Private Sailing Instruction
Sail your boat the way it wants to be sailed.
Private sailing instruction in San Francisco Bay and Northern California — aboard your own vessel, taught by an ASA-certified instructor and USCG-licensed captain.
The Bay is one of the best classrooms in the world — and one of the most demanding. Steady afternoon winds, tidal current, ship traffic, and shifting sea state mean sailors here need real technique. Private instruction gets you there faster and with less stress than any group program.
What we cover
- Sail handling — hoisting, dropping, trimming for the conditions, sail selection.
- Boat handling — tacking, gybing, heaving-to, sailing to and from a mooring or dock.
- Reefing — when, how, and why — with clean technique for your specific rig.
- Anchoring under sail and power — scope, set, and safe swing room.
- Navigation — chart work, tides and currents in the Bay and Delta, waypoint and route planning.
- Crew communication — clear commands, calm handoffs, roles for couples and families.
- Confidence aboard — the quiet, steady kind that comes from repetition and good teaching.
Who this is for
New sailboat owners, couples where one partner wants to catch up, experienced sailors upgrading to a larger boat, and anyone preparing for offshore passages or advanced ASA endorsements. Also ideal for owners meeting insurance-required training hours.
Where we sail
San Francisco Bay, Marin, Sausalito, Richmond, Berkeley, Alameda, Oakland, Redwood City, and the Delta. Instruction happens on your boat, from your dock, in the water you actually sail.
Next step
Ready to sail your own boat with confidence?
Tell me about your vessel and what you want to work on — I'll build a plan that fits.