Sailing Programs & Certifications

SAILING PROGRAMS

Whether you are considering the purchase of a larger sailboat or seeking American Sailing Association certifications or simply want to learn to sail, you can choose from several programs offered here at Chapman School.

• Offshore Sailing - 7 days / 6 nights.
• Coastal Cruising - 5 days / 4 nights.
• Coastal Cruising - 3 days / 2 nights.
• Private Instruction - Designed just for you.
• A.S.A. Certifications - Taken as a separate course or with classes listed above.

Admissions to Sailing Programs - Participants must be 18 years of age or older and in good health.  Applicants between the ages of 15 to 17 will be accepted, provided they have written permission from their parent or guardian. Students must have an official photo ID on the first day of class.  Submit the completed and signed Enrollment Application with the non-refundable deposit for the course(s) chosen.

Training Vessels - All training vessels used for Offshore Sailing are of an ocean going type and operated by USCG licensed captains/instructors.

LIVE-ABOARD OFFSHORE SAILING

Whether you are considering sailing certifications or just want to learn to sail, our 7 day/6 night sailing program is the way to go.

This live-aboard program has a three student minimum and the tuition includes the following with no hidden costs:

• Tuition Dep....$780.00    Tuition Bal....$815.00    Tuition Total....$1595.00

• A full seven day/six night cruise.

• ASA Captain/Instructor fees & daily instruction.

• Provisions for entire cruise.

• Cruising Permits & Customs Fees for US and Bahamas.

• 3 nights dockage.

• All ASA textbooks (sent to you in advance), exams and certification seals for the two levels for which you qualify if you choose to train for ASA certifications.

• No collision damage waiver fee or additional deposits.

Offshore Sailing Payments - A $780 non-refundable deposit is due with the Enrollment Application.  Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you written acceptance along with course study materials and itinerary. The tuition balance is due no later than 10 days prior to the day of departure.  We advise that you not purchase non-refundable transportation until we confirm the required minimum of three students.

 Offshore Sailing Description - The course begins on a Saturday at 8:00 AM at the campus in Stuart and extends through the following Friday afternoon.

Weather permitting, cruises will be to the Bahamas. Safety considerations may require that an alternate route be taken. In such a case, the cruise will be in the waters of South Florida and the Florida  Keys. Should the vessel become weathered in at the  Bahamas, the Chapman School will provide sufficient provisions until the vessel returns to the US. Any student wishing to return earlier must provide his or her own transportation home.

 
LIVE-ABOARD COASTAL CRUISING

These programs are designed for those who want more than our day long programs but do not have the time for our seven day offshore voyage.

These sailing programs have a two student minimum and the tuition includes the following with no hidden costs:

Coastal Cruising - 5 day:

• Tuition Dep....$595.00    Tuition Bal....$600.00    Tuition Total....$1195.00

• A five day/four night cruise.

• ASA Captain/Instructor fees & daily instruction.

• Provisions for entire cruise.

• Cruising Permits

• 2 nights dockage.

• ASA levels 103 and 104.

• No collision damage waiver fee or additional deposits.

Coastal Cruising Payments - A $595 non-refundable deposit is due with the Enrollment Application.  Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you written acceptance along with course study materials and itinerary.  The tuition balance is due no later than 10 days prior to the day of departure.  We advise that you not purchase non-refundable transportation until we confirm the required minimum of two students.

 Coastal Cruising Description - The course begins at 8:00 AM and the voyage will follow a route outside the St. Lucie Inlet into the Atlantic Ocean.  From there you will either sail north or south depending on conditions.

Coastal Cruising - 3 day:

• Tuition Dep....$420.00    Tuition Bal....$430.00    Tuition Total....$850.00

• A three day/two night cruise.

• ASA Captain/Instructor fees & daily instruction.

• Provisions for entire cruise.

• Cruising Permits

• 1 nights dockage.

• All ASA textbooks (sent to you in advance), exams and certification seals for one level of ASA training up to level 104 (Bareboat Certification) based on eligibility.

• No collision damage waiver fee or additional deposits.

Coastal Cruising Payments - A $420 non-refundable deposit is due with the Enrollment Application.  Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you written acceptance along with course study materials and itinerary.  The tuition balance is due no later than 10 days prior to the day of departure.  We advise that you not purchase non-refundable transportation until we confirm the required minimum of two students.

 Coastal Cruising Description - The course begins at 8:00 AM and the voyage will follow a route outside the St. Lucie Inlet into the Atlantic Ocean.  From there you will either sail north or south depending on conditions.

BOTH OFFSHORE SAILING AND COASTAL CRUISING

 Orientation and Vessel Preparation - Students meet to get acquainted with each other, their instructor and the vessel that will be their home throughout the program.  A voyage plan will be made, crew responsibilities assigned and safety requirements reviewed.

All provisions are provided by the Chapman School and will be aboard the vessel in sufficient quantity to feed everyone.  When completing the Enrollment Application, please note any dietary restrictions so that menus can be planned appropriately. When at dockside, the student may choose to dine ashore.

 Onboard Review & Dockside Procedures - All hands will help prepare the vessel for departure following a pre-departure checklist.  The checklist will include all maintenance systems and equipment.  Safety equipment will be inventoried, its condition checked and storage locations noted.  Immediately prior to departure, a review will be conducted of all safety procedures, rules of the road, watch assignments and crew control.  A review will be conducted of regulations and rules governing the handling of waste products, potential pollutants and other materials damaging to the marine environment.  Procedures for handling lines, fenders and leaving the dock will be reviewed, then executed as the trip begins.

 Underway Procedures & Activities - Throughout the voyage, all hands will stand helm watches. They will review and practice authorized radio procedures, boat handling and helmsmanship, hoisting and furling sails, reefing for heavy winds, sail trim and balance, tacking and jibing, chart reading, navigation and safety procedures, man overboard exercises and other activities related to the chosen ASA level(s) of study.

 Final Review and Testing for those seeking ASA certification.

Offshore Sailing - Students may elect to take up to two levels of ASA certification, at no additional cost, during the Offshore Sailing cruise.

Coastal Cruising - Students may elect to take ASA level(s) of certification 103 and/or 104 depending on the cruising course selected.  Prior to arrival back at Chapman School, the captain will review the information and then administer the ASA written exam(s). Upon  successful completion of both the practical and written exam(s), students will be approved for the ASA certificate.

 For complete details on ASA certifications, please refer to the American Sailing Association (ASA) brochure.

 Clothing and Equipment

Day Sailors - Hat, water, shorts, T-shirt, sunblock, rain gear and boat shoes.

Offshore & Coastal Sailors - Each student should bring clothing of a type suitable for shipboard living and sufficient to last for the duration of the trip. ONLY SOFT LUGGAGE WILL BE PERMITTED aboard the training vessel in the form of one large or two small duffel or flight bags.

 Recommended Clothing & Other Personal Items:

• Boating shoes and warm socks.

• Sweater and warm jacket.

• One semi-dress outfit for dinner or R&R ashore.

• Washcloth and large beach towel.

• Asprin or equivalent.

• Bathing suits and sun block.

• 3 or 4 pairs of shorts and T-shirts.

• Foul-weather gear

• Seasick medication

• Prescribed medications and prescription bottles with the user's name on the label.

• Passport, Birth Certificate, or Voter Registration card per Bahamian and US immigration requirements.

CLASS SCHEDULE - 2007

REFUND POLICY

• If the application is not accepted by the Chapman School, all payments made by the applicant will be refunded.

• If cancellation is requested within three (3) business days after signing the Enrollment Application, all payments made by the applicant will be refunded.

• If cancellation is requested more than three (3) business days after signing the Enrollment Application, but before the beginning of classroom instruction, the applicant is obligated for the non-refundable tuition deposit, which may be applied to a future boating course within one year.

• For the student terminating training after the beginning of the course, the student is obligated for the full amount of the contract price.

• Trip cancellation insurance is available through your travel agent and we strongly suggest that you purchase it at the time of booking.

• Applicable refunds are made within thirty (30) days.

STUDENT HOUSING

Description
Campus housing is available to the students for the night preceding the start of a course and the night following its completion, on a space available basis.  Campus housing consists of dormitory apartments.  Each unit contains a bedroom, convertible living room/bedroom, bath, kitchenette and a screened porch.  The number of students per unit during this program is a maximum of three.  All units are air-conditioned, fully furnished and equipped with refrigerator, countertop range and cooking utensils.   Housing is offered on a space available basis. Sorry, no pets.  Payment for onshore housing must accompany the Enrollment Application.  Should the student be unable to attend the program in which he or she is registered, the housing fee is refundable.

Housing Fees
Security Deposit....$50.00    Housing Fee (per night)....$50.00
For a second or third person in the party add $10 per night/per person.  Housing fee includes utilities.

Housing Security Deposit & Refund

• Security deposit is due with the Enrollment Application and the housing fee is due 10 days prior to the start of class to reserve accommodations.

• If a student cannot attend the class in which he or she is registered, housing fees and deposits are refundable.

• Once a student moves into the facilities, no fees will be refunded except the $50 security deposit, and that within 30 days after the inspection of the vacated room.

• In the event any student does damage to the accommodations,  he or she will be responsible for the replacement cost and labor required to repair the damaged Chapman School property.

• In the event the damage exceeds $50, the student will be responsible for the additional costs of repair.

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION

For those students who wish sail training or ASA certifications and cannot attend our regularly scheduled classes, we offer special programs planned just for you. 

Please contact the Registrar at the Chapman School for further assistance. Call us at 800-225-2841 or email us at registrar@chapman.org. The programs are customized so the cost and possible ASA levels offered will vary with the program you choose.

Zero Tolerance - Warning: No illegal drugs will be allowed on the training vessel at any time. Anyone found to have such drugs on their person or in their belongings aboard the vessel will be ordered off the boat at the nearest port. Tuition or any other fees previously paid by such a person(s) will not be refunded.

ENROLLMENT APPLICATION

1. Download the Enrollment Application

2. Complete, Print, and Sign

3. Fax to us at (772) 283-2019

Enrollment Application (pdf)