North U. Cruising and Seamanship Courses

The revised North U Cruising Course will teach sailing, cruising and seamanship skills. Prepared in conjunction with John Rousmaniere, author of the Annapolis Book of Seamanship, the course will focus on techniques for improved performance, safety, and enjoyment.

Special emphasis will be placed on heavy weather sailing and seamanship, safety, and emergency techniques. We'll look at the equipment, preparation, and techniques needed to prevent and handle a variety of challenges. A segment on the wonder and challenges of night sailing is sure to open you eyes and expand your cruising horizons.

Our unique approach to techniques for upwind trim and balance will translate into faster, more comfortable sailing (and less motoring) in the coming season. Whether you sail under jib and main, Gennaker, or spinnaker, our coverage of downwind sail trim will improve your reaching and running performance in all conditions.

As described by North U Director Bill Gladstone, "About half the day will focus on safety, heavy air, and emergency techniques you should know, but hopefully never need; while the other half will cover sailing and seamanship skills which you can use every day."

Included with the course is the 3rd edition North U Cruising Workbook, which is filled with practical hands on techniques, challenging problems and real world solutions. In addition, the course will use the revised North U Cruising CD-ROM to present cruising technique in full motion multi-media. The course CD is available for purchase and can be used to review the course material (plus additional material not covered in the seminars) on your home PC or Mac. (Click here for a complete description of the Workbook and CD-Rom.)

The instructors for the North U Cruising seminars are seasoned sailors, whose combined sailing skills and teaching experience mean the course will emphasize your sailing, not their sea stories. Bring your questions.

Cruising and Seamanship Class Outline

• Wind, sails, and the wonder of upwind sailing


• Trim fundamentals and sail controls


• Angle of attack, depth, and twist


• Helm balance, speed, and pointing


• Powering and depowering


• Sail selection


• Trimming to wind and sea


• Trimming for an autopilot


• Tacking

• Under mainsail and jib


• The boom vang and preventer.


• Powering and depowering


• Wing-and-wing


• Spinnakers and Gennaker


• Snuffer


• Set, Jibe, Douse

• Shortening sail


• Sailing in waves


• Slowing down and heaving-to


• Heavy weather boat handling


• Safety harnesses and jacklines


• Squall!


• Storm sailing


• Misery and danger

• Principles


• Types of anchors


• Anchoring in current, shoals, and storms


• When and how to use multiple anchors

• Risk and prevention


• Formula for disaster


• Preparing the boat and crew


• Eternal vigilance


• Emergencies!

• Predicting wind and weather


• Using wind shifts to advantage


• Tides and current


• Basic coastal piloting and dead reckoning


• Navigation aids and rules of the road


• Night sailing: pleasures and cautions