2023 Community Basic Keelboat Class

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 Thursday and sailing on Monday and Wednesday. The weekend class starts with lecture on Friday and sailing Saturday and Sunday.

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.

Basic Keelboat Class Schedule

Session 1 Lecture (Thurs 6:00-8:00 pm): May 4th, 18th

On The Water (Mon/Wed 6:00-8:30 pm)- May 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24

Session 2 Lecture (Fri 6:00-8:00 pm): May 5th, 19th

On The Water (Sat/Sun 6:00-8:30 pm)- May 6, 7, 13, 14*, 20, 21

*Mother’s Day Weekend

Session 3 Lecture (Thurs 6:00-8:00 pm): June 1st, 15th

On the Water (Mon/Wed 6:00-8:30 pm): June 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21

Session 4 Lecture (Fri 6:00-8:00 pm): June 2nd, 16th

On the Water (Sat/Sun 6:00-8:30 pm): June 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18*

*Father’s Day Weekend

Session 5 Lecture (Thurs 6:00-8:00 pm):July 6th, 20th

On the Water (Mon/Wed 6:00-8:30 pm): July 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26

Session 6 Lecture (Fri 6:00-8:00 pm): July 7th, 21st

On the Water (Sat/Sun 6:00-8:30 pm): July 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23

Session 7 Lecture (Thurs 6:00-8:00 pm): Aug 3rd, 17th

On the Water (Mon/Wed 6:00-8:30 pm): Aug 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23

Session 8 Lecture (Fri 6:00-8:00 pm): Aug 4th, 18th

On the Water (Sat/Sun 6:00-8:30 pm): Aug 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20

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

Intermediate Sailing: #1 July 28, 29, 30 (9am-5pm)


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.


*We offer a 10% discount for all military personnel and faculty/staff. Use the code SMFS16 at checkout!

We look forward to seeing you on the water!
Kelly Arrindell, (843) 216 8450
arrindellk@cofc.edu