We’re entering our 44th year of being a top sailing school in the World!
It’s Official! Spinnaker Sailing offers the lowest student to instructor ratio in the USA, only 2 students to 1 teacher on Basic Keelboat and 3 Students to 1 Teacher on Basic Coastal Cruising. We also have the youngest instructional fleet on the West Coast. Most schools are teaching on 50 year old boats, most of ours are less than 5 years old.
Our venerable Andrew’s 21’s offer a huge cockpit and a versatile sailplan that allows the boat to sail in the Bay’s blustery breezes with aplomb but equally important in the light zephyrs that are the norm during the morning hours. This allows the newly certified skipper to hone their skills with their crew in lighter winds when everything is easier but the boat still sails FAST!
Our Basic Coastal Cruising fleet of our incredible J/80’s are the perfect boat to sail in the Bay’s 20+ knot westerlies. On windy days they’ll even get up on the ’step,’ planning to speeds well over 10 knots!
We offer a unique take on the Bareboat Charter class (ASA 104 Intermediate Coastal Cruising) as our class is 4 full days that are itinerary driven. We teach on the fast and capable J/105 which is the perfect boat for sailing SF Bay.
Spinnaker Sailing is located at one of the Best Marinas on the West Coast, South Beach Harbor. This location is perfect as the breeze is fresh, the water is flat and it’s only 3 minutes from the boats berth to our teaching grounds…no long channels. The waters south of the Bay Bridge provide protection from the gusty breezes of the central Bay yet still offer winds in the 15-25 knot wind range, perfect for learning to sail on our performance instructional fleet.
South Beach is located in downtown San Francisco with plenty of easy parking and is centrally located in the famous San Francisco SOMA neighborhood. Dozens of restaurants, parks, and venues offer some fun ‘apres sailing’ options.
Our instructors are US Coast Guard Masters with dozens of years of teaching, sailing, and racing professionally. Many of our staff sail very actively on one or more racing programs throughout the West Coast. We offer a complete curriculum with a friendly and easy-going attitude. Sailing is huge fun…and so should learning TO sail!
We teach our students how to TEACH sailing. We are aware that upon graduation, they will be ambassadors of sailing. They won’t be taking seasoned sailors out with them…they’ll be taking family and friends, many of whom have never stepped on a boat before. We give our students the confidence and capability to safely sail on San Francisco Bay’s winds and currents with their loved ones, showing them the ropes and enjoying a fun adventure together.
Spinnaker Sailing is unique in our approach to boat ownership. We offer our Timeshare Sailing Program which has flat rates for 7 uses per month starting at only $599 mo (less than the cost of a berth). The boats are perfectly maintained and a delight to sail. There’s a maximum of 7 users per boat who treat her like she was their own. It’s as easy as showing up, going for a sail on a well-prepared, fully -serviced yacht, returning to a prime slip, hose her off, bus your trash and you’re done. We take care of all the nuances including regular detail cleaning, servicing the holding, fuel, and water tanks, and a full service regimen for the engine and all mechanical systems. Truly the best alternative to boat ownership!
Call Spinnaker Sailing – San Francisco to set up your lessons for the best first day of the rest of your life!
American Sailing Certifications Offered
Learn to skipper a 20' - 27' sloop-rigged keelboat by day, in light to moderate winds and sea conditions. Learn basic sailing terminology, parts and functions, helm commands, basic sail trim, points of sail, buoyage, seamanship and safety including basic navigation rules to avoid collisions and hazards.
Learn to skipper and crew aboard a sloop-rigged keelboat of approximately 20 to 30 feet in length by day in winds up to 20 knots. Depart, sail, and return with control demonstrating teamwork.
Learn to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered 25'-35' keelboat by day in moderate winds and sea conditions. Learn cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather, safety and seamanship.
Learn how to sail a sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered 30'-45' sailboat during a multi-day cruise upon inland/coastal waters in moderate/heavy winds and sea conditions. Learn about provisioning, boat systems, auxiliary engines, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation, anchoring / mooring, docking, emergency operations, weather, and more.
Learn the the navigational theory and practices for safe navigation of a sailing vessel in coastal and inland waters. On-water coastal navigation skills elements are contained in the ASA103, Basic Coastal Cruising, ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising, and ASA 106, Advanced Coastal Cruising, in progressively increasing levels of detail.
Learn to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailing vessel about 30 to 50 feet in length in coastal and inland waters, in any conditions.
Learn to apply basic celestial navigation theory and practice to determine latitude and longitude at sea using a sextant and Nautical Almanac.
The successful sailor will have the knowledge and skills to safely and competently dock and maneuver a sailboat under auxiliary power in a variety of conditions. Includes knowledge of steering and propulsion theory, wind and current, single and double-rudder monohulls, catamarans, safety precautions, knots and line handling, fixed and floating docks.
Learn to observe and forecast weather conditions using traditional maritime skills and modern technology. Knowledge of weather information for planning and adapting navigation during short duration and extended voyages.
Learn to properly use small-craft radar (or radar simulator) for piloting, navigation, and collision avoidance. Knowledge of radar principles and practical matters of radar operation.
Other Services Available
- Women Only Courses
- Couples Courses
- Private Courses
- Weekday Courses
- Weekend Courses
- Corporate Team Building Courses
- ASA 'Challenges'
- Day Sail Charters (public)
- Day Sail Charters (member-only)
- Sunset Cruises
- Racing Courses
- Sail Trim Courses
Promotions
ASA Veterans Sailing Education Program - Sign Up Now >>
At ASA we recognize the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have served or are serving in our country's armed forces. As a token of our appreciation, and our way of saying thank you, we are inviting veterans and active military personnel to share our passion for sailing by offering a discount on our ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing course. Spinnaker Sailing – San Francisco is offering a minimum of $50.00 or 10% off their ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing course.
Sailing School Reviews / Testimonials
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Compared to other places, the sailboat was great. It was an excellent size and very receptive. The communication from the office was great as far as booking, reminders and any questions you had. Totally worth it and I would recommend it.
Saar H. - Aug 2020 - Spinnaker Sailing – San Francisco
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I have had 4 instructors thus far, all were great, Garret and Steve were awesome and stood out to me. They were both super technical and really helped me feel comfortable on my own. Been bareboat chartering since I finished classes!
Casey M. - Sept 2020 - Spinnaker Sailing – San Francisco
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Thank you so much for all your instruction this weekend. You really ignited our love of sailing - something we've been wanting to do for such a long time. We couldn't have asked for a better teacher to help us.[read more]
Katie & Dustin - July 2020 - Spinnaker Sailing – San Francisco
Contact Information
Spinnaker Sailing – San Francisco |
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Address | Pier 40, Suite 4, South Beach HarborSan FranciscoCA94107United States |
Phone | (415) 543-7333 |
Website | www.spinnaker-sailing.com |
Social Media |