How many students will be in my class?

Typically, 2-4 students are in each class.  We allow up to five as maximum.  2 students are required to go forward with a class.  Almost all our classes go forward.  

Where will I sleep on board?

Gallivant has four sleeping areas.  There are two private double berths with a door located fore and aft, and two settees in the salon area that both convert into single berths. You can see them on the Our Fleet page.

The captain will sleep in one of the two settees in the salon area so he can get up to check the boat at night without disturbing anyone.  Students are assigned to the other three sleeping areas.  Couples are given priority to berth assignments.  If one student is a woman, then she would typically be assigned a private berth unless there are already couples assigned to the double berths.  In this case we have a curtain that can be put up between the two settees to ensure privacy. 

Since there are four places to sleep on board this means that three single students and a captain make up a full boat.  Note also that if there are couples there could be more students since a couple would share a double berth and there is still room for two singles and a captain.   If we have a full boat, then one student has to sleep in the starboard settee.  Note that there is a table dividing the port and starboard settees, so it is not like doubling students into a berth. 

Please note that Delmarva Sailing School does not double up single students into one double berth.  Many other sailing schools sometimes double single students into a double berth and put up a lee cloth down the middle.  Our policy of not doubling single students into a double berth is in line with our desire to keep the highest standards possible in our classes.  We believe that our sailing classes should maximize sailing education and be fun.

What will be included in terms of meals and beverages on board?

Sometimes the instructor will contact you prior to your class to discuss food preferences but in most cases, shortly after students arrive, students sit down with their instructor and decide what food and beverages should be purchased.   Learning what foods and beverages work out well on a boat is part of the class and an important part of learning to cruise.

In most cases students eat all or nearly all breakfasts and lunches on board.  Dinners are eaten off the boat in local restaurants unless there is no restaurant available.  In the event that a boat stays overnight at anchor or on a mooring ball where local shore-based dinner is unavailable, dinner will be planned, provisioned, and provided by the school.  Students are responsible for purchasing any meals in local restaurants. 

Lunches in many cases consist of sandwiches or wraps with lunchmeat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, etc.  Breakfasts often consist of hot or cold cereal, juice, eggs, and coffee or tea.  Most classes also want snacks like fruit, cookies, etc. and all of this is included.  Beverages include bottled water, soft drinks, juice, etc. 

All on board food and beverages for lunches and breakfasts are included with the following exceptions:

Per local laws, no alcohol will be purchased for students.  Alcoholic beverages are allowed to be consumed on board when we are not underway at the captain’s discretion but purchase of alcoholic beverages is not included in the beverage allowance.  Students who wish to drink alcoholic beverages should bring what they want to drink or plan to purchase it locally.  No alcoholic beverages are allowed while we are underway.

We feel that our budget for food and beverages is very generous and meets the needs of most students, however, if you have a special diet, or if you prefer extravagant foods which cost more, an additional charge for food and beverages may apply or you can bring your own food and beverages.

Do I get my money back if I must cancel a class? Do students get their money back if the school must cancel a class?

It is very unlikely that we will cancel a class but if we cancel a class then students can reschedule or receive a full refund minus the cost of the course materials. 

Full payment is due when students sign up for classes. 

Terms for ASA101, ASA103, ASA104, ASA106, ASA108, and ASA118 classes:  ff you cancel 30 days or more prior to the class start date, then we will refund 50% of your payment minus the cost of the course materials.  No refund will be given if you cancel the class less than 30 days from your class start date.

Terms for Home Studies: No refunds are given for ASA105 or 107 home studies.

By making payment for classes, you agree to accept our terms.

Some sailing schools require students to take an introductory class before taking ASA101.  Do I need to take an Introductory class before taking ASA101?

ASA created ASA101 Basic Keelboat Sailing as the introductory class for all new sailors.  Taking an introductory class to qualify for taking ASA101 is not required by ASA since ASA101 is ASA’s introductory class.  We do not understand the reason that some schools have for making students take an introductory class in order to prepare them to take an introductory class. 

How can I tell if Delmarva Sailing School is the best sailing school for me?

ASA requires that all ASA instructors at all ASA Sailing Schools complete the same Request for Certification Form for each student.  This form includes a checklist for on the water sailing skills that must be mastered in order to satisfy each ASA certification level.  The form also is where the written test result from the student taking the written test for each ASA certification level is recorded.  Even though all ASA Sailing Schools must complete the same on the water skills and knowledge, sometimes other sailing schools try to convince potential students that they are the best sailing school because they stretch out their classes over more days or because they charge more for the same learning content.  These sailing schools try to convince students that learning to sail is really difficult.  However in reality learning to sail is easy.  Many people learn to sail on their own without taking classes but learning to sail in our classes will speed up the learning process and make sure you learn how to do things correctly and safely.  It is easy to learn to sail if you have a knowledgeable instructor and excellent curriculum.  Our sailing classes have just the right amount of time to allow students to learn how to sail and also have a great time. 

In our opinion sailing Schools should be evaluated by how much students learn and their sailing ability after taking a class or classes. The proof is in the results. Due to our internally developed curriculum and highly experienced sailing instructors, our students have an average score since 2008 of 99% on ASA on the water skills and 97% in written ASA knowledge testing. 

We have the best sailing instructors available.  Our instructors have been selected by ASA for their highest award, the designation of “Outstanding Instructor” in 2009, 2012, 2018, 2020, and 2021.  Most sailing schools have no instructors who have won the ASA Outstanding Instructor award and operate without a curriculum, and you simply go out with one of their captains and at the end of the class you take the test. 

Some of our competitors indicate on their websites that they have Master Captains and/or Instructors, but no outside organization says they are Master Captains and/or Instructors.  Within the ASA system a Master Captain in an Instructor Evaluator who can certify instructors.  A Master captain within the US Coast Guard is a captain who has earned a US Coast Guard Masters license.  We currently have two Ocean Master Captains, which is the highest US Coast Guard license.  We also have an ASA certified Master Instructor, who is certified by ASA to certify instructors.  In our opinion, some of our competitors, so-called Master captains and/or instructors, are only called Master Captains and/or Instructors for marketing reasons. 

What happens if there are problems on the boat that require repair and possibly lost time under sail?

Although we spend a large amount in preventive maintenance on our sailboat, sailboats are very complex systems and problems of one type or another can happen.  Learning to deal with issues on the boat is normal and part of sailing.  Our experience has been that so long as the class goes forward students welcome the challenges provided by problems on the boat.  For example, if the dinghy starts leaking, the captain and students may need to stop and fix it using the dinghy repair kit on board our vessel.  The class would then continue on as normal after the repair is completed successfully.  Other examples could be given but in general if the class goes forward, and we have time to complete all the skills required in the ASA standard no refund would be given.

How to get to Delmarva Sailing School and where can I stay?

Students who are driving to Delmarva Sailing School in Rock Hall, MD can visit the Location page and get maps and an address for GPS.  Students who are traveling by air should fly to Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI), and rent a car to drive the 35 miles to Rock Hall, MD.  There is plenty of free parking at the Haven Harbor South marina where we are located.  Students typically arrive in the evening prior to their class, and spend the night on our training vessel Gallivant.  Students then also spend all nights during their classes on board Gallivant.  

Is it possible that I will have a different instructor than the one indicated when I signed up?

Although most classes go forward with the instructor listed on the schedule page of our website, we reserve the right to change the instructor at any time.  This is necessary sometimes due to illness, death in the family, scheduling conflicts, etc. 

What hotels are in the area?

Please visit the Location page to see a list of hotels, motels, and B & B Inns.\

Is tobacco allowed on our sailboat?

We do not permit smoking on our sailboat. We also do not allow chewing tobacco on our yacht.

Should I purchase travel insurance?

We realize that things happen such as trip cancellation, illness, death in the family, missing your flight, or other problems so we recommend students purchase travel insurance. If you choose not to purchase travel insurance, you are assuming any financial loss associated with your travel arrangements. To obtain travel insurance, contact your insurance agent or other insurer to ask about travel insurance plans. Please see below an insurer who offers travel insurance that can be customized for your needs.