Colorado Sailing Lessons

A. Most sailors carry a small bag for extra gear.  If there is rain in the forecast, avoid wearing jeans or cotton as it is slow to dry.  Lightweight rain gear is recommended as we sail rain or shine.   Sailing gloves are recommended but not necessary.  Only closed-toe shoes with rubber, non-marking soles are allowed on our boats. Traditional boat shoes are inexpensive and will give you better traction than gym shoes.   PFDs are required and provided for all students. Do not forget to bring:  Sunglasses with strap * Hat *  Sunscreen * Layered Clothing * Rain Gear * Water * Snack * Closed toe shoes with non-marking rubber soles

Q. Do I need to arrive early?

A. YES!  Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin.  Your instructor will meet all students at a designated meeting point.  You will need to be with your instructor to get into the marina.  Classes begin on time and finish on time.

Q. What if I am running late?

A. You can always join a class late if we're still on the dock.  

Q. Will I be penalized for missing class without canceling more than 24 hours prior to class?

A. No, but common courtesy would dictate that you let us know if you need to cancel.

Q. What if I have to relieve myself during class? Is there a bathroom on board?

A. There is head available on the larger boat (a bathroom on a boat is called a "head").   There are public restrooms adjacent to the marina.  

Q. I have sailed before and am interested in starting with your Keelboat Cruising class.  Can I do this?

A. Yes, but please call us to confirm.  We'll ask you about your experience to help you determine if you are ready for this more advanced class.

Q. Will the boat tip over?

A. Our keelboats will not tip over in the conditions that we sail in.  They will heel (lean) in a breeze, but they are ballasted so they are very hard to tip over.  Excessive heeling is an inefficient way to sail (i.e. it is slow) and it's uncomfortable for the crew, too. We'll teach you how to sail the boats without excessive heeling.  The Coronado 15 - our racing dinghy- can capsize, but you know that already if you've signed up for a dinghy class.

Q. What if the weather is bad?  Will we still have class?

A. We have class rain or shine. However, safety is our first priority.  If there is lightning within 30 miles or if winds are consistently above 20 knots, class will be canceled.   Classes are canceled at the discretion of the instructor in light or no wind situations.  In any case of a canceled class, you will be given the opportunity to reschedule. Even if the weather seems too bad to go out in your neighborhood, call us before you decide not to head to the lake. Summer storms usually dissipate quickly in Colorado, and it could clear up by the time you get down to the lake.

Q. What is a keelboat?

A. A keelboat is a sailboat with a keel- usually a long, thin underwater "fin" that serves two purposes. First, it is usually ballasted with lead or iron to help keep the boat upright and add stability. The second function is to reduce leeway (sideways movement) through the water.  In other words, the keel adds "lift" which allows the boat to sail upwind.

Q. What is a dinghy?

A. For our purposes, a dinghy is a small sailboat that is less than 20 feet long and utilizes a centerboard or daggerboard for lift and crew weight for ballast. A dinghy could also be a small craft used for short trips between a moored boat and shore.

Q. What is a RIB?

A. A RIB is a "rigid inflatable boat".  A Zodiac is a brand name of inflatable and rigid inflatable boats.  RIBs are lightweight, portable and can carry a heavy load. If equipped with an outboard, they are usually pretty speedy.

Q. What is the difference between daysailing and cruising?

A. Daysailing is what it implies, more or less.  While one could do some overnighting/camping on a daysailer such as the J/22, but it would not be comfortable for more than one or two nights at most.  Cruising implies going out sailing for multiple days, weeks or months covering a long distance.  Our cruising class teaches more advanced sailing theory in addition to boat systems and more detailed information that one would need to know to spend multiple days on the water.

Q. What is a spinnaker?

A. The spinnaker (a/k/a the "chute" or the "kite") is a very large sail made from lightweight (usually colorful) nylon. It is used to capture as much wind as possible when sailing downwind.

Q. I have taken your classes, and while the Sail Share Program makes sense, I really just want to have my own boat so I can sail anytime and anywhere that I want to.  How do I figure out what boat to buy?

A. Buying a boat can be as easy or as daunting as you want it to be.  There are literally thousands of different sailboats available in the market (most are used and no longer in production). There are lots of decisions and things to think about- far too many to mention here.  The good news is that we've owned dozens of different boats and sailed on even more.  While we don't sell boats, we do want to see people get into the right boat for their needs.  Being in the right boat really makes all the difference.  Just call or email and we'll be glad to talk you through the choices.

Q.  I think that I have found the boat of my dreams and I'm ready to buy it. What could go wrong?

A.  Loving the boat that you want to buy is important, but as with any old piece of sophisticated equipment, buyer beware!   Boats, like houses, can have a host of hidden problems. Some are merely cosmetic. Others can be outright dangerous.  A rig coming down can severely injure or worse. Other problems can really hurt resale value as well.  Before you buy, have the boat inspected by a pro.  Call us as we can provide a pre-purchase survey.

Have your own sailing questions?  Just send me an email and I'll do my best to get you an answer.

Toby@rockymountainsailing.com

 Rocky Mountain Sailing is a limited liability company.