navigator: $150/week

Non-Member
Novice: $80/week
Apprentice, Helmsman & Navigator: $250/week

Novice

6-8 years of age

Designed for children just beginning to sail and spend time on the water. This class meets two mornings (possibility of a third mid summer) a week and will include nautical games, hands on outdoor class lessons and time on-the-water in powerboats and rowboats.

Apprentice

8-11 years of age

For children who may or may not have a summer of previous class time. This class is on-the-water in Turnabouts, Optis, powerboats, larger sailboats, our Castine Class sailboat and rowboats. The class meets four mornings a week and will focus on basic boating skills as well as the finer art of sail trim, knots and dead-reckoning navigation.

Helmsman

11-13 years of age

The Helmsman class is held three afternoons a week mostly in Optimists “Optis.” This single handed sprit rigged dinghy is a wonderful teacher as well as a tutor in humility. ‘If one can sail an Optimist well, one can sail any boat he/she steps aboard.’ In addition to the Opti, students are on-the-water in our Castine Class sailboat, powerboats, rowboats and larger sailboats. Class time will concentrate on advanced rigging and line techniques, charting, general nautical awareness and the Racing Rules of Sailing. We will introduce racing. In addition to the three afternoon classes, the Helmsman level participates in a Wednesday picnic cruise.

Navigator

14-18 years of age

Older sailors will have the opportunity to participate in 420’s, Colgates or Mercuries for lessons in short course racing, general navigation and team racing as well as classroom discussions. The class meets each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in the afternoons. On Wednesday, the class will participate in the picnic cruise. Inter-club regattas in 420’s will be held several times throughout the summer.