Adult Programs – 2023 – Old

 

Welcoming all adults of all sailing levels! Courses are open to members and non-members of ABYC.

Select courses have online registration forms that you’ll find below in the course info. For all
other questions regarding course registration, call 416-698-4498 ext 221, or email lead_instructor@abyc.ca



 

Winter Courses – 2023

Looking to improve your communications skills on the radio? Everyone who operates a keelboat should have their Operators Certificate.
The Maritime Radio course teaches emergency radio procedures, and everyday operating techniques. Learn all about the uses of marine radios, choice of frequencies, operation, phonetic alphabet, procedural words and phrases, as well as Digital Selective Calling and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, (DSC/GMDSS).NOTE: If possible, students should pick up their textbook at the ABYC office before the first class.

More details here
Register Now

Are you intrigued about how we knew where we were before GPS and Loran existed? What would you do if your electronic gadgets failed? Learn the mysteries of celestial navigation and have fun with it the next time you are out on the water!
Module 1 is a special interest standalone single weekend course that teaches the following components of the Sail Canada Celestial Navigation standard, and can be combined with Module 2 if more fun and full certification is desired:

  • Celestial Navigation basics and theory
  • The sextant and how to use it
  • How to use the Nautical Almanac and the Sight Reduction Tables
  • Sun and Noon sights
  • Hands on Sextant sights with the Sun or through an artificial horizon
  • Sight reduction problems and plotting

No certification is granted on completion of Module 1.
Register Now

See the Sail Canada Celestial Navigation Standard

The second part of the Celestial Navigation Course will focus on achieving full certification with a written test on the last day.
Skills taught will include:

  • Twilight and Star Plans
  • Stars, Planets and Polaris sight reduction problems and plotting
  • Pointer Star patterns
  • Other practical methods
  • More Hands on Sextant sights with the Sun or through an artificial horizon

To achieve accreditation, you will need to successfully pass the test and present your Sail Canada Intermediate Navigation accreditation.
Register Now

See the Sail Canada Celestial Navigation Standard

This course will help you plan for and execute a passage that may involve a long distance or overnight scenario to a known or unknown destination – in order to gain comfort and confidence to go cruising in safety with proper preparedness.
The course will simulate a sample passage in the Southern Gulf Islands, as it will expose sailors to a greater range of required preparations, planning, navigation, hazards and execution in waters that have significant tides and currents.
Some topics that will be covered are provisioning, sail plan, weather check, engine check, proper documents, crew briefings/preparations, crew overboard, emergency preparations, destination planning, navigation planning, passage making.

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Planning a trip? Want to make sure you don’t run into something along the way? You would be amazed at how many things there are out there that can make your trip go the wrong way….. In this 21-hour course you will learn how to plan a trip for an afternoon of sailing and all the meanings of the things you find printed on the charts. Basic Navigation is an excellent introduction to chart reading and passage planning.

This course is a prerequisite for Intermediate Navigation and Intermediate Cruising.
Register Now

See the Sail Canada Basic Coastal Navigation Standards

This is the Sail Canada theory portion of the Intermediate Cruising course for sailors. The course will help you figure out the systems on your boat before your next trip! It is also a great primer if you ever choose to take the Intermediate Cruising Course. It will cover the following topics:

  • Operations of your marine head and plumbing
  • Operations of your stove, furnace and their fuels
  • How to manage seasickness
  • Spare tools and parts
  • Very Basic engine maintenance and impeller replacement
  • Clearing in and out of the US or other foreign ports
  • Tips and tricks for battery power management
  • Emergency actions when things go wrong
  • How to calculate your ETA and Course

There are no pre requisites for this course. New boat owners or veteran boat owners are all welcome.
At the end of the course, if you wish to write the test, and achieve 70% or better, you will earn a Sail Canada Log book and have completed the theoretical portion of Intermediate Cruising Standard. You will be eligible to take the on-the-water portion of the course.
Register Now
See the Sail Canada Intermediate Cruising Standard

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were suddenly alone on your boat? If your sailing partner fell in, and you had to handle the boat by yourself to get back to them and get them onboard…what would you do? This 3-hour seminar will show you the manoeuvres to manage the boat, the safety equipment that could facilitate onboarding and preventive measures you could employ for future.

Register Now



Summer Courses – 2023

Coming Soon!

Summer Courses – 2023

This is the perfect course for someone who has never been sailing before and wants to try it out for the first time. If you aren’t sure sailing is for you, this is the course to take to figure that out. Start Keelboat Sailing is a Sail Canada course that gives you 18 hours on the water to get you started sailing. You and your small group will sail aboard a keelboat with a professional Sail Canada instructor, learning the basic maneuvers and the parts of the boat while having fun on the water this summer! You can continue your training with the Basic Cruising course if you wish. What to bring:

  • • You should have a properly fitting Department of Transportation approved life jacket This may be purchased at a local boating supply store or outdoor sporting goods store that carries boating equipment. We can provide one if necessary.
  • Clothing:

    • Deck (boating) shoes (preferred), or white-soled running shoes
    • Windproof/waterproof jacket or foul weather gear
    • Sun hat
    • Soft sided bag with extra warm clothing
  • Other Gear:

    • Sunscreen
    • Bottle of water
    • Snack

Register Now

  • Includes
    • Sail Canada textbook
    • Logbook and Sail Canada seal

See the Sail Canada
Start Keelboat Sailing Standard

START KEELBOAT SAILING SCHEDULE 2023

COURSE NUMBER DAYS DATES TIME
SKS N1 Tuesday & Thursday May 10-26 6-9pm
SKS N2 Monday & Wednesday Jun 20-Jul 6 6-9pm
SKS WE1 Saturday & Sunday May 14-15 9am-6pm
SKS WE2 Saturday & Sunday May 28-29 9am-6pm
SKS WE3 Saturday & Sunday Jul 9-10 9am-6pm
SKS WE4 Saturday & Sunday Jul 30-31 9am-6pm
SKS WE5 Saturday & Sunday Aug 27-28 9am-6pm
SKS WD1 Monday – Wednesday May 30-Jun 1 9:30am-3:30pm
SKS WD2 Monday – Wednesday Jul 25-27 9:30am-3:30pm
SKS WD3 Monday – Wednesday Aug 15-17 9:30am-3:30pm

For those with some sailing experience. Maybe you have taken an introductory course in sailing, such as Start Keelboat Sailing, or spent some time sailing with others and want to fill in some of the blanks. If so, Basic Cruising is the course for you. Although there are no prerequisites for this 30-hour course, it is very helpful if you have done some sailing in the past. This is the ideal course for new boat owners or those who want to move up to being the Skipper for an afternoon sail. Classes, which are scheduled at various times during the week and on weekends (see class schedule below), provide both off and on-water instruction and are designed to give students the necessary skills to act as both skipper and crew on a sailboat of up to 32 feet in length, in moderate weather conditions. The course is taught on a 22 ft. keelboat. Features:
Features:

  • 30 hours of instruction (on-the-water and classroom)
  • Sail Canada textbook
  • Logbook and Sail Canada seal
  • Taught by Sail Canada certified instructors

Includes boat handling under sail, safety equipment and procedures, basic weather and chart reading, reefing and knots, man-overboard procedures, terminology, anchoring and docking, rules of the road.

  • • The Basic Cruising Certificate is a proof of competency in Canada. Proof of Competency is required by law if you are the person in charge of the boat. Therefore, students who successfully complete the Basic Cruising Certificate will not require a their Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card.
  • Students have the option of writing the Toronto Harbour Licence test during their course.*
  • Students are encouraged to register for a Maritime Radio Restricted Operator’s Certificate course.*


* Additional Fees Apply
What to bring:

  • • You should have a properly fitting Department of Transportation approved life jacket This may be purchased at a local boating supply store or outdoor sporting goods store that carries boating equipment. We can provide one if necessary.
  • Clothing:

    • Deck (boating) shoes (preferred), or white-soled running shoes
    • Windproof/waterproof jacket or foul weather gear
    • Sun hat
    • Soft sided bag with extra warm clothing
  • Other Gear:

    • Sunscreen
    • Bottle of water
    • Snack

Introductory Coop Program

To keep you sailing!

Successful graduates of the Basic Cruising Course are invited to join the ABYC Co-op Program at a low introductory rate to continue their sailing adventures in the summer they graduate.
Spots in the Introductory Coop Program are limited. If you are interested in joining you should submit your registration request when you apply for the Basic Cruising course. You will be linked to the Introductory Coop registration form at the end of your Basic Cruising application. If you do not successfully complete the Basic Cruising course, your application for Introductory Coop will not be processed.
Should you wish to apply at a later date (after you submit your Basic Cruising application), please contact Roxanne at admin@abyc.ca for instructions. However, please note that priority is given in order of application.
Applicants will not be charged until they have completed Basic Cruising, confirmed their interest, and it has been determined that there is an available spot.
See the Sail Canada Basic Cruising Standard
Register Now for the Basic Cruising

Course No. On the water Days Start End Time: On Water: 5:30 – 9:00 pm; Theory: 6:00 – 9:00 pm; Exam: In person
N1 Mon/Wed. May 9 May 25 Theory Friday May 13 & 20, Exam Friday May 27
N2 Mon/Wed. May 30 June 15 Theory Friday Jun 3 & 10, Exam Friday Jun 17
N3 Tues/Thurs. May 31 June 16 Theory Friday Jun 3 & 10, Exam Friday Jun 17
N4 Tues/Thurs. June 21 July 7 Theory Friday Jun 24 & Jul 1, Exam Friday July 8
N5 Mon/Wed. July 11 July 27 Theory Friday Jul 15 & 22, Exam Friday July 29
N6 Tues/Thurs. July 12 July 28 Theory Friday Jul 15 & 22, Exam Friday July 29
N7 Mon/Wed Aug 1 Aug 17 Theory Friday Aug 5 & 12, Exam Friday Aug 19
N8 Tues/Thurs. Aug 2 Aug 18 Theory Friday Aug 5 & 12, Exam Friday Aug 19
Weekends 9:00am – 4:00pm
Theory Included.
Course No. Days Start End
WE1 Sat./Sun. May 14 May 22
WE2 Sat./Sun. May 28 June 5
WE3 Sat./Sun. June 11 June 19
WE4 Sat./Sun. June 25 July 3
WE5 Sat./Sun. July 16 July 24
WE6 Sat./Sun. Aug 6 Aug 14
Weekdays 9:30am – 3:00pm
Theory Included.
Course No. Days Start End
WD1 Mon-Fri. May 16 May 20
WD2 Mon-Fri. May 23 May 27
WD3 Mon-Fri. June 6 June 10
WD4 Mon-Fri. June 13 June 17
WD5 Mon-Fri. June 20 June 24
WD6 Mon-Fri. June 27 July 1
WD7 Mon-Fri. July 18 July 22
WD8 Mon-Fri. Aug 1 Aug 5
WD9 Mon-Fri. Aug 8 August 12


Designed mainly for those who have recently completed the Basic Cruising Program and want to refresh their skills. This course is essential for those who intend to sail this summer and want to be sure they remember what they learned last year (or years before…).
See the Sail Canada Basic Cruising Standard

Register Now

Designed for those who complete the Basic Cruising course in 2023. Students often feel that
they just need a bit more time on the water to review and practice what they have learned. This 7-hour day on the water
allows participants to go for a sail with an instructor on board, wherever the winds may take them!
See the Sail Canada Basic Cruising Standard
Register Now

The Maritime Radio course teaches emergency radio procedures and everyday operating techniques. Learn all about the uses of marine radios, choice of frequencies, operation, phonetic alphabet, procedural words and phrases, as well as Digital Selective Calling and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, (DSC/GMDSS).
See the Maritime Radio Restricted Operators Course Content
NOTE: If possible, students should pick up their textbook at the ABYC office before the firstclass.
Register Now

Youth Keelboat This hands-on program is for youth ages 13
– 18 who want to try keelboat sailing for the first time or who already have some sailing experience either in
keelboats or in dinghies. Upon successful completion students may obtain one of three Sail Canada certifications:

Students may register for one or both weeks.

Optional Certifications

By the Wednesday of each session, students should inform the instructor of their
interest in completing the following certifications: – Sail Canada
Basic Cruising certificate
Power Vessel Operator’s Permit (Toronto Harbour License) – must be 14
years old Student will be provided with Sail Canada Basic Cruising text (all theory will have been covered in class),
on-the-water testing, and written exams.
Exam Date for Basic Cruising certificate to be arranged
Additional fee for materials and certificate costs: $130 + HST to be paid in advance. See form for
details.
Register Now



The Power Vessel Operator Permit is required by law if your home port is within the Toronto Harbour limits. ABYC is well within the harbour limits.
Renewing an expired PVOP: You can either pay for each year of expiry to renew, or do the course again.
Obtaining a PVOP: There is both a practical and a written component of the test.
ABYC will be hosting three PVOP training and testing sessions this summer. Training will include two hours of theory teaching and one hour for the on water and written test. You will be tested in a club runabout with an outboard engine.

For more details of the PVOP, see the link Powered Vessel Operator Permit
Register Now





 

ABYC is a Sail Canada and Transport Canada certified recreational boating school.

Youth Learn to Sail Optimist Racing Toronto

Psst Moms, Dads…

Have kids that would enjoy getting out on the water, learning new skills, and making new friends?
Check out our range of dinghy and keelboat junior and youth programs.
Learn more